Healthy Lunch Ideas for Busy Days
If you’re a working woman, surely you’ve had one of those days: You don’t know how you are going to squeeze in lunch at all, much less a lunch that fits within the confines of your weight loss diet. But you don’t have to sacrifice a healthful mid-day meal for a productive day at the office. If you plan ahead, you can eat a delicious, nutritious lunch that will give you energy for the afternoon and make you feel good about your healthy eating plan.
The Secret: Be Prepared
If you spontaneously run down to the cafeteria or a local restaurant for your lunch, chances are, you’re not going to make a choice that agrees with your weight loss meal plan. And research1 shows, if you throw a “what to have for lunch” decision in with the already dozens of other decisions most workers make in a workday, you’re less likely to make a healthful one.
So, instead, plan ahead. Take the Sunday afternoon before your work week and choose recipes you’d like to make. Two or three recipes is a good goal. Then make a grocery list and shop for healthful ingredients, such as fresh spinach, lean chicken, salmon, couscous, and fresh vegetables. Do as much food pre-prep as you can. Chop vegetables, cook and slice chicken or fish, and put low-fat dressing into to-go containers. The more you do ahead of time, the less rushed you’ll be on your workday mornings, and the more likely you’ll be to stick to your weight loss diet throughout the work week.
Health Tips for Nutritious Workday Lunches
When it comes to packing lunches that adhere to your weight loss eating plan, the more tips you have for both convenience and nutrition, the better. Here are some secrets to healthy lunches you’ll look forward to when 12:00 hits:
Choose the right container.
Part of the success of your weight loss meal plan for women depends on the right lunchtime container. Glass containers are best—they are naturally BPA-free, they won’t change the taste of food, and you can safely pop them in the lunchroom microwave.
Make it in a mason jar.
Mason jars make great containers for salads, yogurt parfaits, and quinoa—layer your ingredients and stir together when it’s time to enjoy.
Invest in an adult lunch box.
To portion out your fruits, veggies, grains, and protein into the perfect sizes for your weight loss diet, consider getting a divided lunch box.
Make sure your weight loss meal plan is work-ready.
Think about where you usually eat lunch, how long you have to eat, and other factors in your lunchtime situation. If you sit very close to a co-worker, perhaps you don’t want to pack a super-crunchy salad or heavily garlicked piece of chicken.
Stock where you sit.
If you plan to have a “working lunch,” make sure you have silverware, olive oil, seasonings, and other essentials at your desk.
Delicious Curves Lunch Recipes that Support Diets for Women
To achieve your weight loss and fitness relationship goals, you must not only keep a regular exercise routine but also maintain a healthy eating plan, both at home and during your workday. With these health tips and easy lunchtime meals for busy days at the office, you’ll be able to stick to your weight loss diet and be your most productive self at work, too!
Cobb Salad
This tasty twist on Cobb Salad will keep you full of energy all day long.
Salmon Quinoa Salad
This is a fresh, protein-packed salad that’s great for lunch or dinner! It’s packed with superfoods like salmon, quinoa and kale.
Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes and Herbs
The roasted tomatoes in this dish are absolutely delicious!
References
