A lot of people experience a dip in energy towards the mid-afternoon. As a response, they often resort to high-fat, high-sugar snacks to boost their energy levels. This is generally ill-advised as the sugar and calorie content of these unhealthy snacks will cause more harm than good. This is why it is necessary for us to have hearty eating habits during lunchtime to avoid this cycle.
It is always advisable to pack your own lunch for work instead of eating out. Aside from saving on lunch money, you’re also sure of what you’re stuffing your body with. Unless you yourself prepare your lunch, it would be almost impossible to determine the nutritional content of what you eat. If you have no other choice then you should choose steamed, poached, or grilled foods when eating out. Also ask the waiter to put your sauce or dressing on the side.
Here are some wonderful lunch ideas that are not only extremely healthy, but satisfying as well.
- Crab rolls: cooked lump jumbo crab meat (6 ounces), light mayonnaise (1 teaspoon), sweet pickle relish (1 teaspoon), thinly sliced scallion (½), ground pepper (1 pinch), and a couple of hotdog buns.
- Turkey wrap: flour tortilla (1), light mayonnaise (1 teaspoon), deli turkey (2 or 3 thin slices), shredded lettuce (½ cup) , tomato (2 slices), shredded cheese (1 tablespoon), and salt & pepper for extra flavor.
- Grilled chicken salad: romaine lettuce (2 cups), seasoned and grilled chicken (3 ounces), red or green peppers (2 tablespoons), tomatoes (3 wedges), cucumber (6 slices), baby corns (4 pieces), your choice of low-fat dressing (2 tablespoons).
In general you should avoid eating fast food takeout for lunch. These greasy foods have very little nutritional benefits and have loads of carbs and calories. Also stay away from the following food items:
- French fries.
- Battered or breaded chicken.
- Caesar salad (although it is a veggie meal, the dressing is packed with loads of fat).