As a working girl, you don’t have time to worry about what’s for lunch, never mind how to make lunch options healthy too!
Don’t worry. P&B has some tips and tricks for packing delicious and nourishing lunches fit for the office.
Try Mason Jar Salads
Join the Mason jar craze with a packed salad!
The key to making these last in the office refrigerator until lunch without getting soggy is layering. Take a clean Mason jar (or lidded jar of any kind) and pour your favorite dressing into the bottom. Next, layer hearty vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers or tomatoes on top of the dressing. This layer is very important because it creates a barricade between the dressing and the lettuce so your salad won’t be mushy come lunchtime. For the next layer, throw in some beans, mushrooms, corn or other lighter vegetables. If you’re adding cheese or lean protein to your salad, toss those in next. Finally, top it all off with your choice of greens and screw on the cap. When it’s time to eat, just shake the jar—and voila! You have a perfect tossed salad.Try a Caesar Salad Sandwich
Give the classic salad a twist with this tasty sandwich from Martha Stewart. Spread a bit of Caesar salad dressing on a slice of whole grain bread. Top with sliced turkey breast, lettuce and another slice of bread. Enjoy with a side of fruit for a filling, healthy meal.
Make Salads Lighter
Tuna, chicken and egg salads are great creamy lunch options to eat alone, on crackers or salad, or in a sandwich, but they tend to be packed with calories and fat.
Lighten them up by making them with Greek yogurt instead of traditional mayonnaise. Add spices for flavor, and make sure you keep your portion sizes in check and you’ll be able to enjoy your favorites as often as you’d like! You can also make pasta salad healthier (and tastier) by bulking it up with crisp veggies and dressing it with a light Italian vinaigrette instead of a mayo-based dressing.Wrap it Up
Wraps are easy and healthy when done right. Take a whole wheat wrap and spread a little mustard, mayo or salad dressing on it. Add your favorite veggies for crunch and deli meats for belly-filling protein, then wrap up to enjoy at work. Eat a side of oven baked chips and you’ll be full until dinner!
Snack Time
If you like snacks more than full meals, turn your lunchtime into snack time. Pair different small healthy treats together to make a complete meal. Make sure you eat from different food groups, and you’ll be healthy and satisfied from lots of variety. We like pairing a few slices of deli meat with some cheese and whole grain crackers, along with sliced fruit or veggies dipped in hummus. Round out your snack meal with yogurt for dessert. Or try a slightly more sophisticated twist on ants on a log by topping celery with peanut butter and almonds. With a balanced bunch of snacks, you’ll full and happy through the end of the work day.
(Feature photo via Skinny Mom)