If there aren't a lot of healthy lunch options available to you during the day, don't settle for fast food. Why not create your own healthy brown bag lunch instead? It's easier than you think to pack a tasty and nutritious gourmet spread to take to work. Here are some ideas for eating healthy while brown bagging it:
Revamp your Sandwiches
The same old sandwich each day can get monotonous. A sandwich is also not the healthiest offering when you slather it in rich, heavy mayonnaise. Give the mayo a rest and spread spicy mustard or hummus on your sandwich bread. It'll give you a different taste and will be lower in calories and more heart healthy. If you must use mayonnaise, use a fat free mayo that you've spiced up with a bit of fresh garlic, pesto, or chipotle sauce. Don't forget you can also use heart healthy salsa as a sandwich spread. Another way to revamp your sandwich and make it healthier is to substitute whole grain bread for over processed white bread. You'll be increasing your fiber intake as well as breaking the monotony of white bread sandwiches.
Add some Veggies
Raw vegetables may be a bit boring, but not when you add a delicious dipping sauce. Use fat free cream cheese, sour cream, or mayonnaise to create a heart healthy dip that's sure to make those veggies more palatable. There are numerous recipes on the internet to inspire you. Another tasty alternative is to grill vegetables the night before and package them in a plastic container for your brown bag lunch. Grilling can add a whole new dimension to the taste of vegetables.
Try some Exotic Fruits
You may need to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet, but are a bit bored with the traditional apple or banana. Why not try some of the more exotic fruits such as kiwi, papaya, lychee, passion fruit, or mango? These fruits are sure to tantalize your sleeping taste buds and will give you a bonus dose of heart healthy antioxidants.
Ditch the Chips
Give the potato chips a break and explore the world of healthier snacks. A small bag of mixed nuts can be the ideal, heart healthy energy snack to help you get through a busy day. Create a pack of mixed nuts to go in your brown bag or take a different nut every day. To make your nuts even more interesting, bring along spiced nuts or make your own at home with a garlic, onion powder, cumin, or chili powder. Other good potato chip substitutes are whole grain crackers, air popped popcorn, or rice cakes dipped into salsa, hummus, or another low fat dip.
Go Light on Dessert
If you have a craving for something sweet after lunch, bring along a square of dark chocolate to enjoy. It's full of heart healthy antioxidants. Just don't overdo it! Other alternatives include a slice of angel food cake or a container of sugar free jello or pudding.
Packing a healthy brown bag lunch doesn't have to be time consuming or boring. Try adding something different to your lunch bag every day and you'll never get bored or tempted to hit those unhealthy vending machines.
