Eating 9-5: how to eat well at work
Many of us spend a significant amount of time at work. Whether you work weekdays from nine to five, or shift work, it can be a challenge to make healthy food choices in the workplace. This month I will share some tasty tips that will help make planning workday meals a breeze!
Brown bag it
Save money and time by bringing lunch from home.
● Plan lunch items on your grocery list so you have them on hand.
● Pack your lunch the night before when you are less rushed.
● Take foods from three of the four food groups in Canada’s Food Guide (the four food groups are vegetables and fruit, grain products, meat and alternatives and milk and alternatives).
Directions:
1. Place coconut in a dry frying pan and heat on low until it starts to turn golden brown.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
3. Roll into 1-inch balls and put in fridge until serving.
Nutrition Information per Serving:
● Choose different items so you don’t get bored.
Build a better sandwich
● Use different whole grains for your sandwich (breads, bagels, tortillas, pitas or rolls).
● Jazz up sandwiches with honey mustard or salsa.
● Have some protein to keep Calories 86
Fat 6 grams Carbohydrate 11 grams
Fibre 2 grams
Protein 3 grams
Sodium 21 milligrams
Tip: Replace the coconut and peanut spread with any nut butter. Source: Sobeys Dietitians
you full. Choose nuts, seeds, nut butters, hummus, canned fish, meat, eggs or cheese.
Vibrant veggies
Add flavour with vegetables or fruit. Put them in containers and add to your sandwich just before eating. You can also have them on the side. Try purchasing pre-cut vegetables and fruit to save time.
● Cucumber, celery, peppers, tomatoes or grated carrot
● Lettuce, salads or coleslaw
● Cut-up apples or grapes
Lively leftovers
Get out of the sandwich rut by having leftovers. Try chili, vegetable soup, spaghetti, baked beans, pizza, casseroles or stir fries.
Variety is the spice of life
Make lunch interesting by combining small items. Here are some ideas:
● Pancakes, fruit and yogurt
● Melba toast, cheese and grape tomatoes
● Pasta salad, canned fish, milk and fruit
● Hard cooked egg, whole wheat crackers and yogurt
● Pita, hummus and veggies
● Whole wheat tortilla, nut butter and banana
Save room for snacks
Small snacks give you energy for a busy day.
● Have a snack if there are more than three to five hours between your meals.
● Put snacks on your grocery list so you have healthy items on hand.
● Have snacks with one or two food groups depending on the amount of time between your meals. You may not need full servings.
Nutrition events
Did you know? Sobeys Pharmacy Dietitians offer a variety of free nutrition classes and one-one counselling. Join Jayme’s taco taste and learn class to learn how to reduce sodium and fat on March 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sobeys Aberdeen.
To register or for more information call 902-755-3645 or email jayme.saint@sobeys. com.
Hungry for more? Like @ SobeysDietitian on Facebook and Twitter for more tasty tips & recipes or receive our schedule of events and Healthy Bits & Bites Newsletter directly to your inbox!
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