by Lise Melbye, LiveLife Wellness Coordinator, Human Resources
comments open from June 22 until July 11

It has happened to all of us. You have had a stressful day and you want a little comfort from your food to get you through the mid-afternoon slump. But instead of picking up a piece of fruit, you reach to that inviting Snickers or bag of chips. Though tasty, you soon find yourself still tired and feeling a little bit guilty. So how do you beat these urges and stay healthy?

Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy and energized throughout your day:

>> Eat breakfast. Having breakfast will help you eat more sensibly throughout the day and have a better chance of resisting the call of the candy bar. If you skip breakfast and think you are helping yourself by eating fewer calories, you are in fact likelier to end up eating more later on in the day. Ease yourself into eating breakfast if you are not used it. You can start slowly by having a glass of milk or a piece of fruit.

>> Keep healthy snacks available. Maintain a healthy snack box. If you already have the food there, the easier your decision is. Healthy and convenient snacks such as whole wheat crackers, pretzels, apples, oranges, bananas and nuts can last several days or longer without refrigeration.

>> Make a game of it. Are you getting bored of eating the same healthy snack or think they all taste the same? Make it a challenge to find a new healthy snack or try a new fruit or vegetable each week. It will expand your horizons and you will see that eating healthy does not mean you need to lose the flavor!

>> Be mindful and portion it out. The more aware we are of what we are eating, the less likely we are to overeat. Instead of bringing a large bag of chips with you, portion the bag into smaller Ziploc bags that will limit the amount you eat.

>> Be a trendsetter. How many meetings or parties have you walked into and there are donuts, chips, cookies and soda for your choices? Bring in some seasonal produce or Kashi Bars to your next meeting . . . your peers/friends and their waistlines will thank you!