Low-Fat Healthy Lunch Ideas – As a work from home mom, you already know how easy it is to get lost in work. It’s easy to just grab some chips, drink more coffee or skip lunch altogether.
With that being said, do not forget that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but skipping lunch is just as bad.
Besides your hunger being satisfied, eating a healthy, balanced lunch will keep you focused, alert, energized, in a better mood and will assist you in your healthy weight goals, while keeping money in your pocket.
Low-Fat Healthy Lunch Ideas For Busy, Working Moms
The first thing to remember is never skip lunch, no matter how busy you are.
Studies show hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can slow the speed at which people process information and shorten their attention span which will affect daily activities at work.
Plus, it slows your metabolism and sends you running for the candy at 3 pm.
Salads
Salads are great options, but remember these tips:
Top your salad with lean protein like wild salmon, vegan meat alternatives, beans, or tofu. This will ensure your body is building healthy muscle that will help you burn more fat and keep you feeling full longer.
Limit your salad dressing or use a good balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Try to “dip” your greens vs. pouring on the dressing.
Skip the croutons and processed cheeses – instead add veggies, the more colorful the better.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches can help you get in your veggies and lean protein. Here are some options:
Greek sandwich (lettuce, tomato, olives, feta cheese, oil & vinegar- leftover grilled faux chicken)
Turkey breast, lean ham and roast beef on a tortilla with roasted veggies
If you are a seafood lover, mussels, grilled calamari or fresh seafood salad on some whole grain bread
Find a whole grain bread that has fiber and protein in it. Add some grilled leftover veggies from the night before, tuna in water, canned wild salmon, some olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Last night’s dinner
Don’t be afraid to prep some the night before. It doesn’t take a lot of time to chop extra vegetables, wash and dry extra lettuce, and reserve a portion of the evening’s lean protein while you are preparing dinner.
Such items can be stored in individual containers in the fridge. When lunch rolls around the next day the ingredients are already prepped and just need to be assembled.
Quesadillas and Tacos are great because you can put almost anything between tortillas and call it a Quesadilla or Taco without needing a recipe.
Just take a look at what vegetable, meat or bean, and cheese options are available in your refrigerator and get creating!
Pasta is easy to make extra…add some olive oil to it and then stir in some veggies and lean protein the next day.
All Day Breakfast
Yes! don’t forget, breakfast can be served any time of the day! Scramble some eggs with salsa, cheese and serve on an English muffin.
Add some tofu and make an omelet or scramble.
Try to avoid ordering out; pizza, Chinese, burgers, fries and drive-thrus are all going to go straight to your butt and you will regret it at 3 pm when that slump hits.
Water, lots of water – drink it all day long. Flavor it with fruit, lemon, cucumber or mint if you have to.
Avoid living on caffeine – when you do that you are asking to crash and burn.
Instead, take some time and take a walk around the house, stretch your legs, do a few burpees, sit-ups, push-up or whatever it takes to get your blood circulating through your body. Try and get those 10,000 steps in/day.
Just because we work at home, doesn’t mean we can’t move it!
I hope that as moms who work from home we can help each other and share ideas and suggestions to help keep us all healthy!
Jody Morgan is a SAHM/WAHM in Columbus, OH. She runs Gemini Health & Nutrition as a Holistic Health Practitioner. In her free time she enjoys cooking, baking, crafts, photography, nature, fitness and entertaining. She blogs over at Now There Are Five where she talks about her journey to become a successful blended family and all things fun.
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