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Eat smart, work healthy - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Many of us who work may not always feel guilty when we pick up fast food at lunch time, or maybe even for breakfast but the calories add up, and the cholesterol count doesn’t look any better at the next medical check-up.

Some large companies may have in-house cafeterias that provide meals for employees who wish to buy them, however delicious these foods may be, it’s always a bit scary as we really don’t have any control over what ingredients go into preparing these meals.

Many work-related meetings take place at restaurants or meeting sites where a meal is provided, and no consideration is given to the fat content, or preparation style of the food to be served. If you consume a few of these meals a year then it is unlikely that it will affect your health, but if it becomes an integral part of your work, then you stand a chance to gain weight and it may affect your health.

It is not difficult to work, eat and be healthy all at the same time; it just takes a little planning and time in the kitchen before work the next day. If you plan to eat lunch at your desk then pack a brown bag lunch with a salad or a fat free sandwich, on whole grain bread with low fat mayonnaise, add some lettuce and tomatoes to the sandwich and don’t forget fresh fruit.

If you are arranging an in-house business meeting with a working lunch included you can stress to your caterer you want a platter of sandwiches, some with roasted chicken, cheese and egg fillings, and a few salads, avoid the processed meats. Provide the condiments on the side, and order a fresh fruit platter in addition to the dessert tray. Offer fresh juices, water, tea or coffee and try to avoid soft drinks for your guests.

If you go to a restaurant for a business meeting you can speak to the chef and let him or her suggest some healthy and delicious menus for your guests.

If you do many meetings a day, try to schedule power breakfast meetings at a well-established hotel, where you can have a choice of fresh fruit, and other breakfast items that are not high in hydrogenated fats. Starting the day off with a high protein, low fat breakfast will fuel you for a full day ahead.

Here are some healthy and tasty alternatives to purchasing lunch.

Egg n’ pasta salad

1 lb dry spiral pasta

1 large sweet pepper, chopped

1 cup blanched green peas

1 cup chopped chives

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 eggs, hard cooked, and chopped

¾ cup mayonnaise

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup un-flavoured yoghurt

2 tbs olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

½ cup chopped fresh parsley

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.

In a small bowl combine yoghurt, mayonnaise, olive oil, garlic, cheese, salt and black pepper.

In a large bowl combine pasta, pepper, peas, eggs and chives.

Add yoghurt mixture to pasta mixture and toss until combined.

Adjust seasonings and sprinkle with parsley.

Serves 12

Veggie burgers

[caption id="attachment_1000527" align="alignnone" width="960"] Veggie burger -[/caption]

1 tbs olive oil

1 onion

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