Sure, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But lunch just might be the second most important. It’s what keeps you going between breakfast and dinner time.
Plus, if you are working, it’s crucial to fuel your body so you stay focused and alert, and perform well.
Avoid these six mistakes at lunchtime and you likely won’t have to deal with any midday slumps and cravings.
You buy lunch every day
Even if you're buying low-budget lunches, that extra expenditure can add up. Save yourself some cash and bring food from home. Of course, sometimes you just don't have time to pack a brown bag and end up buying food instead. That's unavoidable.
For those days, there are several healthy takeout options or even healthy fast food to help you get through the day.
You don't pack anything green
Keeping green veggies out of your lunch can leave huge nutritional gaps in your meal. Dark, leafy greens like spinach and kale are full of nutrients like fibre (essential for your digestive regularity), vitamin C (which is beneficial for younger-looking skin), and antioxidants.
Try making a kale salad or use a collard green leaf as a wrap instead of using tortillas made with white, refined grains.
Your salad is all veggies and no protein
At lunchtime, if you have a salad, you need to make sure it has some protein in it. All too often, salads will accidentally forgo that much-needed protein in favour of extra veggies and crunchy carby toppings like croutons.
Protein is a really important source of energy to help you overcome the midday slump.
Getting some protein into your salad can be as simple as topping your greens with a grilled chicken breast or a fillet of salmon.
You eat too fast
Work is busy with back-to-back meetings and appointments. Everyone wants something done yesterday, and it’s almost impossible to make the time for a relaxed, leisurely lunch.
When you eat too quickly, it's easy to forget about portions and overeat.
Furthermore, your food probably isn't being chewed properly meaning your digestive system has a much harder time breaking it down and absorbing nutrients.
You don’t use your leftovers
Leftovers can transition wonderfully into a new and delicious meal the next day. You just have to know what to do with them.
You're using white bread for your sandwiches
White bread is filled with simple carbs that can deter your health by keeping you hungry all the time.
Instead of using white bread for your sandwiches, try making the switch to healthier wholegrain bread or make a wrap using a lettuce leaf to keep your lunch low-carb and low-calorie.