Noon is the time of day when healthy eating plans crumble for many dieters. Whether it’s a luxurious lunch with coworkers or giving in to the temptation of donuts in the break room, it is far too easy to sabotage your own weight loss efforts when you don’t plan your noontime meal ahead. By bringing one of these delicious, nutritious lunches to work, you set yourself up for success. These meals are high in fiber and protein to keep cravings and hunger pangs at bay, and they’re delicious enough that you won’t regret saying “no” to the greasy burgers that your coworkers order.
Nutritious Lunches: California Cob With a Twist
This tasty salad is a spinoff of the classic California Cob, but with protein-rich ingredients that keep you satisfied for longer. The slightly spicy orange dressing is low in calories but packed with flavor to tempt your taste buds. To make this noontime treat, begin by seasoning a boneless, skinless chicken breast with salt and pepper, and saute it in a teaspoon of olive oil until it’s no longer pink in the center. Cool the chicken breast in the refrigerator before continuing. If you have leftover chicken available, feel free to use it instead.
Once your chicken is cool, pack 2 cups of baby greens, ¼ cup of cooked corn, ¼ cup of shredded carrot, one diced hard-boiled Eggland’s Best egg, half an avocado and 2 tablespoons of diced red onion in a resealable container. Top this mixture with the chicken, and return it to the refrigerator until it’s time to leave for work. Then, prepare the dressing, which you should carry to work in a separate container. Combine 2 tablespoons of orange juice, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and whisk until combined.
Nutritious Lunches: Tempting Turkey Sandwich
Turkey sandwiches have a bad reputation for being bland, but this one packs a tasty kick. Made with cranberry sauce, red onion, and leafy green spinach, it surely doesn’t taste like weight loss food. Rest assured, it comes in at about 480 calories and is packed full of fiber to keep you satiated until dinner. It comes together quickly on mornings when you’re too busy to whip up a complex lunch.
To make this delicious masterpiece, layer 3 ounces of low-fat turkey, plenty of baby spinach and 4 large slices of red onion onto a piece of whole wheat bread. Spread 2 tablespoons of canned cranberry sauce onto the other slice of bread, and place it on top of the sandwich. Pack in a reusable container, and look forward to an excellent lunch.
Nutritious Lunches: Noontime Nibbles
If you prefer to graze throughout the mid-day rather than eat a defined lunch, this healthy combination of finger foods ensures that you stay on track with your diet plans. It’s also a good choice for vegetarians since it provides plenty of protein from plant products and low-fat dairy. To successfully assemble this meal, you’ll need a lunch container with at least six individual compartments. Alternatively, you can use six small containers.
The best part of this meal is that it requires very little prep time. Just add 1/3 cup almonds, a handful of cherries or raspberries, a handful of baby carrots, 2 ounces of cubed, low-fat cheese, a large handful of whole wheat pretzels and a handful of raisins to individual compartments or containers. This combination of foods provides plenty of fiber and protein, along with powerful antioxidants to boost your immune system. Feel free to substitute your own favorite finger foods, but aim for 3 fruits or veggies, 2 high-protein foods, and one high-fiber grain product for a balanced meal.
Once you get into the habit of bringing your nutritious lunch to work, you’ll find it easier to stick to your diet plan and achieve your weight loss goals. There are two secrets to creating a healthy lunch that helps you resist cravings and office goodies – it must be filling, and it must be delicious. Use these recipes as a starting point, and then diversify by creating your own healthy, 500-calorie lunches.
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