If you have a refrigerator at your office, keep a supply of canned meal replacement drinks such as SlimFast, Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast or Boost. You can also use meal-replacement bars.
Study the labels in advance. They range in calories from 150-350. Pick one with only 2-3 grams of fat. Most have 10-15 grams of protein, though some are as high as 30 grams. Most people don’t need the 30-gram protein bars. Pick one with at least three grams of dietary fiber per serving. Narrow the choices based on nutrition, then select one for its taste, texture and feeling of fullness.
Once a week, stock your office refrigerator or cabinet with finger foods like small bagels, yogurts in a tube, celery sticks, grapes, pretzels, pre-sliced and packaged apple slices, string cheese, nuts, high fiber cereal and trail mix ready to go in little baggies. Keep a jar of peanut butter handy to add a tablespoon to celery, apples and the bagels.
This nutrition tip is from Dr. Kathryn Kolasa, registered dietitian and professor of family medicine at the Brody School of Medicine.
