SPOTLIGHT
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We’ve all been there when the weekend goes by too quickly or you get caught up in other activities and meal prep is the last thing on your mind. Suddenly it’s time to pack for lunch on Monday and there’s nothing ready. What do you do? Lunch Ideas When You Forget to Prep
L unch is a great time for snacking anyway. Grab nutritious snacks that will be satisfying and not take you off of your goals. The key to create a balanced lunch. You’ll want some protein, vegeta- bles, fruit, and grains. The food options I will provide in this post can be easily found in convenient stores and are in single serving portions in the grocery stores and you may already have in your house so planning can be kept to a minimum.
Vegetables Vegetables are great sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Non-starchy vegetables like mushrooms, green leafy vegetables, and broccoli have low glycemic indexes. This means that they won’t raise your blood sugar high and quickly causing that afternoon crash of energy. Vegetables can take care of your heart, prevent certain forms of cancer, and aid in digestive health. All these benefits are reasons why vegetables should be part of your grab-and-go lunch routine. Here are some easy vegetables to try:
Protein
Protein will keep you feeling full and focused to finish the day. Protein is needed for muscle building but also keeps the immune system in tip top shape. Your protein stores called albumin is what dietitians use to measure how likely you can recover from an infection. Protein is an important nutrient needed in the middle of the day to keep you on track. Here are some ideas for quick protein options:
• Baby Carrots • Bell Peppers • Summer Squash and Zucchini
Fresh Green Salad with lots of Green Leafy Vegetables are a perfect option to get in lots of vegetables in the middle of the day. Lots of restaurants and even grocery stores have salads and salad bars that can satisfy your veggie cravings and keep you on track through lunch.
• Peanut Butter • Cheese Sticks • Yogurt • Cottage Cheese • Protein Bars • Hard Boiled Eggs • Tuna • Hummus
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