Credits: Social Media
Snacking is a work from home essential, but only if you do it right
Snacking while working from home is essential to get through the day, but there is also the concern that constant eating could contribute to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Before the pandemic, only 5.7% of Americans worked from home. That increased to 17.9% in just two years, accounting for an increase of 19 million workers. But with so many bodies in the comfort of their own homes, and closer to the fridge, snacking throughout the day has undoubtedly increased for the average Joe.
Dont just use breaks to eat
Its understood that, when working at a desk, you should stand up for 10 minutes every hour. For me, that usually means getting a snack, going to the toilet or filling up my drinks bottle. As such, I can get through snacks pretty quickly throughout the day, especially if they are readily available following a food shop.�
Only recently have I begun to use those little breaks for other things that dont involve chowing down. Fussing my dogs, taking rubbish out or wiping down the countertops are really simple ways to ensure you arent filling up those 10 minutes by filling your mouth.
Pack lunch in advance
If you spend enough time on TikTok or know enough gym bros, then youll have heard (to death) of meal-prepping. While some take the practice to the extreme – preparing food for weeks in advance – spending a little time to make yourself a nice lunch is a great way to feel excited for your lunch break.�
Yes, it does seem a little silly to prepare a lunch box when the kitchen is just a few metres away, but it really does work. It also means that you can spend your break doing something other than cooking.
Substitute snacks when working from home
Despite what some health influencers would have you believe, there is nothing wrong with snacking. Its all about what you are snacking on. Weve all been guilty of demolishing a share bag of crisps in five minutes, but substituting can help with negating that food shame and keeping your stomach full.
However, it is also important to be realistic. Swapping junk for healthier options is great but, if its not sustainable in the long term, then its ultimately pointless. Im finding that my middle ground is combining healthy options with a fun element, like veg sticks and a spicy dip, or smoothies instead of whole fruit. Finding what works for you is always better than trying to force yourself to replicate another persons success.�
Dont eat at your desk
While multitasking is undeniably a good thing, combining work and food at your desk might actually be detrimental in the long term when working from home.
This is because, as Professor Andr� Spicer told Wired: Meal breaks are a time where you are able to refresh your attention. If you don’t take a break in which you go away from your actual place where you’re working, you’re not able to get a boost in attention. Meal breaks basically allow us a productivity refresh.”
