How To Pack Better Work Lunches
It’s not uncommon to see Impact Hubbers shoveling sauerkraut (hey, natural probiotics!), chowing down on salmon (the protein!), or devouring kale (oh, the vitamins!) at lunchtime. We tend to be a pretty healthy coworking bunch. But, hey, there’s always room for improvement, right? Plus, if you’re used to preparing your meals with the same ingredients, over and over again, it’s easy to get stuck in a boring lunch rut—as we all know, there are only so many days in a row that one can eat quinoa salad or stir-fry without wanting to angrily throw one’s Tupperware container across the room.
Packing your lunch is cheaper, easier, and usually way more nutritious than going out to eat (no surprise there!), so it certainly pays off to do so. Feeling less-than-thrilled these days when noon rolls around? We have some healthy, easy, and altogether delicious suggestions for you.
Use actual recipes.
Rather than throwing together a bunch of soggy brown rice and hastily cooked veggies in a pot, try to use actual recipes for your lunches. That way, you’ll be less inclined to end up with unappealing leftovers, and more inclined to be excited about what you’re eating for the week. Austin Fit Magazine has a nutrition section on their website full of healthy and delicious recipes and resources.
Branch outside your comfort zone.
Are you afraid of anchovies, petrified of pomegranate, or downright terrified of tofu? There’s no better time than the present to try new foods! If you’ve been stuck in a culinary rut as of late, make an effort to incorporate new ingredients and inventive recipes into your life.
Prep everything on Sunday.
Sunday Prep Day is crucial if you want to pack better lunches. Seriously, spending a few extra hours on meal prep at the start of the week is the only way to do the thing—because chances are, if you wait ‘til Monday or Tuesday, it’s just not gonna get done. Turn on Netflix or blast some old-school jazz, pour a glass of bubbly, and get to work!
And, when in doubt, go with these tried-and-true recipes.
If you’re unsure what to make this week, we’ve got you covered. First, Goop is a veritable treasure trove of yummy packable work lunches. We especially love their Miso + Sweet Potato Broccoli Bowl, the Chickpea and Kale Curry, and the Lentils with Salmon & Grilled Radicchio.
On a budget? Budget Bytes has awesome single-recipe meal prep ideas that won’t break the bank.
And this Bon Appetit list of lunchtime recipes and guidelines is bound to inspire some crazy-tasty meals.
What are you making for lunch this week? Share your fave recipes with us in the comments or on our Slack channel!
