Healthy On-the-Go Lunch Options

When you’re trying to stick to a healthy eating plan, brown-bagging it to work can sometimes be a challenge. But with a little planing, you can purchase and/or prepare foods that will travel well, taste great, and keep you on track at lunchtime. Try these tasty suggestions for on-the-go lunches:

1. Enjoy a healthy sandwich. Look for nutritious breads: 100 percent whole-wheat or whole-grain sliced bread, whole-wheat pitas, and whole-grain tortillas are terrific options. Be sure to choose lean deli meats like turkey breast, chicken breast, roast beef, and ham. Make sure you select varieties without added sugars (for instance, avoid honey-baked ham) and serve deli meats with diet-friendly condiments like Dijon mustard or sugar-free salsa.
2. Prepare a salad. Make a hearty Cobb or chef salad for one or more using dark, leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, reduced-fat cheese, turkey bacon, and/or lean deli meats. Divvy it up into separate containers for any family member on the go. Put the dressing in a separate small container to add just before eating.
3. Consider soup. Lentil, split pea, and black bean soups are nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, satisfying choices, as are cold soups made from cauliflower or broccoli. Gazpacho is also an excellent choice for a hot-weather lunch. The great thing about soup is that you can prepare a big pot on a Sunday and it will last you a few days into the week. Hot soups can be packed in a microwavable container; cold soups in a thermos.