…and why it could be a short cut to an expanded gut
Surprise, surprise, a new study has discovered that the average office worker in the UK gains 9lbs a year from overeating, consuming a whopping 3,295 calories every day.
Here at appetite HQ, while we have an inarguable excuse for eating at work (ie, it’s our job…) rarely a day goes by without colleagues rocking up with homemade cakes or biscuits, ringing in on the way to work offering to stop off for bacon sarnies, or coming up with an excuse for a team lunch out.
According to this latest study, more than half of the UK’s office workers prepare their food for work on a daily basis, but they buy additional meals and snacks throughout the day on top.
The average office worker is putting away up to 3,295 calories per day – between 795 and 1,295 more than the recommended daily amount – leading to an annual weight gain of 9lbs per year.
The research for www.VoucherCodesPro.co.uk studied 2,195 UK office workers who were asked how many calories they estimated that they ate per day. The survey came up with the figure of 3,295 calories a day based on their estimates, which tells us that, considering most people don’t have a clue what they consume, or at best they under-estimate it, the real figure is probably more.
So, are you guilty? Try these recipes and usher in a more healthy way of eating al desko…
Rainbow jar salads
Jar salads are a great way to make and transport a salad for work. The order of layers is important – you should always start with the dressing at the bottom, topped by a layer of something which is least likely to go soggy, topped in turn with the second least soggy potential ingredient, and so on. Keep it in the fridge at work, and simply shake to disperse the dressing just before you eat it, or turn it out into a big bowl.
Why a jar rather than a Tupperware? Simples – by layering your ingredients, you protect the more delicate ingredients from squashing and sogging.
Choose a wide topped jar (a Kilner or Mason is generally best) and experiment. Remember to always start with your dressing – we suggest a tablespoon of homemade lemon vinaigrette at the bottom of the jar, or if you’re being really good, just some lemon juice, topped by a layer of something robust which will take the weight of other ingredients on top and also won’t go soggy in the dressing – eg, grated carrot, bell peppers, raw cauliflower, radish, celery etc.
Then you might want to add a layer of cooked green lentils, quinoa or edamame beans, then a layer of tofu, chicken or tuna, then a layer of sweetcorn, then tomato or avocado. On top of this add some fresh basil or coriander, then some mixed leaves, and then a sprinkle of parmesan.
Here are some more combos – layer your jar in the order of the ingredient as they are listed:
Chicken delight
Vinaigrette
Edamame beans
Cooked chicken breast
Quinoa
Chopped tomato
Grated sweet onion
Layer in a jar in the order above – shake to mix before you eat, or turn into a bowl.
Summer days
Vinaigrette
Sliced apple
Sliced radish
Sliced celery
Walnuts
Mixed greens
Layer in a jar in the order above – shake to mix before you eat, or turn into a bowl.
Asian noodle salad
Soy sauce + extra virgin olive oil
Soba noodles
Edamame beans
Grated carrot
Spring onions
Layer in a jar in the order above – shake to mix before you eat, or turn into a bowl.
Pasta happy
Balsamic + olive oil
Cooked pasta shells
Chopped tomato
Chopped cucumber
Kalamata olives
Mixed beans
Mixed salad leaves
Layer in a jar in the order above – shake to mix before you eat, or turn into a bowl.
Buddha bowl in a jar
Hummus
Red onion
Grated carrot
Chickpeas
Quinoa
Mixed salad leaves
Layer in a jar in the order above – shake to mix before you eat, or turn into a bowl.
Rainbow Salad
Olive oil + lemon juice
Chickpeas
Grated carrot
Chopped red pepper
Chopped yellow pepper
Grated red cabbage
Chopped cucumber
Assorted leaves
Sunflower seeds
Layer in a jar in the order above – shake to mix before you eat, or turn into a bowl.
Go green
Vinaigrette
Chopped celery
Chopped apple
Chopped radish
Walnuts
Mixed leaves
Layer in a jar in the order above – shake to mix before you eat, or turn into a bowl.
