Skipping lunch can lead to a lack of energy, loss of concentration and a lower job performance. Eating out every day can be expensive and difficult to find healthier options. Packing your own lunch is the best opportunity to keep your diet on track and keep you sharp and focused throughout the day.
When making a healthy lunch it is important to include multiple food groups, such as lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Your best beverage option is water to stay hydrated. To make it more exciting try adding fruit or mint to your water. Try to stay away from prepackaged foods because they tend to be higher in fat, salt and sugar. Instead make more food during dinner to insure you have enough to make leftovers the next day and to help control your portion sizes.
Packing healthy lunches is just as important for your children, try these helpful tips to give your kids the healthiest lunches to help them thrive in school.
• Cut up food into dipping sticks and try new dips such as hummus, guacamole, ranch or yogurt
• If you do not have much time, try canned fruits or cups that are in 100% fruit juice or water
• Skip processed snacks
• Get your kids involved to get them more excited about their food. Take them grocery shopping or have them help pack their lunches and find new recipes
• Use cookie cutters to cut fruits, vegetables or sandwiches into fun shapes
Peanut Butter and Banana Sushi
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter Substitute soy or sunflower butter if needed)
- 1 whole grain flatbread or whole wheat tortilla
- 1 med banana
Directions
- Spread peanut butter down middle of flatbread/tortilla and reserve 1 teaspoon for later
- Place banana on peanut butter and roll up the flatbread/tortilla
- Spread remaining peanut butter on outer edge of flatbread to seal the roll
- Slice roll into sushi sized pieces