Best Foods to Bring for Lunch That Help You Power Through the Day
Lunch is an essential meal as it helps power you through the second half of your day. Unfortunately, some busy professionals get so consumed with work that they either eat a quick snack or skip lunch entirely. Alas, not having enough calories and liquids for lunch can leave you lethargic and moody. These factors decrease your productivity levels and leave you feeling unfulfilled. With this in mind, packing a healthy meal can keep you full, happy, and energized.
A healthy, packed lunch should be nutritionally balanced. That means your lunch should include foods from at least three foods groups, which can be:
Vegetables
Fruits
Protein
Grains
Nuts
Dairy
Processed foods should be avoided or limited as part of your meal prep. However, foods like canned tuna and pre-made lunches are okay in smaller portions.
To stay on course, try meal prepping the weekend before. Meal prepping lowers the chances of eating out or skipping lunch because you don’t have time to prepare it in the morning. In addition, meal prepping is an excellent way to make eating healthy more exciting.
Before you pack that slice of leftover pizza in your lunchbox, consider these healthier options for building an energy-boosted lunch.
Add foods high in fiber
Foods high in fiber provide an abundance of energy. In addition, since the body doesn’t digest fiber, it keeps you feeling full for an extended period. High-fiber foods are vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts. Men should consume between 30-38 grams of protein daily, while women need 21 to 25 grams.
Eat lean proteins
Like fiber-filled foods, protein-rich foods help you stay full longer as it takes longer to eat and digest them. Aside from feeling full, protein helps build muscle mass, which keeps you energized and physically fit. A few examples of protein foods to add to your lunch meal are poultry, lean meats, eggs, and dairy products.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration can quickly impact your energy and productivity levels if you’re not drinking enough fluids. For example, a person’s work performance decreases 25% to 50% when they’re 3-4% dehydrated. So drink water or electrolyte-filled drinks during your lunch break to keep you hydrated and energized at work.
During your next grocery store trip, consider these tips to prepare energy-boosted meals for lunch.