Summer is a time of sunshine, fun, and fried, fatty foods. This is especially apparent in the workplace when food truck Fridays, takeout lunches, and holiday celebrations all become more prevalent. Skip the carbs and calories by using these tips for healthy summer lunches in the workplace.
Shop at Farmers’ Markets
We know it’s tempting to walk over to the local summer carnival and have a funnel cake for lunch, but instead, why not head to a farmers’ market? These fresh markets pop up in nearly every town over the summer and feature fresh produce, dairy, and meat from area farmers. Even if you’re not a fan of fruits and vegetables, you’ll find the taste much
If you have a ton of leftovers from your weekend barbecue, don’t bring them to work for lunch. Chances are, you’ll have to eat them for dinner, so use lunch as your opportunity to get in at least one healthy meal during the day. This probably won’t mitigate the effects of those sauce-slathered ribs, but it will at least reduce your total caloric intake.
Meal Prep for the Week
You probably know that you shouldn’t eat out every day for lunch, and preparing your food at home is a good way to prevent that from happening. Of course, salads get very repetitive over time, so try to craft meals that are in season to take advantage. Try recipes like:
- Sweet potato wrap with black beans, brown rice, and tahini sauce
- Chicken burrito bowl with beans, corn, chicken, and dressing
- Shrimp avocado salad with cucumbers, sun-dried tomatoes, and lemon juice
- Mexican casserole with bell peppers, black beans, quinoa, and ground turkey
- Chickpea lettuce wrap with yogurt, celery, walnuts, and curry powder
Staying healthy over the summer won’t be easy, as there is a lot of temptation out there. However, by starting with your lunch in the workplace, you can hopefully enact changes that will keep you feeling great throughout the best time of year.
Works Cited
Debth, Jennifer. “Easy Healthy Make Ahead Summer Lunches.” Show Me the Yummy. 18 May 2017. https://showmetheyummy.com/easy-healthy-make-ahead-summer-lunches/. Accessed 11 July 2019.
