(ARCHIVE) National Nutrition Month at Work

We’ve reached yet another national nutrition month. The 2012 theme is – Get your plate in shape! March is almost done but that is no excuse not to engage the month to assess the current state of your nutrition.

There is no better way to support and promote nutrition than in the workplace. Celebrate big and plan activities to support your wellness program. Take small steps and send a weekly email or administer material that provides FYI nutrition and diet information.

Healthy eating and living provide us with these benefits:

Reducing the risk of heart disease and some cancers

Better mood, more energy, elevated self-esteem

Lower levels of stress and anxiety

More time to build and create healthy experiences and relationship – living a better quality of life

Whatever your efforts this month – let us help! Each Friday this month we will bring you information and ideas sure to enhance your dietary health at work and home.

Lunch at Work

This meal is often where we fall off the healthy eating horse – OR – stands to be the only time we operate under healthy eating principles. How can we make lunch healthier?

Yes, Make Your Own

It may seem like a tedious task but once you make this a habit, it will come natural. What are the benefits to you?

Costs less than eating out

You control what goes into the food you eat

You control your portion sizes

You’re eating exactly what you want

Many people find bringing their own lunch to be challenging long term goal. One reason for the challenge may be that we grow tired of eating the same things. We suggest you mix it up! Change your bread include different dips, dressings, and sauces. Consider cooking a great dinner that will make a fabulous lunch at work.

Protect Your Food

Taking your lunch involves introducing your food and possibly beverages to different environments. Keeping you food clean and safe should be a focus. Utilize your office fridge and if that doesn’t exist invest in insulated frozen bags. Remember, things that should be eaten hot really need to be eaten hot – and things that should be enjoyed cool really need to stay at a cool temperature.

Prepare Your Meal Time

Preparing your lunchtime mean is not just about the food. What is the food in? Do you have the condiments you want? Do you have everything necessary to enjoy your health lunch from start to finish? Invest in items that keep you food together and safe. Obtaining customized lunch bags will allow you to include all those extras (variety) that make you glad you brought your own lunch!

Lunch & Menus

We know, ‘What do menus have to do with bringing your own lunch. Well we can thing of two things:

1. When you go grocery shopping create obtain items that allow you to give yourself a lunch menu. Having a different lunch each day of the week will keep bringing your own lunch from becoming a mundane event. It may even help you to post your own menu so you know what to prepare for yourself. You’re mostly likely to find success in creating your own lunch if you plan and prepare ahead of time.

2. We know it may be challenging or simply not feasible for you to create and take lunch to your workplace. If eating out is a must create your own Menu of Menus. Collect menus from places you like and that have a variety of healthier options. When lunch rolls around let your Menu of Menus guide you, not those temptations that hunger can bring.

Famous Weekend Birthdays

Today . . . . Jerry Lewis, comedian & actor, would have been 86 (1926)

Erik Estrada, officer Poncherello on CHiPs (1949), will turn 63 (1949)

Saturday . . .Nat “King” Cole, iconic vocalists, would have been 92 years old (1919)

Kurt Russell, popular actor, will turn 60 (1951)

Sunday . . . Vanessa Williams, former Miss American, actress, & vocalists, will turn 48 (1963)

Ada Levine, singer and musician from Maroon 5, will turn 32 (1979)