TYPING constantly on the keyboard, or replying to client’s email, or constantly writing reports – all this for a few more hours and you bet you will be hungry. Cubicle cravings are pretty common among the techies. This can be much worse since they already lead a sedentary lifestyle. During the day too, if they hog on unhealthy foods, they are well on their way to develop serious health problems in future.

What are the possible foods that may come to mind of a techie dragging through his day? The first and foremost are the fried potato chips. Easy to get. Tasty and tempting. The next on the list is pizza or a burger or if not anything, chocolate. No need to mention that these are not the healthiest of things to munch on a regular basis.

So how do you really deal with cubicle cravings? Actually there are a lot of healthier ways. And if you consider some of these, you can rest assured that you will fulfill your hunger and take care of your health at the same time. A few tips that will help:

Carry an apple: What does it take to carry fresh fruits to office with you? Just a paper bag. Fruits like banana, apple, cucumber, grapes are easy to carry to work and whenever you are hungry, have the power to refresh you. You will feel the difference very naturally when you munch chips versus when you eat a fruit. On top of it, you will be treating your body with vitamins, minerals, water and fiber.

Home-made goodies: There are so many things that your mother keeps inside your kitchen just for munching. There is the home-made chivda, chikki, mathri etc that are healthier because they are cooked at home and are more hygienic than a baked samosa or a burger. Make a habit of carrying some of these things in your tiffin box.

Kitchen popcorn: Instead of ordering popcorn from your office, carry home-made popcorn with you. At home, you can always ask your mother or your wife to top it with your favourite spices or flavours. This is healthier.

Nuts, seeds, dry fruits: Isn’t that a wonderful idea to carry nuts, seeds and dry fruits along with you and munch them whenever you are hungry. Imagine how much of a treat this is to your body. They are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Dry fruits are  high on iron and they boost your metabolism too.

Fruit salad: Though it would need a bit of refrigeration, fruit salad can be so healthy, refreshing and tasty at the same time. It can give you a great mental break from work, you feel healthier and more energetic.

What to avoid?

• Mithai, cakes and pastries, whether home-made or otherwise, is harmful if you consume them regularly. Never use them as a snack to munch at the office.
• Even sandwiches with heavy potato fillings are bad for health. They must be consumed in very less quantities and that too occasionally.
• Pizza, burgers and baked/fried samosa as a snack can be very dangerous. These are very high fat foods and can be more dangerous when consumed as a substitute to food.

Cubicle cravings are absolutely inevitable. And the best way to deal with them is to face them with healthier options. Remember, there are ALWAYS healthier choices available. You only need to select them.