Our Experts | Emma Krumlauf
It can be tough to find the time and energy to exercise every day before or after work- but simply eating the right foods can help get you on track to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Don’t think of the word “diet” as a restriction, but as the the kinds of food that one eats.
When I first starting moving towards a healthier lifestyle, I didn’t tell myself I couldn’t eat chocolate cake, Doritos and pizza. I would just tell myself to eat more fruits, veggies and chicken so that I was too full to eat unhealthy foods. When I had a craving to snack, I would reach for an apple or banana rather than the bag of chips. I would think of the quote: “ If you’re not hungry enough to eat an apple then you’re not hungry at all – you’re bored.”
Eating healthy is a must since I’m no longer on my feet moving around for my whole shift. At first packing my lunch every day seemed like a hassle, but after searching on Pinterest I found quick, easy and healthy options.
Below are some of my personal favorites that I pack in my lunch.
Turkey Lettuce Wraps – So simple and so delicious. Just roll up a few slices of turkey in lettuce leaves and you’re done. Here, is a great recipe where they use hummus and cucumbers as add-ons.
Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad – This works as an easy alternative for a salad or as a side.
Step 1 – Cut up avocado, Roma tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion (optional) and place in a mixing bowl.
Step 2 – Mix together in a separate bowl: fresh cilantro (about ¼ cup), juice of a lemon, salt & pepper to taste, with 2 tbsp. olive oil.
Step 3- Toss avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions in mixture and enjoy!
Tuna-Stuffed Avocado – A healthy and spicy alternative to a regular, boring tuna salad.
Step 1 – Cut avocado in half, remove pit and scoop out some avocado to create a “bowl”.
Step 2 – Place scooped avocado in a bowl and mash it up. Then add in drained tuna, with a chopped bell pepper, fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
Step 3- Scoop tuna mixture into the avocado bowl and enjoy!
Check out our Pinterest board here for easy and healthy snacks to make for work or at home.
Quick Tips
Dress up your salad -Having just lettuce and maybe a carrot or two will do more harm than good as you will most likely still be hungry after eating almost nothing. Add in fruits, veggies, and seeds/nuts to help dress it up. Hard boiled eggs are a great source of protein and pair well with any salad.
Just be careful with the type and amount of dressing you use since most contain a ton of trans fat, sodium and sugar.
Eat more good fat – Yes I said it, eat more fat! Why? Foods high in fat help you feel fuller longer so it keeps you satisfied long after your last bite. Foods like almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, avocados and salmon are high in good fats.
It’s all about portions – Watching the portions you eat is one of the most important things when switching to a healthier diet. Just because it’s healthier doesn’t mean you should eat four servings of it. If you’re switching eating habits to help aid with weight loss, try eating six small meals a day as opposed to three large ones.
When shifting your eating habits, remember to stick with it! Whether it’s for weight loss or the health of it, it’s going to take more than a week to feel and see the changes it makes. For me it took close to a month or so to feel the impact it had on the way I was digesting food. I felt great with my stomach barely ever hurting and had more energy to workout after work. I also started craving a nice fresh spinach salad when I was hungry as opposed to a burger with fries.
If you’re like me and have a sedentary job sitting at your desk for 8 hours a day, working out before or after work is almost a must to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. But there are still ways to be active at your desk. Check out our blog Get Fit Not Fat at Your Desk, where we talk about easy deskercises you can do while working.