If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then lunch is certainly the most neglected.
It’s easy to do, right Mamas? After all, it’s right smack dab in the middle of the day when we are trying to juggle work calls, schedule parent-teacher conferences, and make sure the little ones get something to eat (#workfromhomeprobs). Some days, it can feel like an accomplishment to eat the leftover crusts of your kid’s grilled cheese sandwiches.
Skipping lunch, though, can result in a stormy mood, less patience, and decreased focus. Our bodies need that energy spike to make it until dinner!
If lunchtime meal planning is stressing you out, here are our tried and true ways to make your lunch pack a powerful punch!
Prep, prep, and more prep!
The best way to set yourself up for a week of lunchtime successes is to prepare. Having to think up a tasty and quick lunch when you are in a time crunch is a surefire way to make sure you are eating your kiddo’s abandoned mac n’ cheese, come noon. When you make your grocery list for the upcoming week, plan out what you would like to have for your lunches. When you get home, do your best to prep as much as you can, so that lunch can be as simple as opening a piece of Tupperware from the fridge.
Leftovers Count!
What could be simpler – or more cost-effective – than reusing the meals you already have? Many people forget about leftovers when they get stuck in the mindset of having to make fresh food for every meal. Save yourself time and energy by making a little extra when you are cooking dinner, and then heat it back up for tomorrow’s lunch!
Choose Your Carbs Wisely
As our primary source of energy, making smart choices when it comes to our carbohydrate consumption can hugely affect our productivity during the workday. Sticking to complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, quinoa, and other vegetables, will help make sure you have sustained energy all day.
Don’t Forget Fats
Eating foods that are high in fat is a great way to help our bodies and minds feel satiated. Many people confuse ‘fat’ with ‘unhealthy,’ but they are a necessary and vital part of our everyday diets. There are all sorts of great ways to incorporate them into your lunches, whether that be a side of guacamole, a piece of delicious cheese on your sandwich, or a fish like salmon or trout.
Charcuterie Lunch
Are you finding yourself feeling hungry throughout the day, but not hungry enough to have a full sit-down meal? Consider preparing yourself a mini charcuterie-style board that you can snack on throughout the day. Try having a variety of different meats and cheeses on hand, that you can quickly put on a cracker whenever you need a little pick me up. Stock up on pre-cut fruits and veggies and healthy dips like hummus and salsa to take your meal to the next level.
Eat With The Seasons
Have you ever tried to be healthy by packing a refreshing salad for lunch, in the middle of winter, only to discover that come noon it looks entirely unappealing? Or a hearty soup in the middle of summer? Preparing food that matches the time of year can help ensure that you actually want to eat the meals you spent time preparing.
Don’t Forget Dessert!
Look, we are out here trying to be healthy, not boring, people! If you want your lunch to be something you look forward to, all morning, consider packing yourself a little treat. It can be something as simple as a bit of dark chocolate sprinkled with sea salt, or perhaps an apple with some caramel dip. Your lunch should be exciting to you, and if you need a little sweet tooth motivation, we say go for it!
Seasoning Is Key
There’s nothing worse than taking a bite of your lunch only to realize that you undersalted it. If you commute to work, consider stocking your desk drawer with to-go salt and pepper packets that you can pick up from any restaurant. Wanna take it to the next level? You can find miniature-sized bottles of your favorite hot sauces online, for when your meal needs that extra little kick. We personally think you can’t go wrong with a classic like Frank’s Red Hot.
Drink It Up!
Elevate a basic workweek lunch by packing your favorite beverage. Having a special drink with your meal can make it feel more exciting. If you’re a little soda-obsessed and trying to kick the habit, we love Olipop’s line of low-sugar sodas, which is also jam-packed with probiotics for maximum gut health.
Keep It Simple
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your mental health is to simplify your plan. Not every packed meal needs to be elaborate. There is nothing wrong with a good, old-fashioned turkey and cheese sandwich to keep you full and happy. The important thing is making sure that you get the fuel you need to take on the day’s challenges like the rockstar you are!
What’s your go-to recipe for a nourishing and delicious lunch? Share with us in the comments below!