In 2020, packaged food sales have gone up by 30%! That’s a lot, don’t you think? People locked up in their homes with the Covid-19 pandemic looming around, has driven people to consume a lot more packaged food than usual. Indulging in a pack of chips and nachos while bingeing on a TV show, or between Zoom calls has become quite common, and we are guilty of it at some point. Healthy eating has gone for a toss, when its easy to raid the fridge whenever you want.
Not just unhealthy eating, people’s eating habits have changed. People are skipping meals more than they usually did. Add to this, stress levels are at an all time high.
So, I decided to put together a healthy snacking guide to help everyone in these times. Here are a few tips for you to follow:
Stick to a proper sleep routine
Healthy eating is not just about eating, it is also about maintaining a healthy routine. And for that, the most important thing is to follow a proper sleep routine. If you don’t sleep adequately, you’ll keep craving munchies, and will also adversely affect your digestion & metabolism. So, follow a fixed healthy sleep routine. Avoid staying up late into the night as much as possible.
Set up a consistent meal and work routine
During the lockdowns, people have really struggled to strike a work-life balance. While working from home, the boundaries between work and life often tend to get blurred. But it is really important to set up a proper consistent schedule for yourself. Also define a meal routine for yourself. Focus on eating real food – wholesome foods that will provide you with the required nutrition and also keep you full. Avoid junk food. However, don’t skip meals – that’s one of the unhealthiest things to do. Get up from your desk as much as possible – keep moving! And be consistent with your work schedule. Follow defined work hours, exactly like you used to when you used to go to office.
Do not skip breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You would have heard this so many times already. Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to begin your day on the right energetic note. Have delicious wholesome breakfast and avoid sugary cereals. Traditional Indian breakfasts like tava roasted parathas, kanda poha, thepla, idli, dosa, akuri, etc. are perfect. You can also have breakfast burritos, whole grain toasts, avocado toasts, fruit or vegetable smoothies, protein bowls, etc.
Work away from the kitchen
In 2020, ice cream sales have shot up more than 33%! And the sale of frozen pizza has gone up by 117%. Not just this, the sale of frozen cookie dough has gone through the roof, going up by a whopping 570%. While these sales sound really great for the companies who manufacture and sell these products, it may not be such a good idea for your health. So, put some distance between the kitchen and yourself as you work from home. The mantra here is “Out of sight, out of the belly”.
Prepare nutritious snacks
Making healthy nutritious snacks isn’t always tedious or time consuming. Healthy eating can be really simple and easy. It is just about making the right choices. Stock your fridge with healthy snacks. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Cut back on any snacks that come out of a packet. Control your portion sizes.
Throw out the sugary sodas
Keep a water bottle with you at all times when you work from home. Drink as much water as you can and avoid indulging in sodas. Use your smart watch or activity tracker to monitor your water intake. Also, watch how much tea or coffee you are guzzling down. Too much of anything isn’t healthy.
Here are some interesting healthy, nutritious and delicious snacks that are quick and easy to make that you can enjoy while working for home, or at any time.
Quick Tip: Char the vegetables a bit on a hot pan if you want a smoky flavor.
Quick Tip: These fruit skewers also make for great Instagram-worthy pictures. So, go get clicking and wow your friends and followers.
These healthy snacks should keep you satiated for a long time, while providing you the nutrients your body needs. Staying healthy and fit is all about making the right choices.
This infographic is shared by Quill.com. To read more about healthy snacking and this infographic, visit:
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