Desktop Survival
If you are an office dweller, you’ve probably experienced a desktop lunch at some point. You know what I am talking about. Scrolling through the headlines, a plate next to the keyboard and a bottle of soda nearby . . . or maybe it’s email, a coffee and a plastic container of some lunchroom grub.
Blame it on the difficulty of juggling work and family, the speeded-up business cycle, the unintended consequence of technology or pervasive economic anxiety. Whatever the reason, lunch routinely eaten with colleagues or friends outside the office has gone the way of defined benefit pensions and other workplace dinosaurs. Few have the time. In America, says University of Pennsylvania psychologist Paul Rozin, lunch is not a meal. “It’s a fueling.”
Whatever your poison, this can be a diet and health danger chock full of bad-news foods and germy eating surfaces. Here’s how to combat the fat and make your desktop lunch a healthy, fulfilling deal.
1) CLEAN! - Did you know that the average office desk is covered with tons of germs? According to the BBC, an average desk can harbor as many as 10 million germs. YES! 10 MILLION! To put that in perspective, studies have found that office desks can contain 400 times more germs than bathrooms. Now that’s gross.
What can you do? Pick up some antibacterial wipes either in one of those handy canisters or in the convenient single serve packages and give your area a good sweep every morning. Clean any cups, utensils, etc that you leave at work well too with soap and water. And never forget to wash your hands.
2) COST! - Eating out everyday is expensive. If I grab cafeteria food everyday, I spend between $6 to $9 a day. That money really adds up and honestly makes me feel guilty. If I bring my lunch just three days per week, that is roughly $22.50 saved per week. That’s reason enough to pack lunches, if you ask me.
3) VARIETY! - Making the same thing day after day isn’t going to get you excited about your brown bag lunch. And taking just one or two things isn’t necessarily going to be enough or provide enough variety. Mixing up sweet and salty foods will help you ensure satisfaction as well.
Brown Bag Ideas
Snack/side item:
hummus with a pita or veggie sticks
a handful of nuts
one serving thin pretzels
cut up fruits
100 calorie snack packs
cheese and crackers
chips and salsa
granola bars
dried fruit
side salad
yogurt
Main item:
low-fat peanut butter and sugarless jelly sandwich
cold cut sandwich
grilled chicken sandwich with tomato and lettuce (transport these items in a separate bag and assemble before eating)
salad with chopped egg and 1 oz of cheese (low fat dressing)
salad with turkey and cheese chunks (low fat dressing)
grilled chicken and rice with stir fried vegetables
pasta salad
tomato and mozzarella salad with fresh basil and drizzled with olive oil
leftovers!!
Dessert:
sugar-free jello or pudding
an apple with one tbsp caramel for dipping (don’t forget the knife!)
unsweetened applesauce
low fat cookie
