We live in non-stop world where there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day for all the things that need to get done, and sometimes as a consequence of that busyness, our health gets put on the back-burner as we opt for the quick + easy (and most of the time, not-so-nutritious) meal options.
After a quick poll on my facebook page (be sure to LIKE it for updates, posts + motivation!), you guys informed me that lunch is the hardest time to get a clean, nutritious meal on the table. In between appointments, work meetings, errands and everything else life entails, I can imagine you’d need something easy to throw together in a pinch without having to worry about your waistline suffering.
So, here are my 5 quick lunch tips to help you be prepared + guarantee you’ll have a great meal, too!
1) MAKE TIME FOR A GOOD BREAKFAST.
Ok, so this isn’t really “lunch” related, but having a good breakfast in the morning is so important!! If you run out the door with half of your kid’s left-over toaster strudel or instant “heart healthy” oatmeal, you’ll be a ravenous, sugar-crashing monster by 10am, thus inhibiting your good-food-making decisions indefinitely. Set your alarm. Get up 30 minutes earlier than you are right now, when the house + the rest of the world is quiet. Scramble up a couple of eggs with a side of berries. (And on sunday make my sweet potato + pork sausage hash, and you’ll have a great, easy addition to your breakfasts for the week.) It probably takes 5 minutes to heat the hash, crack a couple of eggs in it + cook it up. Seriously, MAKE TIME FOR BREAKFAST!
2) THINK IN MACROS.
If you are on the go and have no idea what to eat for lunch, think in macronutrients. Pretend it’s like a jason’s deli menu option of “you pick 2”, but you want a balanced meal of protein, fats + carbs. This balance is key in maintaining your energy levels, stabilizing your blood sugar, and helping you feel full + satiated till dinner (or snack) time. It doesn’t have to be a prettily made salad or a fancy “dinner” menu item. Just think in terms of efficiency. PROTIEN + FAT + CARBS. If you go for a fruit smoothie, make sure you have some protein powder added and maybe some almond butter or coconut milk for your fats. Try my favorite smoothie recipe here. And see number 3 for an easy way to make sure you get all 3 macronutrients!
3) MASTERING THE ART OF A SNACK PLATE.
I’ve grown up eating like this. It’s quick, it’s easy, but most importantly, it’s packed full with everything you need. With the guidelines of number 2 in mind, create a snack plate! A couple of ounces of deli meat, a few slices of avocado, and an apple. Canned tuna, a few olives, and some sliced veggies. Beef jerky (no sugar added), handful of almonds + carrot sticks. You’ll feel like a kid again coming up with fun, random combinations. Be creative!
4) BEFRIEND THE CROCKPOT.
This is probably my favorite kitchen tool. If i had to be stranded on an island with only one kitchen gadget, this would definitely be it. (or maybe my vitamix…) Anyway, throw all of your ingredients into a crockpot in the morning (while you are making your yummy breakfast!), set it + forget it. Not only does your house smell AMAZING, but it’s an easy 1 pot clean-up with no fuss. depending on the required cooking time, you can come home from work to a warm, hearty meal for lunch or dinner! My favorite recipes are a paleo chili or jamaican jerk chicken. (recipes coming soon!) Check out this site for lots of crockpot recipe ideas!
5) LEARN TO LOVE LEFTOVERS.
Yes, it’s true. I’m a big advocate for leftovers. Let’s be real here. I don’t want to cook (nor do i have the time to cook) a meal from scratch every time. So we are big leftover lovers over here. Please try to learn to love them. You’ll save money, headaches + stress when you are in a pinch! If the thought of leftover baked chicken just leaves you gagging, fall is the perfect time to become besties with your leftovers! Start with something easy like reheating soups + stews — they ALWAYS taste better the next day because the flavors get to hang out together a bit longer. Here is a great resource where you can “reinvent” your leftovers!
beWELL!
