Sad desk lunches are a tragic part of office life. From sandwiches straight out of the vending machine to burgers from that fast food joint around the block, we’ve all had our fair share of sad desk lunch staples.

Although quick and convenient, these foods should be the last thing on our workstations. Besides their apparent lack of nutrients, fast food can lead to some serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

But the things is: we know that these foods aren’t great. So what’s keeping us from taking fresh, delicious and nutritious homemade meals to work?

How to avoid a sad desk lunch

For most people, lunch is often the last thing on their minds in the morning. It’s tedious enough to whip up lunch on the weekends. Imagine doing that while getting dressed for work.

But preparing a delicious packed lunch doesn’t have to be a complicated business. Neither should it take ages to make. With a bit of meal prep know-how, it’s possible to spice up that boring lunchtime routine.

Take a look at these tips for avoiding a mediocre meal at work:

Use a rainbow of ingredients

Color influences appetite and eating habits. If it didn’t, fast food chains and food brands wouldn’t be spending thousands of dollars on marketing alone. The same principle applies to desk lunches, so go ahead and pack a couple of carrot sticks, fresh tomato slices and capers.

Invest in a prettier container

Who said anything about sticking to boring old lunch containers? Go ahead and take that cute bento box or expensive glass food container to work. Just think about what container would pump you up for lunch and use that.

Garnish

It’s also important to consider garnish when building a proper lunch. Last night’s salad, for instance, might need a bit of lemon juice to brighten it up. Sprinkling chopped herbs over leftover meat can also make it a lot more appetizing than plain old reheated food.

Utilize work appliances

Making use of communal appliances at the office cafeteria is a great cost-efficient method of preparing and eating fresh food. For instance, instead of making grilled cheese sandwiches at home, just bring the ingredients and use the toaster oven at work.

Add fancier ingredients

There’s nothing wrong with using fancier ingredients from time to time. In fact, indulging in delicious but pricier foods like imported cheese, sushi-grade tuna and macadamia nuts can enhance mood and light up the brain’s pleasure center.

Pack a cup of yogurt

Yogurt is rich in probiotics that enhance digestion. In fact, nutritionists recommend finishing a full cup after a meal to supercharge the good bacteria in the gut that break down food molecules.

Know where to go

Make a mental note of food joints around the block that sell fresh, whole foods. It’s great for a quick run for fresh fruits, warm bread and even rice.

Prepare a side dish

Preparing a meat dish for lunch? Great, but don’t forget to pack veggies to go with it for a well-rounded meal. A couple of salad greens should be enough, but it doesn’t have to be the standard.

Decorate with shapes

You don’t have to go overboard on the ingredients when decorating a meal. Make ingredients on-hand double as garnish. For instance, go ahead and use carrot sticks, cucumber rounds and mushroom slices to decorate fish fillets or beef chunks.

Bring condiments

There’s nothing like a quick dash of olive oil or hot sauce to spice up a dish. You don’t have to leave them at home either. Just be sure to pack them in mini bottles or travel-sized containers. You wouldn’t want to get weird looks from the supervisor.

Pack nutritious snacks

Nutritious snacks aren’t just for snacking. You can also use them for dessert. Consider packing a bar of dark chocolate, homemade cookies or a good old banana to finish lunch with.

Make sad desk lunches a thing of the past with these tips. For more articles about meal prep tips and nutritious lunch recipes, visit NaturalNewsRecipes.com.

Sources:

Health.com

HeWise.com