Healthy tips for lunch on the go

Whether you work in or out of the home, having lunch on the go is sometimes a necessity. Sure, finding lunch when you are out and about is hardly a difficult task. Nearly every corner beckons with one neon sign or another promising burgers, chicken, coffee, or sandwiches. Options are not the problem. What is vexing is how to stay healthy when time is not on your side. Here are a few strategies to increase the health quotient of your lunch break, which will power you through the second half of your day.

Lunchables aren’t just for kids

Who says that kids, with their lunchables, get to have all the convenient food fun? Take inspiration from them and create your own grown-up version of a snack pack that is the ultimate lunch on the go. Start with a protein infusion; a hard-boiled egg or sliced low-sodium deli meat such as turkey or chicken breast are good options. Then add on a crunchy accompaniment like crackers or lettuce leaves. Balance it out with veggies like sliced cucumbers, carrots, or celery. And don’t forget the dairy. This adds to your protein and boosts your calcium intake. So throw in string cheese or single-serving yogurt.

Keep in mind the goal of this lunch on the go isn’t to deprive you, but rather to have easy-to-eat foods at your fingertips. So go ahead and throw in a sweet treat. Select sweet, easily portable fruit like grapes or berries, or two of your favorite cookies.

To shorten your prep time, opt for pre-cut veggies, cubed cheeses, and single portions of items like tuna fish and fruit cups (in juice, not syrup). And don’t forget your lunchable box. Options abound, from disposable, divided plastic containers to more permanent versions available at specialty retailers.

This adult lunchable is infinitely adaptable, so let your imagination go wild. Want to eat like you’re on a picnic in the French countryside? Fill your lunchable with fresh cheeses, microgreens, green beans, packaged tuna, and grapes. Get the idea? Here are some other ideas for adult lunchables and ideas for the entire family.

Hot, hot, hot

Sure, easy-to-reach-for snacks are a no-brainer, but how do you get lunch on the go that is both warm and doesn’t torpedo your diet? And what if you do crave a drive-through run? First, it’s important to remember that fast food eating doesn’t have to be unhealthy. It’s a matter of knowing how to navigate all those choices. Go for the leaner choices such as a small salad and a small entrée (a cup of chili or a kid’s burger, for example), and you must definitely say no to that side of fries and soda! Supermarkets are a great alternative option for healthy options. Many provide lunch and hot food bars that feature soups (go broth, not cream-based) and hot and cold salads. Many will charge by weight, so you just need to watch your portion.

Finally, a homemade burrito is always an easy portable lunch on the go. Fill a whole wheat tortilla with shredded carrots, baby greens, low-fat cheese, and your choice of protein, such as turkey slices or shredded chicken. If you’re vegetarian, a spicy black bean burger works nicely, too. Pack the pre-made burrito in foil to keep it warm or take the pieces and put it together at your desk before heating. Either way, it hits the spot.

Whether you want hot or cold eats during your busy day, these strategies will provide you with plenty options for a healthy lunch on the go.

Photo source: Flickr