What’s in your lunch box?

Keys, wallet, and… oops, forgot to pack a lunch again.

Nutrition is a vital part of day to day healthy living. What we fuel our bodies with halfway through the workday decides how we feel for the rest of the day. Still, how often do we grab a fast (unhealthy) bite to eat or skip lunch altogether?

Nutritionist Angie Atkinson may have some solutions for busy employees who want to incorporate healthy eating into their daily routine.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Atkinson will present at Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab). She will discuss packing lunches, meal prepping for families and what a “healthy” lunch really is. Join us in the Education and Outreach Building’s conference room from noon- 1 p.m. This will be a brown bag lunch with light snacks provided.

“Food is fuel for your body, so it’s important be aware of what ‘healthy’ really means,” said Laura Baatz, occupational nurse at Sanford Lab. “Daily, we should be incorporating the right nutrients, a variety of colors and textures and flavors into your meals, and plenty of water into our diets.”

This wellness event was created by the Sanford Lab Working Wellness Group, whose mission is to plan, promote and support Health and Wellness activities for the Sanford Lab community.

Atkinson has a bachelor’s degree in English and Writing from Black Hills State University but found her passion for wellness and nutrition nearly nine years ago. Since then, she has acquired several online certifications in nutrition. A year ago, she was coaching over 30 clients each week at Back to Basics in Spearfish, South Dakota. In 2019, Atkinson started Clarity Wellness, an online nutrition education- and wellness-based company that includes Plexus supplements, food challenge groups and nutrition consults.

Now, Atkinson spends just a few hours a week at Back to the Basics and runs Clarity Wellness from her home. This allows her to dedicate more time to her family, which includes her husband Eli, a Sanford Lab infrastructure technician, and their children: Colin (9), Quinn (4), Preston (1) and another baby boy due in late November.

The Environmental, Safety and Health, and Quality Assurance Department at Sanford Underground Research Facility promotes health and safety in the workplace, as well as healthy living and wellness for all employees. If you have questions about health and wellness, please contact our occupational health nurse, Laura Baatz, who is onsite daily at lbaatz@sanfordlab.org.