You’re hard at work to meet a deadline on a project when you suddenly realise you haven’t eaten anything the whole day. Or maybe you’re catching up on e-mails and grabbed a few crisps until you’ve consumed the entire bag.
When you’re distracted or in a rush, it can be challenging to keep your food intake in check. That is especially true when you’re working from home. The kitchen and the refrigerator are only a few steps away, making it easily tempting to reach for a snack. What’s more, health experts say that people are more likely to eat unhealthy when they’re alone. This habit can affect not just your health but also your productivity.
Don’t slack off on your nutrition even if no one’s watching. Below, we listed ways to eat healthier and better while you’re working from home.
1. Have a filling breakfast
Any professional with a diploma in nutrition can tell you this: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Doing so supplies you with the energy you need to work on your tasks. What’s more, eating breakfast means you won’t get distracted by a growling stomach by mid-morning.
2. Don’t work in or near the kitchen
It’s easier to feed into temptation when the source of it is within your sight and reach. Working in the kitchen means you have easy access to food, so you might get tempted to binge on them while working. Next thing you know, you’ve polished off an entire batch of cookies. Instead, set up your working area in your room or stay in your home office. This way, you aren’t distracted by the call of the fridge.
3. Do meal prep
One of the best ways to avoid eating unhealthy is to have your meals prepared. Doing meal prep means you’re consciously taking charge of what you’ll eat, so you can avoid ordering food or cooking something quick but unhealthy. Fortunately, there are tons of recipes you can cook and freeze, ready to be popped into the microwave when it’s time to eat them.
4. Snack on healthy food
When it comes to bad eating habits, snacks are usually the main culprit. But keep in mind that while munching on a bag of crisps is effortless, it’s also extremely unhealthy. If you want to chew on something while working, try opting for healthy snacks, such as apple slices, celery sticks, or mixed nuts, if you’re not allergic. These can satisfy your craving while still giving you the nutrients you need.
5. Stay hydrated
While working, coffee or tea tends to become the beverage of choice. And while they’re good to consume in moderation, enough to keep you awake with caffeine, you can’t forget to drink water as well. Always make sure you have a glass of water beside you. Dehydration can lead to headaches and fatigue, which can affect your productivity.
Eating healthy while working at home takes a little extra self-control. After all, there might be no one to hold you accountable when you overeat or devour unhealthy snacks. But it doesn’t mean doing so is impossible. Practice the pointers above every day, and you’ll be one step closer to creating healthy eating habits.
