We've all been there. It's almost lunchtime, your stomach is starting to rumble and you realise you forgot to bring your lunch in – again.
It's easy to spend a small fortune on takeaway food each week; it's also easy to end up eating processed or unhealthy foods, especially if that's all there is available.
Bringing a healthy lunchbox into work each day is the best way to ensure you are eating the right foods, and also saving money. A little time spent planning ahead can reap great rewards, and once you get into a routine, it will become second nature.
Jean Hailes naturopath, Sandra Villella, has some great ideas for a healthy lunch. "It's best to be prepared and spend some time thinking about the types of food you enjoy," she says.
"Buy some freezer bags, order a vegetable delivery and stock up on easy items such as canned fish or legumes. Cook in advance, starting off with soups, casseroles and frittatas, which are really convenient, but also super-tasty and nutritious."
If you are time-poor, Sandra suggests cooking a little extra for dinner each night, so you have leftovers for the next day. Having a list of tasty recipes stuck to your fridge door, or in the kitchen at work, will also help you stay on track and avoid snacking.
Protein
1 palm-sized portion, such as:
Vegetables
2-3 cups raw (2-3 big handfuls) or 1.5-2 cups cooked, such as:
Low GI carbohydrate
1 fist-sized portion (optional – some people are choosing a low-carb diet), such as:
Sandra's final piece of advice is to eat slowly and mindfully, away from your computer. For more information read The three P's: the secret to healthy eating.