Monday – Having lunch with Hester Bijl
Professor Hester Bijl will be appointed Rector Magnificus of the Executive Board of Leiden University on February 8, 2021. She will be the first female Rector Magnificus of Leiden University. Her hectic life includes long working hours and also some meetings in the evening. When the weather agrees she cycles on her electric bike from The Hague to the office. She plays tennis on a weekly base and likes to do zumba & salsa dancing.
'When we were still working at the office, I tried to schedule half an hour for lunch. In our restaurant I choose a slice of whole grain with a light cheese, a salad and fruit. The banana or apple are my afternoon snack. I try to have a balanced eating pattern. My lunch break is sometimes short when I have lots of meetings. That's hard to change'.
Hesters favorite in the UFB-restaurant is a fried egg with cheese on 2 slices of whole grain. Or a white bun with cream cheese and salmon. She doesn't care much for a greasy snack like the Dutch kroket.
Kathelijne ‘Hester is a great example for a healthy life style. It is tempting to rest when you had a busy day at the office. While being active gives you back energy. Hester’s lunch is nicely balanced. It has the necessary fibers from the whole grain, the salad and fruit. A fried egg or a cream cheese with salmon bun is no sin when you are so active. Salmon is a very healthy choice and gives you a high sense of saturation. When you want to have a healthy alternative for the white bun, you can choose a seed cracker'.
'As a food nutritionist I think it's important to, besides the needed nutrients, find a moment of rest. When you eat in a rush and chew less than necessary, insulin cannot do its job in your body. The energy will not reach your muscles, it will end up as body fat. Mindful eating is becoming a big trend. To enjoy your meal, chew sufficiently and focus on the food, not on your phone. The satisfaction signal will arrive sooner and you will feel less tiered'.