Gearing up for workplace wellbeing day – it’s not too late to do something…

Gearing up for workplace wellbeing day – it’s not too late to do something….. If you do one thing this week – make snack choices in the lead up to WWB Day on 27^th.

Snacking is an important part of our diet. But there are two things to remember about ‘snacking’. Firstly, these snacks are only meant to be eaten in between your three regular meals. Snacking is not a substitute for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Secondly, the type of snack you choose is vital. Be mindful of how much fruit you consume daily. Fruit contains a lot of natural sugars and fruits like bananas and pineapple are high in natural sugar. These would be a good snack to have after a workout instead. Focus more on filling your “5-a-day” with vegetables and if you are having a shake then load it with vegetables rather than fruits where possible.

Be careful of the high quantity of sugar in cereals like granola and muesli too. While they are classed as ‘healthier’ options, they can sometimes be full of calories.

Nuts and seeds are an important part of a healthy diet. They contain energy and protein and are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They also contain Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Good choices of nuts include: almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts. In relation to seeds: flax seed, chia seeds, pumpkin and sesame seeds. If you find eating nuts and seeds difficult then add them to your cereal, protein shake etc. I add almonds and sesame seeds to my porridge every morning. Be careful of any nuts that are roasted or salted, especially cashew nuts and peanuts. They contain high levels of calories. Like most foods, portion control is important for any nuts/seeds.

Sweet potato is a healthy alternative to other carbohydrates. Slice it up and make wedges or make a baked sweet potato.
Greek yogurt is a better alternative to ‘low fat’ yogurt as there can be hidden sugars in ‘low fat’ yogurt. Cut up an apple and pear with some almonds for example and add 2-3 table spoons of Greek yogurt for a healthy and filling afternoon snack. If you have a sweet tooth add in some chocolate chips with you can buy in the baking section of any supermarket.