Our work is our identity. We get recognized by what we do! Our designation and "chair" earn us our position in the society. And it has a cost! We need to dedicate the maximum hours of the day in our office while running after targets or work goals. With this typical "sincere" mindset, we choose to compromise on our health. And we receive acidity, indigestion, constipation, stress, high blood pressure, diabetes, stomach diseases like peptic ulcer, irritable bowel disease as the "perks". And it is also not very unusual to be diagnosed with a heart disease at a very young age.
Turning up to a doctor or a dietician will make you learn the importance of incorporating mini-meals in between the main meals. Sometimes we don't care about it and just let it pass, but others who are really worried about their health should try to find out how they can implement it practically. Here is a list of healthy food items that are easy to keep at the workstation:
- Green Tea: The benefits of green tea are not unknown to us. Rich in antioxidants, it has proven to be useful against several health conditions including cancer, cardiac problems, diabetes and dental disorders, but it also helps in increasing our immunity and fighting stress by cooling our nerves and brain cells. It also increases the metabolic rate and thus helps in weight loss. It is also believed to promote skin health. Better than the regular tea, this can be easily kept available at your workstation. You can store the green tea bags in your drawer. And when you feel like sipping into a cup of green tea, just dip a bag in a cup of hot water!
- Roasted Almonds and Walnuts: Both these nuts are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. They do not only control acidity when taken during mid times, but also help you in increasing your concentration at work. Both almonds and walnuts are mood enhancers and help in improving your skin texture as well as in fighting stress. You can easily store the nuts in an airtight container and keep it in your drawer. Just make sure you store it in a limited quantity as they can turn rancid if stored for a very long period.
- Roasted Soybean / Roasted Channa: The benefits of soybean are many. Soybeans as well as channas, when roasted and stored in an airtight container, serve as a great mid time snack. These are low in calorie and have good amount of protein and soluble fiber, both of which are essential for maintaining your weight and keeping stomach problems at bay. The essential amino acids present in both the nuts serve as a good brain food and improve your concentration at work.
- Fruits: These super foods come with all the goodness of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals! Fruits are refreshing and rejuvenating and you cannot find a better mid-meal snack item especially if you are always under work pressure. Fruits are instant refreshers and stress busters. The presence of soluble and insoluble fiber complete the reason of their intake.
- Oat Cookies: Oats are famous for their soluble and insoluble fiber content which helps in protecting against stomach ailments, cancers, cardiac problems, high blood sugar and blood pressure conditions. It is an energy booster and helps in improving digestion and tackles stress. The best way to avail its benefit is by having it in mid-meal and cookies can be easily stored in the office drawer. You can have it whenever you feel like. The multiple benefits of oats make it a wonderful and energy packed snack especially at the workstation.
- Multigrain Biscuits: This has the goodness of all the grains in combination and its benefits are somewhat similar to oat cookies. They are good when you need a change in taste.
- Popcorn: If you are one of those who have a habit of working while on food, there can be no better option than popcorn! It will be healthier when you pop it at home rather than buying the readymade ones from the market. This can allow you to avoid excessive fat which is used to add taste to these popcorns. Simply air pop your corn and add a little salt to it, this way the corns will be low in fat and high in fiber, and a very good filler for your stomach.
- Dark Chocolate: Although chocolates are considered to be sinful, dark chocolates have some benefits over milk chocolates and are good if eaten once in a while. Dark chocolates improve your blood circulation and manage high blood pressure. They treat depression and are good stress busters on account of their antioxidant content.
Machines too need fuels, lubrication and rest to keep running and delivering services. And we, as machine built with flesh and blood will definitely need input of healthy fuels from time to time. The world is running for food and no work or profession can be good for you if it does not allow you take food!
