The best-intentioned diet resolutions can unravel when you’re back at work. Most people take a briefcase to work, but I’m more likely to accompany it with a soft esky filled with food. When you eat healthy foods, you not only improve your physical health but you’ll help your mind and body deal with stress. The morning and afternoon slump will be a thing of the past.

Here are some examples of goodies I pack for my work day… try these options before you raid the vending machine:

1.  Green Smoothie

I make up a double batch of green smoothie in the morning and what I don’t drink, I can take to work with me in a thermos and have it for morning tea.

2.  Boiled eggs and sea salt

These are great snacks filled with protein and excellent for brain function – 98 per cent of the protein is absorbed by the body.

3.  Berries

When berries are in season, I always have them prepared in my fridge. Preparation means having them washed and placed in non-leak containers ready to grab and go. I usually mix blueberries, raspberries, mulberries and strawberries.

4.  Nut, seed and dried fruit mixes

Once I get home from the market, I make up a nut, seed and dried fruit mix and put it in a glass jar in the pantry. In the morning, I’ll fill a snack size zip-lock bag.

5.  Herbal tea

Water can be boring at times and too much coffee is not great. Each night, I make up a large pot of herbal tea, take one cup from it and then I allow it to cool, fill my glass bottle and place it in the fridge.

6.  Fruit

Seasonal fruit is a great snack for work. Papaya with fresh lime juice is a favourite at the moment. I’ll peel, seed and cut my papaya (and I only love the red ones) into pieces, squeeze lime juice over the fruit and then place in a leak-proof container.

7.  Dates

If you have a sweet tooth, then fresh dates can take the edge off your craving.

8.  Dips

My favourites are hummus and babaganoush. Along with these dips, I’ll take zucchini, celery and cucumber sticks.

9.  Chocolate

Yes, I said chocolate, but not any old chocolate. Good quality chocolate has an ingredient in it that helps the activity of the brain. 100 per cent chocolate is the best. It is organic, pure and has a bitter taste to it. If you are not quite ready for that, try the 90 per cent ones on the market, but make sure there is no soya lecithin in the ingredients.

10.  Leftovers

Use leftovers to make up a green, leafy salad with cold meat, cold roast sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes and cut up cucumbers.