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Good ideas for returning to work.

Emacc08

Member
Hey guys. I have been cleared to return to work next week, as well has do my new “normal” diet.
however I know I won’t eat much. What things did everyone eat when they went back? I eat about everything 2 hours and in small bites (obviously!) just curious so I can get some ideas.
Protein shakes are still my friends. :)
 
I already do food prep for during the work week, breakfast and lunch. I am hoping that I can continue that, modified. I just thin kit is going to be hard getting that groove you talk about. (For me at least) I will likely be going back to work during the pureed stage, so I have to figure out how to prep pureed food, then soft foods. Then as I introduce solid foods back, I have to figure it out all over again. I wish I could just take a few months off to get back into a new routine!
 
I take my food still all pre measured out. I bring a veggie or 2, some protein sometime meat sometimes cottage cheese, egg and so on. I find I like to have enough food so I feel like I get to pick what I want to have at my eating times. Drink when you can I find that the hardest part is getting in my water. I forget to drink most of all.

Most of all give yourself time to find what works for you. I find it is still hard some days.
 
You can meal prep pretty much anything you eat so that it's work ready. Get some small food storage containers (1/2 and 1 cup sizes) and prep your meals and snacks on the weekend for the work week. Protein shakes, cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts, hard boiled eggs and those meat and cheese protein snacks all come pre-packaged in snack sizes if you're looking for quick and easy to eat at your desk.
 
I take my food each day to work. I have a 50/50 desk job and out in the field in a company car. I take a variety of string cheese, baby bel, cottage cheese, high protein Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, flavored pre-made tuna cups, or those small individual packets of tuna with a small cup of avocado mayo, sugar free smoked sausages, jerky, almonds, protein bars and protein shakes. The things that don't need refrigerated, I will stock up on at my desk. I have one of those soft cover lunch boxes that have a cold pack on each side so it makes it easier that I can just reach inside and grab something. Those protein packs with meat, cheese, and nuts are pretty good. Also the lunchables are not too bad if you throw away the crackers. I sometimes make my own lunchables with cut up cheese and meats that I get from the deli sliced. I have also have had those pre-made salads (not sure if you are eating lettuce yet but maybe in the future) and even though I can't eat all of the lettuce, I cut up some extra meat and cheese and toss out anything like croutons or chips that come with them. I love blue cheese so I throw some crumbles on those salads and they are delicious. Those are just some of the things I eat at work. I also bring 2 large (33oz) bottles of water and try to drink them all down before I leave. One AM and one PM. I prefer the alkaline water like smart waters or store brand similar. I had to try several types of waters before I found one I like. Believe me, there is a difference. I am sure you will find what works for you. It took me several weeks to figure out my routine. Trial and error. I am lucky that I am a creature of habit so I don't mind the same thing every day for several days in a row but you can change it up to suit your tastes. Also, if you are at a desk, make sure you get up and walk around or go outside on your breaks and take a short walk. You got this!
 
You can meal prep pretty much anything you eat so that it's work ready. Get some small food storage containers (1/2 and 1 cup sizes) and prep your meals and snacks on the weekend for the work week. Protein shakes, cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts, hard boiled eggs and those meat and cheese protein snacks all come pre-packaged in snack sizes if you're looking for quick and easy to eat at your desk.
I really do love meal prepping. I tend to suck and figuring out as I go and that's when I eat very badly. I meal prep breakfast and lunch now and suck at dinner 50%. haha I have high hopes, I know once I get into a new routine I will be just fine. Thanks for some ideas, Missy!
 
Hey guys. I have been cleared to return to work next week, as well has do my new “normal” diet.
however I know I won’t eat much. What things did everyone eat when they went back? I eat about everything 2 hours and in small bites (obviously!) just curious so I can get some ideas.
Protein shakes are still my friends. :)

I’m in the same boat, just went back last month. It was not an easy adjustment - mostly because I was used to sleeping late etc. thank god I was allowed to drink coffee and I tolerate it very well.

Going back after the absence usually means a lot of stuff is waiting for you. I was swamped and my vitamin/water/nutrition regimen quickly suffered at first. At the end of my disability I prepped a lot of food - portioned, froze it etc and I’m so glad I did! Till that point taking care of myself was like my full time job and suddenly I didn’t have time anymore. I rely on shakes much more than I should probably. in my case meal prep was life saving.

I also got a big pill case and organized my supplements because once I got busy at work it was not as easy to keep up. Have alarms set in my phone to remind me to take my pills.

There is one product I loooove - it’s like little protein pouches, perfect on the go. I can’t stand most of the protein products because they are so sweet to me it’s nauseating. This literally tastes just like a fresh fruit purée (because that’s what it is) without sugar. I highly recommend for people who don’t like the sweetness or that are on the go. Many great flavors to choose from. And it’s very well tolerated by my super finicky stomach.
 

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