Your midday meal doesn’t have to weigh you down. Whatever your daytime gig might be, creating a healthier lunch should be at the top of your agenda. Eating a healthy lunch can keep you alert and on course so you can sail through the afternoon.
4 Simple Suggestions Can Help You Revamp the Way You Lunch:
1) Create a Palette for Your Palate
Whether you’re putting together a salad, a plate or a sandwich your lunch should be full of vibrant hues. If you don’t have specific medical needs or allergies, include protein (lean meat, egg, nuts, etc.), veggies, fruit, dairy and a starch (bread, brown rice, etc.).
Generally, the more colorful your meal, the greater variety of nutrients you are likely consuming. Colorful foods like beets, spinach, carrots, blueberries and others all have hefty doses of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Choose fruits and veggies at the peak of ripeness and you’ll reap the most benefits. If you don’t want to run to the market frequently, consider packing frozen fruits.
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2) Think Texture Too!
Part of feeling satisfied after a meal is hitting the mark when it comes to satisfying any particular urges to chew, crunch, lick or sip. Does that sound weird? It shouldn’t. Food texture is a big business for a reason. We experience food as texture, smell, and taste. Variety in the way food feels is key to helping satisfy physical cravings.
Having a few nuts to crunch or carrot sticks to munch during lunch might make the difference when it comes to feeling refreshed and calm when you get back to work. Studies show chewing increases blood flow to the brain. In addition, chewing on solid foods can provide the bulk you need to feel full, so you don’t sprint to the vending machine later.
3) Fresh is Fantastic
Fresh food that you prepare yourself will be more economical, and often healthier, than pre-packaged foods. Pre-packaged foods tend to have preservatives and other chemicals added to extend shelf life or create a uniform shape or color. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients on a label, think twice before you pop that product in your mouth to avoid artificial chemical overload.
4) Hold it! Containers Matter
Packing your own lunch allows you to avoid potentially harmful chemicals that can be found in plastic wrapping or containers, like BPA and other hazards. Using glass or stainless steel containers can allow you to ditch the plastic and keep your fresh foods fresh.
Putting It All Together…
Consider using a Stainless Steel Bento Box. The non-breakable container is divided into several sections so you can control portion size and look at your choices side-by-side to see if you’ve hit various color groups and textures. Stainless steel is free of many harmful chemicals and is shatterproof. With all your food in one container, carrying your lunch and cleaning it up is a cinch!
