Plant powered lunches
Lunch time can be a great opportunity to incorporate plant based foods into your diet. Lunch is usually rushed and unplanned and often omitted altogether, it can also become repetitive with people choosing the same foods to have for lunch for the whole week.
A healthy lunch can set us up for the afternoon preventing energy slumps caused by erratic blood sugar levels, a well balanced lunch can also improve concentration and mental performance in the afternoon.
Here are some tips to help get the best out of your lunch time meal
Always plan ahead, food choices that are rushed will almost always result in quick fixes like takeaways or fast food. Try to plan for the whole week making up lunch boxes the night before, left over evening meals could also be used, plant based chili's, curry's, casseroles could all be reheated the next day for a nutritious lunch saving time and money.
If you are having a mix of carbs and protein try to avoid boredom by choosing different carbs. Breads/ bagels/ wraps/ baguettes/ chapati/ naan or pitta. Use brown, whole meal, sourdough or rye bread instead of white. Pasta, rice, noodles or potatoes hot or cold in salads are also good options.
Protein fillers
There is no shortage of health plant based protein to add to salads, sandwiches, soups or jacket potatoes. Spreads like hummus , guacamole, mushroom or plant based pates, falafel, unsalted nut butters and meat and fish vegan alternatives which are all now available in supermarkets and can all make for a healthy and energy packed lunch time meal.
There is no healthier lunch than a nice hot bowl of homemade vegetable soup easy to make, transport in a flask, power packed with your favourite vegetables, try and choose this option at least once a week. You can also make a big batch and freeze portions ready to pull out of the freezer the day before.
Always try to get out of the office or have a change of scene when eating lunch. It is all to easy to stay at your desk and eat while still working. If your mind is on your computer the energy needed to digest your meal will be diminished leading to quick eating, over eating and could cause digestion problems.
The original takeaway superfood that has been around for thousands of years- fruit. Lunch is a great opportunity to pack a couple of pieces into your lunch box to give you a quick fix of natural energy for the afternoon ahead.
RECIPE ROASTED PEPPER HUMMUS
SERVES 4
In a food processor or blender, mix:
- a can of chickpeas
- 1 garlic clove
- the juice of 1 lemon
- 1 chopped red pepper
- 1 tsp of virgin olive oil
- 120 ml of tahini paste.
Blend to a smooth paste and sprinkle over some paprika, roasted chickpeas and some parsley.
Serve with hot pitta bread or flatbread.
To super charge this meal open 2 capsules of OmniVegan Omega 3 and pour the oil over the top.
In our next blog we look at plant based evening meals.