I have no problem eating a healthy, relatively clean breakfast, and dinner isn’t hard to pull off either, since I usually put a little bit of thought into what I am cooking. But lunch gets me every time. Either I am out and running around when it’s lunchtime, or I am home and rushed and doing a million things. Usually, lunch is leftovers, which is fine when it’s a healthy dinner I made at home, less ideal when it’s last night’s takeout. I’ve always been a huge carb lover, which has always made breakfast my favorite meal and lunch at the bottom of the list. And it always seems a struggle to incorporate some healthy fat or protein into my lunches. So one of the ways that I am trying to do better is by making a list of the really healthy items that I actually love and making sure that I have those around, and in abundance, so that it becomes easier to make better choices at lunchtime. Here are a few of the items from my list:
cucumbers
radishes
arugula
sardines and anchovies
olive oil
hazelnuts and almonds
mangos
berries (all kinds)
greek yogurt
A Couple of Quick and Easy Lunch Recipes
Avocado Tartine
Avocados are one of those foods that I have always loved but never quite knew what to do with. I mean, I don’t have time in the middle of the day to eat quacamole and chips, and it seems a little too rich (and too plain) to eat an avocado straight out of the peel. But Bon Appetit had the best, two-minute recipe for an avocado tartine. You simply mash up some avocado (about a quarter of an avocado is a good serving size for a woman), with some sea salt, red pepper flakes and lemon or lime juice. Then you spread it on a single slice of whole grain toast. It’s so quick and so yummy!
Sardines on Toast
I have discovered that, if I can get over the idea of sardines, I actually really like them, especially with a little lemon juice on top. Spread them on toast and they are really pretty good, and they’re packed with good fats and protein too.
Veggie Soup
Using organic low sodium veggie broth as a base, add a variety of chopped veggies and simmer until tender. I would add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end, or some soy sauce (although this adds sodium) and some whole grain toast or crackers. I always have to add those carbs!
Chopped Salad
Somehow salad tastes so much yummier if it’s finely chopped. Sadly, I rarely have the time to either make or eat a chopped salad, but it’s definitely on my list of yummy lunches, especially when paired with bread or crackers. (See note on carbs, above!: ) You could add an egg or tuna or some nuts for protein!
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