Jason Watkins has “mastered the art of eating with my
left hand while mouse clicking with my right hand.”
Desktop dining at lunch is this accountant’s midday
routine.
What might appear an unhealthy work habit is actually a healthy
one for Watkins. That’s because he works out in the time
that others are munching on chips at the local deli or scarfing
down heavy meat-and-three midday meals.
“I feel physically ill if I don’t get at least
40 minutes of exercise followed by a shower during my lunch
break,” Watkins said.
“The downside of eating at your desk is you’re
not taking time for your meals,” said Rachel Brandeis
of the American Dietetic Association in Atlanta. “It’s
the same thing as if you’re at home and mindlessly eating
in front of the TV.”
Eating is meant to be an experience of the senses; if we’re
tuned out, we’re not capturing the whole experience. We’re
also likely to eat more than we need, Brandeis said.
To avoid that, bring food from home. You’ll eat less
sodium and fat, and you can maintain better control of portion
size.
She recommends packing at least three of the five food groups
in a good lunch and including lean protein as well as foods
high in fiber.
A great example?
“Whole-wheat bread, turkey, cheese, lettuce and tomato,
and a piece of fruit and you’ve just fit in all your food
groups.”
