Jason Watkins has "mastered the art of eating with my

left hand while mouse clicking with my right hand."

Desktop dining at lunch is this accountant's midday

routine.

What might appear an unhealthy work habit is actually a healthy

one for Watkins. That's because he works out in the time

that others are munching on chips at the local deli or scarfing

down heavy meat-and-three midday meals.

"I feel physically ill if I don't get at least

40 minutes of exercise followed by a shower during my lunch

break," Watkins said.

"The downside of eating at your desk is you're

not taking time for your meals," said Rachel Brandeis

of the American Dietetic Association in Atlanta. "It's

the same thing as if you're at home and mindlessly eating

in front of the TV."

Eating is meant to be an experience of the senses; if we're

tuned out, we're not capturing the whole experience. We're

also likely to eat more than we need, Brandeis said.

To avoid that, bring food from home. You'll eat less

sodium and fat, and you can maintain better control of portion

size.

She recommends packing at least three of the five food groups

in a good lunch and including lean protein as well as foods

high in fiber.

A great example?

"Whole-wheat bread, turkey, cheese, lettuce and tomato,

and a piece of fruit and you've just fit in all your food

groups."

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