Healthy Eating for a Computer Jockey

Apparently it's turning into health week here at Writer Off the Leash. Spring has a way of toggling the ol' sweet-mercy-I'll-soon-be-uncovering-my-body-due-to-heat reflex. Since we've already tackled exercise -- you are exercising, right? -- the next topic is food.

Yeah, I see you. Put that doughnut down!

Let's be honest. We all get cravings for treats on the naughty list. But if you're sitting at a desk all day, then you've got to not only limit those treats, you've got to be actively putting things other than pie into your pie hole. But what?

Foods rich in antioxidants are a go to. These nutrients are substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Here are the top 10 to keep within reach instead of M&Ms:

1. Small red beans, dried (well, yeah, cook em' first)

2. Wild blueberries

3. Red kidney beans, dried

4. Pinto beans

5. Blueberries, cultivated

6. Cranberries

7. Artichoke hearts, cooked

8. Blackberries

9. Dried prunes

10. Raspberries

It goes without saying that staring at a screen all day is hard on your eyes. Here are some nutrients that can help:

• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) ~ found in fish, eggs, and seaweed
• Vitamin A ~ liver, eggs butter, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach
• Lutein ~ kale, spinach, broccoli, avocado
• Bioflavinoids ~ berries, cherries, pomegranates 

And 2 vitamins that keep your nervous system healthy and which you might be lacking after a long winter are Vitamin D and B12. Again, fish and eggs are powerhouses of these.

Above all, don't forget to drink plenty of water. Not pop. Not coffee. Just plain ol' water. Keeping hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body, whether you sit at a desk all day or not.