How to Eat Healthy Even When Working Construction

If you've ever worked construction, especially in the hot summer months, then you know how hot, sweaty, and hungry you can get. Lunch time is the best (and only) break of the day, and it should be enjoyed with a hearty meal, but it doesn't have to turn into a binge that packs on the pounds. Here's how to keep a construction worker's meal satisfying and healthy. Hard work should make for a hard body!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pack lean meat on wheat bread. Make the sandwich as big as you like. Substitute light salad dressing or mustard for mayo. Turkey, roast beef, and ham are good choices. This sandwich will satiate with its high protein and fiber, plus it won't slow you down because it's low in fat.

2. Pack Gatorade or Powerade and drink it throughout the morning. This will keep you hydrated and full of electrolytes, as well as help to keep your stomach full and curb appetite.

3. Pack fruit in the lunch. Apples and bananas are good. They are great to munch on, low in calories, have a high water content, and provide minerals like potassium that revitalize your body in the hot conditions.

4. Bring a big bag of pretzels. This will provide something to stuff your face with if you're hungry while being low in calories and replenishing your salts.

5. Have a snack before lunch. A cereal bar is perfect. Anything's better than the usual cigarette. Even if the crew will look down on you taking a snack break, try to sneak it. Eating before lunch will keep your metabolism fast and will suppress appetite.

6. Drink plenty of water ass well as the Gatorade. Staying hydrated is key. Enjoy and good luck!

Tips & Warnings

• Construction work burns tons of calories, so if you pack food with good proportions of fat:protein:carbs it won't really matter how much you eat because you've worked it all off.
• Remember to strive to eat a few times a day and not just one big meal at lunch. This is key to staying in shape.

[starlet67]

on 5/25/2009 Good tips!