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Society is currently speeding up due to fast schedules, high levels of professional expectation and high production requirements. Life in the fast lane, if not managed correctly, can lead to an inherent breakdown if you don’t take some time to relax, refuel and focus.
The Millennium Institute of Sport and Health Workplace Health programs recognise this by promoting good nutrition practices. So when you find you are too busy and your eating practices slip, what are some good nutrition strategies you can put in place?
- Start your day with a good breakfast- without fail! This meal provides valuable nutrients and energy to kick-start your day. If you miss this meal, you are more likely to have depressed energy and concentration levels and eat sporadically later in the day. Even if it’s just a yoghurt and banana on the go, give it a go!
- Aim for regular meals through the day, leave your desk to eat and go easy on caffeine.
- Keep some easy, healthy snacks on hand at work. Tin soups, muesli bars, nuts and fruit are great things to keep in your draws for when you get the munchies. Frozen meals, toast, baked beans or spaghetti can also be kept at work for larger meals.
- You can still have a varied, healthy diet which includes convenience products. Make good use of pasta sauces and meal-mixes for your main meals and add some meat, carbohydrate containing foods and lots of vegetables (and there’s nothing wrong with frozen).
- If all else fails and you need to grab a take-away, there are healthy options. Enjoy chicken, ham or salad rolls and wraps, sushi, grilled fish and salad, hamburgers with plenty of salad (skip the fries), Asian stir-fry or rice dishes (non-cream based) and chicken or beef salads.
The Millennium Institute of Sport and Health can discuss further nutrition strategies for your workplace. We also keep in mind that a holistic approach is required to maintain good health when you spend so much time “in the fast lane!”
By Kristen MacKenzie, Health and Nutrition Consultant, Millennium Institute of Sport & Health kmackenzie@institutesporthealth.org.nz
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