WORKING FROM HOME - SNACKING
Over the past year, the, people have been working from home more so then ever before. While some people are choosing to go back to the office, plenty are opting to keep the WFH life going. Working from home has plenty of benefits…it saves time and money, there’s no commute involved, and a fully stocked kitchen is never too far away. But being in such close proximity to your kitchen can lead to a little more snacking then your used to as you look for reasons to take breaks and find distractions throughout the day. By taking a little extra time to commit to your snack-time, you can insure that you’ll be clear headed, satisfied and energized to continue on with your work day.
Plan & Prep
You might not be a fan of meal-prep, but there’s no denying the benefits of snack prepping. Setting aside the time to prep some of your favourite snacks will take the guess work out of what to have when the snacking mood kicks in, while making sure that you’re reaching for nourishing foods that are minimally processed, healthful and delicious. Try stocking your fridge with your favourite fruits and fresh cut veggies, make your own trail mix with raw nuts, seeds and dried fruit, make your own protein balls or bars, or even blend up some fresh hummus for dipping fresh veggies and crackers into.
Fat, Fibre & Protein
When thinking about what to snack on, try and focus on things that include protein, fat and/or fibre. These 3 nutrients are filling, satiating, and will help balance your blood sugar so that you actually feel full after your snack, instead of feeling hungry again 20 minutes later. Some of our favourites would be a quick protein smoothie, hummus with veggies and crackers, an apple with nut butter and cinnamon or even a couple jammy eggs with hot sauce.
Hydrate
Always make sure your hydrating enough throughout the day, because our bodies aren’t the best a differentiating between hunger and thirst. If you struggle with drinking water, try and spice things up a little with different herbal teas, water infusions using fruit, citrus, mint and cucumber, or reach for a sparkling mineral water with a squeezed of lemon if your prefer something fizzy.
Set the Mood
Give yourself time to actually sit and enjoy your snack. Once hunger pops up, turn of your work (or better yet leave your desk), and take a moment to breath and feel gratitude for your food. If you’re present and calm with your food, you’ll be able to enjoy it way more and actually feel satisfied once it’s done. Commit to the snack break, not just shovelling food in your mouth while going over documents or during a conference call.
Julia Gibson is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, functional foods recipe developer, and write currently based in Toronto. She hopes to inspire and empower others by creating nourishing foods, living a sustainable life, promoting holistic healing and sharing thoughtful writing.