Packing Your Lunch for the Office
Whether you’re hoping to meet your nutritional needs or attempting to cut down on the cost of takeaways or eating out, we’ve got you. Understandably, the return to a regular workplace can be overwhelming. It may help to keep some part of your day, such as your diet, the same to make the transition easier. Here’s how you can pack lunch for your workday without making your life any more complicated:
Getting the Right Lunch Box
The biggest issue with packing lunch is that it doesn’t stay fresh until lunchtime. First, you have to store your lunch box in a refrigerator and then you have to warm your food in the oven (if there’s even a fridge and oven in your office in the first place). Some people don’t like that and only prefer fresh food — hence the vicious cycle of burning money on takeaways or eating out, especially if your colleagues are doing the same.
But there’s a way you can cook delicious meals at home (cost-effective), pack them in a lunch box and keep them fresh until lunchtime. How? The secret is insulated lunch boxes.
What’s an Insulated Lunch Box?
It’s a lunch box designed to keep your food hot for hours on end. It’s usually made out of stainless steel or borosilicate glass and is further stored in a second bag (usually made out of nylon or some woolen material). If you would like to take a larger quantity of food or avoid mixing different kinds of food, you may want to buy a lunch box that has with at least 2-3 containers.
Plan in Advance
Unless you’ve got some delicious leftovers from the previous night, you’re going to have a hard time deciding what to pack for lunch at the last minute. So, make sure you’ve done ample brainstorming on what you should be packing for lunch. If you’re fond of frozen food, make sure you’ve got your freezer stacked well. If you love sandwiches, make sure you’ve got the marinated protein, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes and eggs. Meal prep will significantly reduce the likelihood of you ordering in.
You Can Never Go Wrong With Packing Light Meals
Eating foods loaded with simple carbs or fats will make you feel slow for the rest of the day. It’s always best to avoid fried foods and go with healthier options instead. A chicken salad or some fish with boiled rice and vegetables can be considered a balanced meal. While you may cheat once in a while, you must always be conscious of the post-meal heaviness that’ll only reduce your productivity and ultimately make you want to sleep.
Don’t Ignore Any Dietary Restrictions or Health Goals
If certain foods are bad for your stomach, avoid them. For example, lots of people cannot consume dairy or gluten without feeling unwell. If that’s the case with you too, be mindful of the ingredients you’re using to prep your meals.
Alternatively, if no lunch or very light lunch (perhaps a smoothie) is what you prefer, prep accordingly by all means. If you’re planning to get shredded, a high-protein and low-carb lunch will also do wonders for your evening game at the gym.
Lunch Should Be Exciting
Lastly, just because we’re advising you to eat light, doesn’t mean that you start eating food that doesn’t’ excite you. Your lunch should be the tastiest meal of the day so you’re looking forward to enjoying it after working for 4-5 hours. If you’re fond of olives, add them. Like beef steaks? Keep them in your fridge for a full-of-protein afternoon. Can’t seem to enjoy your soup unless it’s loaded with mushrooms? Get the mushrooms! All your meals should be finger-lickin’ good, not just those that are ordered in!