Life of a software engineer begins with an alarm bell announcing just another day. He may or may not exercise, with last night’s shift already heavy on his head. What does he eat for breakfast? Bread and butter or some cereal or may be just coffee.

Then he goes to the place where he spends most of his day and shall spend a major portion of his life- the office. He sits there from anywhere between 8 and 16 hours. Yes, he sits. Then he sits and keeps sitting. If he is a single living away from family, he would be eating a ‘dabbawala’ lunch whose quality differs from day to day. The other options for him can be office canteen or a McDonald’s.

What’s the whole point of this insightful scene from an engineer’s life? Just to make you realize that in the absence of exercise, what a techie eats can make a lot of difference. Not to say that no exercise is okay. In fact, a techie needs it more than anybody, given the work pressure he faces every day. Yet, eating habits shall go a long way to help him avoid many diseases arising out of a sedentary lifestyle.

Techies, do not eat in bulk. Eat in installments. Keep yourself hydrated. We follow a certain work trend at AnyLinuxWork. We serve snacks to our employees twice a day. This means they eat three times during office hours and a total of five times a day. Most ALW team members avoid eating heavy lunches as their snack gets on their tables at around 4 every day. This healthy eating habit is almost a culture at the office now and everyone has learnt to follow the same regimen at home too.

Yet, there quite a few ‘power snacks’ that can keep you healthy and hydrated. And that’s what we felt like sharing. A few of these snacks are served at ALW too and hence you may rest assured that they are tried and tested.

Cucumber: Summer heat saps your energy. You feel thirsty and hungry both at the same time. Cucumber can quench both. Every time you feel like grabbing a Lay’s or an Uncle Chips, consider buying half a kilo cucumber instead. Cucumbers are so easily available around offices in India. You can bring some from home too. Keep a pack of salt and red chili or pepper on your table to make your cucumber snack spicy. How big a deal is that? Come on, you can do it.

Almonds and raisins: These two are rich in vitamins and healthy too without much worry of the calories. Girls, almonds are just great for your skin, you must eat them often. Boys, raisins shall satisfy your sweet tooth. This combination can do wonders for your body, can keep you younger for a long time and nourish your body with the right nutrition. They are also easy to keep on your table in a closed glass bottle.

Chocobar v/s protein bar: Instead of treating yourself with a Cadbury’s Five Star or Kitkat, pick a healthier option. Protein bars now are easily available at any grocery store. Read the ingredients and pick the one that has less carbs and more protein. Protein bars are both sweet and healthy.

Air popped popcorn: The ones available at the multiplexes are often buttered, have loads of salt in them and they are often micro-waved too. They have more calories and are less healthy. Prefer the air-popped popcorn that can be cooked on stove. They are healthier and tastier. ACT II popcorn packets are available in just 10 bucks at any grocery store. Fill your kitchen shelf with loads of them, and carry them with you at the office especially during a night shift.

Water not coke: Constantly sipping a coke is definitely not very healthy. Always keep a water bottle with you at your desk. Sip it every half an hour to keep your body perfectly hydrated during summer. After nutrition, this is what your body needs. Also, while eating, taking a coke instead of water also has serious health consequences as the former can never replace the replenishment that the water provides.

These are just a few of our favourite snacks that we have at ALW premises. Take our word, they help us get fitter and healthier.