Eat Right in the Office

Who isn't in a rush each morning as they get ready for work? That's no excuse for foregoing a quick bite to start your day. No doubt you have no appetite (not to mention no time) for a real sit-down meal, but consider a quick container of yogurt, a granola bar or a piece of fruit. Even an oatmeal cookie is better than nothing.

Pack up a few nutritious snacks. Maybe your schedule is too hectic to take a legitimate lunch break, but you still have to eat. Take at least 15 minutes to step outside (or at least away from your desk if the weather isn't conducive to an outdoor adventure), and eat something. There are many fast, portable foods that you can bring from home. They need no prep, no heating and in most cases don't even have to be refrigerated if you're consuming them that day.

Try snack bars, crackers, V8 drinks, and individual packs of apple sauce, yogurt or pudding. Most fruits travel well and are easy to consume as-is. Time permitting, make yourself a sandwich at home and toss it in a bag with a small bag of chips and a beverage. Most markets also sell portable packets of carrots or mixed fresh veggies, pre-washed and ready to go. Sliced or individually packaged cheese makes a great addition to any mid-day meal, too.

Have access to a clean, reliable microwave oven? There are many off-the-shelf selections that you can bring to work and quickly heat up. Soups, macaroni and cheese, stews, ramen or chili (to name a few) are all satisfying.

Avoid the vending machine. There's nothing wrong with catering to your sweet tooth now and then, but candy bars are no substitute for more nutritional fare. The high sugar content is likely to lead to a feeling of extremely unpleasant (and unproductive) lethargy. Plus, the higher price you pay for their convenience won't do much to keep your pocket book in good health.

Bring along a container of fresh drinking water. It helps cleanse your system and keeps you hydrated more efficiently than soda. Consider green tea in place of coffee when you prefer a hot beverage.

Fueling your body while you work (and refreshing your mind with occasional fresh-air breaks) does wonders to keep your brain alert. Even the most demanding career can't expect you to slave away without paying attention to your base nutritional needs. In the long run, the enhanced performance that will result will be much appreciated. Bon appetite!