Easy WFH or In-Office Snack and Lunch Ideas

You have probably heard countless times of how important it is to eat healthy. Whether you see it through a commercial, or through an article in the newspaper, many individuals are well-aware of how important it is to keep track of their diets to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

However, life commitments can get to the best of us. From busy careers, to family obligations, these daily rounds of life can take a toll on the overall health of many people. Although health covers a wide spectrum of categories such as mental health and physical health, one particular aspect that a busy schedule can affect are the diets of individuals which has the potential to also influence both your mental and physical health.

Now think back to when you still had to go to the office everyday during the weekday to go to work.

Prior to the pandemic, many individuals had a set schedule with their routines at work. But when it comes to eating your meals or snacking during work hours, how did you do it? Were you committed to packing your lunch and eating what you had brought? Or did you regularly purchase your food from stores closeby to your office?

Although you may have done both from time to time, how concerned were you about the type of foods that you were eating on a regular basis? Like many others, you may fall into the category of individuals who may just eat whatever is the most convenient for them to accommodate their busy schedule. This could be picking something up from the local fast-food restaurant, or packing up something at home and bringing it to work.

With some individuals returning back to the office, others may continue working from home which could reduce the temptation of getting unhealthy food, but it’s not a guarantee. Whether you are working from home, or returning to the office, maintaining a healthy diet is important for a number of different reasons, and this blog will explore the key reasons why.

Why Healthy Eating is Important

When you eat your meals, how many times do you consult the food guide to know whether or not you are getting the right amount of vitamins and nutrients?

Canada’s Food Guide has a set recommendation on the daily intake of certain food groups. Despite the availability of this resource, many Canadians are still failing to meet its recommendations. A study by Statistics Canada found that the eating habits of Canadians are continuing to deteriorate, and as a result, the rate of overweightness is continuing to increase.

Unhealthy eating is one of the main sources attributed to chronic diseases, and Statistics Canada noted that 89% of all deaths are as a result of these said diseases. This shocking figure does not even attribute the $80 billion in annual health care costs that are directly linked to these diseases in Canada.

While this only looks at Canada, a study conducted by The Lancet found that 11 million deaths were attributed to dietary risk factors worldwide in 2017.

Knowing the dangers associated with unhealthy eating and having a poor diet, it is important to then look at the benefits of healthy eating. Consider some of these two important points which also weigh in on the context of how healthy eating can benefit you while being in the workplace.

Boosting Your Productivity: Certain food types are better suited in increasing your energy levels, which can also be effective in increasing your productivity. You may have probably experienced in the past how after consuming junk food, you may get an initial boost of energy due to its levels of simple carbohydrates, but then you experience a sluggish feeling afterwards. There is actually an explanation to this, and it is attributed to the foods that you consume. An article by Harvard Medical School noted that there is a direct relationship between the type of foods that you eat and how it can affect your energy.

Improving Your Overall Wellness: As previously mentioned, having an unhealthy diet can increase your risk in gaining chronic diseases. Given the toll that these diseases can take on your health, it can be prevented by choosing to adopt a healthy diet that will also help in improving your wellness as a whole. Another article by Harvard Medical School indicated the relationship between mental health problems and a diet composed of sugar-sweetened drinks. This suggests that the type of foods that you eat will not only influence your mood, but the type of foods that you consume will also directly affect your body. A healthy diet can be important in maintaining your health, which can also have an effect on your body as you continue to age.

Healthy Snack and Lunch Ideas

While maintaining a healthy diet is certainly important, it can require a lot of work and preparation. Since not everyone may have the luxury of time to conduct thorough research to create healthy and substantial meals, Well Street’s seminar titled “Eating on the Run: Easy, Healthy Office Snacks & Lunches” can provide individuals with an idea of food that they can prepare to accommodate their busy lifestyles.

These recipe ideas are derived from our seminar to give you an idea of how healthy eating can be possible, no matter how busy your schedule may be.

For a quick and easy breakfast that is packed with nutrients, consider a smoothie that will be ideal for consumption, whether you are on the way to the office, or just getting started on working from home.

RECIPE: Healthy Smoothie Recipe

• 1 cup of spinach / kale
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• ½ avocado
• 1 cup of frozen/fresh mixed berries
• 2 tbsp of ground flax
• ½ cup fresh pressed orange juice
• 2 tbsp of Greek yogurt

For lunch, put a twist to your favourite salad by making it more exciting, while also reaping its healthy benefits.

RECIPE: Simple Grapefruit & Parmesan Salad

Base:

• Arugula

Toppings:

• Shaved Parmesan
• Grapefruit Wedges

Dressing:

• Olive Oil
• Grapefruit Juice (post-wedging)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Now for a snack, think creatively and make use of simple dips to give yourself a little pick-me up.

IDEA: Veggies and Dip

Optional vegetables to use:

• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks
• Cucumber slices

Optionable dips to use:

• Hummus
• Baba Ganoush
• Guacamole

Learn more about the importance of healthy eating, and get more easy and healthy recipes to fit your busy schedule by booking a seminar with Well Street!

About Well Street

At Well Street, we are founded on the principles of introducing healthy practices to the workplace, which encompasses both mental and physical health. Comprised of medical professionals who have a background in naturopathy, we aim to help organizations foster a healthy corporate environment in order to boost productivity and morale.

If you would like to learn more about how our team can help you or your company, consider contacting us to find out more. We are happy to provide you with guidelines and approaches to support the wellbeing of your team members through virtual seminars and programs.