How to eat healthy and balanced at the office?

How to eat healthy and balanced at the office?

 
Adopting healthy eating habits is essential to achieve a balanced life. That said, eating healthy in the office can be a challenge. It can be hard to resist the temptation to grab a bite to eat during lunch hour. Preparing a healthy lunch box goes a long way towards a healthy and balanced diet, in addition to reducing expenses.

A survey on financial health and well-being, conducted in 2018 by Desjardins Insurance among approximately 3,000 Canadians, reveals the following:

63% of respondents
say they avoid eating out or buying ready-to-go meals.
This healthy habit starts with budgeting for groceries that includes purchasing enough healthy foods for your office lunch boxes. But how do you plan the coup properly? Here are some tips to inspire you to eat healthy in the office without breaking the bank.

Where to start to eat healthy?

Make sure you include all of the essential nutrients for a balanced meal. Your lunch should contain half a portion of fruits and vegetables, a source of quality protein (eggs, cheese, meat, legumes or tofu) as well as whole grains (pasta, whole grain bread, brown rice).
Avoid frozen or prepared meals, as these are very salty, very sweet and not very nutritious.
Beware of single serving products as they are high in sodium and sugar. They may be convenient, but they are not the best solution for your health, the environment or your budget.
Have "emergency" foods in your pantry and refrigerator at all times - like whole grain pasta, frozen vegetables, canned tuna, or eggs for a sandwich. We suggest a list of basic ingredients to have at home so that you are always ready.
What should I prepare for my healthy lunch box?

Reinvent your sandwich! Change the filling, spread or even bread. Experiment by combining different ingredients like peanut butter and apples.
Vary your menu. Prepare a meal with bites like healthy crackers, raw vegetables, hummus, fruit and cheese cubes.
Enjoy the leftovers from the day before. Cook a double portion for the evening meal and bring leftover soup, pasta, salad or stir-fry in your lunch box.
Cook your lunches ahead of time. Plan for the week ahead by finding new recipes and cooking meals to enjoy on the following days.
Choose healthy snacks that you can keep at your desk, like crackers, dried fruit, or nuts. You can even make your own backpacker's mix.
You are now ready to prepare healthy, tasty and varied lunches, while reducing your expenses. This will keep you motivated to stay healthy all week!