Just the other day, I was at a client’s office and used their break room to refill my water bottle. I looked around and noticed that there weren’t snack food items around. There were some stale bagels and a fridge full of soda.
I thought to myself: Where is the fruit bowl? Where are the healthy snacks? What do people snack on when they need a quick pick-me-up?
Prepare snacks ahead of time for healthier options throughout your work day!
Then, one of the team members returned to the training room with a yummy nut mixture and a piece of fruit. She told me that she keeps healthy snacks at her desk that she likes because she doesn’t want to rely on what the company has to offer.
I thought to myself: Way to go, sister! Way to own your own health needs!
A few other employees emerged with their own snacks as well. Some, not as healthy as others.
When it comes to food, we all need to eat. I always say: Good fuel = good work! It really makes a difference to your work, what you’re putting in your mouth.
Think about how your body feels bad after eating a doughnut, or chugging a soda, or chowing down on some salty chips. It doesn’t feel great… and then your mind doesn’t feel great either! So, how are you supposed to get good work from yourself if you’re putting bad food into it?! You’d never put bad fuel into your car, would you?
Here are a few tips for effectively fueling yourself in order to have a great work day: (keep in mind that I’m not a doctor, nor a nutritionist, these are just tips and techniques I’ve picked up over the years)
- Pay attention to how your body feels after you eat something. If that large beef burrito smothered in chile verde sauce makes you want to take a nap as soon as you’re back to the office, it might not be the best lunch idea. What foods seem to keep you going strong through the second half of the day?
- Drink lots of water. Soda is about one of the most evil things out there. There are so many bad toxins in soda that I can’t believe it’s legal – especially diet sodas. Seriously. Look into the effects of chemicals that make a diet soda and you’ll start to think twice about putting it into your bodies. Get a cool water bottle that you love. If you love it, you’ll haul it around and drink more water too! How much water do you drink in a day?
- Have healthy snacks at your desk for a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. You’re going to get hungry, it’s natural. So, get healthy snacks to keep on hand at your desk. I prefer unsalted, raw nuts for a good protein. Dried fruits are yummy for a chewy snack that’s a little sweet too. Fresh fruit is always my favorite snack, so I tend to keep sliced apples with me everywhere I go. Pita chips with veggies and hummus gives me variety and lots of flavor. What are your favorite healthy snacks?
- Easy to use containers make healthy snacking so much easier. I’ve found that having some fun, small containers on hand allows me to prepare and bring snacks with me in a quick and easy way. If it’s too complicated, I won’t do it. How can you bring snacks to work that is easiest for you?
- Participate in the food selection for the office. We’ve all heard the saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease!”, so if you notice that there aren’t enough healthy snacks in the work break room, ask if you can help with the next Costco run. The office manager may really appreciate the help and additional ideas. How can you help the company have healthier snacks on hand?
Seriously, a little bit of preparation will make a huge difference on better food options at the office. At the end of the day, it’s your career, so how do you want to feel in order to give your best work?
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