I recently began packing my lunches for the week, even though I work from home. You might wonder why because I could just wander over to the kitchen and make something to eat on my lunch break, right? But on a normal day, I tend to skip lunch or turn to unhealthy (but quick) meals. Most of the time, I feel too busy to prepare myself a lunch in the middle of the day, because I always have something else I could be doing. Packing my lunch means I’m less likely to look around the kitchen for something to snack on, because I’m here on a mission: to grab my already packed lunch!
Especially if you’ll be bringing your lunch to work with you, you might be in need of some new tasty, but healthy ideas. Here are some to get you started!
What You Might Need
If you have access to a fridge at work, you’ll need some meal prep Tupperware, a lunch box, a water bottle and some other lunch packing necessities. If you don’t have access to a fridge, you might want to have a lunch box with insulation to keep your lunch good to go until you’re ready to eat. Even if you’re not toting your lunch anywhere, having the right containers to pack it will make your beginning of the week meal prepping so much easier. If you’re in the market for a more adult lunch box, our favorites are from Modern Picnic!
What Should I Pack?
When I pack my lunches, I focus on having a protein, a vegetable/fruit and a carb in every meal. Another way is to use the PPFF (Plants, Protein, Fats, and Fiber) guideline inspired by Kelly LeVeque, which makes for another balanced meal method.
Proteins ideas:
– Chicken
– Turkey
– Tofu
– Steak
– Cheese
– Nuts
– Yogurt
– Carne Asada
– Pork
– Chickpeas
– Quinoa
– Peanut butter
– Avocado
– Eggs
Veggie/Fruit ideas:
– Apples
– Bell Peppers
– Asparagus
– Broccoli
– Peaches
– Mango
– Baby carrots
– Celery Sticks
– Tomato
– Blueberries
– Grapes
– Strawberries
– Cantaloupe
– Clementine
Carb ideas:
– Pumpkin
– Squash
– Sweet Potatoes
– Cheese
– Pretzel crisps
– Pita chips
– Whole grain pasta
– Kidney beans
– Whole grain cereals
– Rice
– Oats
– Beets
– Beans
– Whole grain bread
Here are two meals I packed last week:
Mediterranean: Sliced turkey, hummus, bell peppers and pretzel crisps.
Classic: Smoked turkey breast, Babybel cheese, apples and caramel, and pesto dipping sauce.
There are also so many other tasty combinations that can be put together. As long as you include a protein, veggie or fruit and a carb, or use the PPFF method, it will be a balanced and filling meal. Having something to dip in always helps me stay engaged, like the pesto dipping sauce or hummus I packed in the photos above. If you want to bring a little dessert with you to get you through the day, chocolate hummus has been an addiction of mine lately.
What meal prep ideas are your go-to’s? Let us know below in the comments!
For Some Delicious Recipe Ideas, Read These Articles:
Meatless Mondays: These 5 Vegan Air Fryer Recipes Are Delicious And Healthy!
