A lot of what we believe about packing lunches could be holding us back from eating our favourite foods at school or work. It’s time to set aside these beliefs and enjoy packed lunches for what they really are: quick, healthy, and tasty.
Packing a lunch is a great way to have a nutritious meal on-hand that will power you through the day. When you have a packed lunch, you won't need to buy expensive pre-made meals. You can eat foods you enjoy rather than feeling limited to what you can find in the short amount of time between classes.
Learn to love packed lunches
Packing a lunch can seem daunting.
From feeling like you don’t have enough time to not being sure what to make, you can be left running out of your front door with no food. We’re here to show you that you don’t have to let these barriers hold you back anymore.
Too much work and not enough time
Even if school work takes up the majority of your time, it’s still important to take study breaks. Putting a pause on your studies can give your brain a break and help you pack brain-boosting foods for lunch.
Mornings are too rushed
Instead of packing your lunch in the morning, make your lunch the day before. Or, spend some time on the weekend to make your lunches for the week. This way, all you will have to do in the morning is grab your lunch and head to school.
My food will get too warm or too cold
No one likes opening their lunchbox and finding that their rice has gone cold or their salad has gotten warm. No worries—you can buy insulated lunch containers or bags to keep your lunch the perfect temperature. There are even wide insulated containers that can hold anything from salads to stir-fries and pasta.
It’s bland
Make your lunch more delicious by combining foods that go well together. By adding a few extra ingredients to your meal, your lunch will be more satisfying.
For example, beans like chickpeas give a soft texture to a crunchy salad. The addition of sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes make a salad come to life. Avocado has a creamy texture that will make a bland sandwich delicious.
The right food combos even make for better snacks. We've discovered that dried fruit or dark chocolate goes well with mixed nuts to make a tasty and nutrient-dense snack. Or, make yogurt more filling and nutritious by adding granola, berries, and nuts.
It’s always the same
Instead of having the same packed lunch every day, change it up. The more creative you are with your meal, the more fun and exciting it will be. For example, bento boxes allow you to pack your foods into different compartments. Watch this video for inspiration on packing creative bento boxes.
Quick and easy lunches
Nutritious and tasty lunches can be quick and easy to make. For example, a wrap only requires a few ingredients and very little effort.
The chicken guacamole wrap recipe below has a great balance of the food groups that make up a healthy diet. Whether you have a full kitchen or not, you can still easily make recipes like this.
Chicken guacamole wrap - Inspired by bbcgoodfood.com
To personalize the wrap, switch out any ingredients with the foods that you like. To make it a meatless meal, swap the chicken for a vegetarian protein such as beans or tofu.
Ingredients:
- 1 tortilla wrap
- 2 tbsp guacamole
- ½ chicken breast, grilled and shredded
- ½ red pepper, sliced
- 2 tbsp grated cheese
Instructions:
- Spread the guacamole down the middle of the tortilla wrap
- Lay the shredded chicken breast and the sliced red pepper on top.
- Sprinkle with grated cheddar and roll up tightly.
- Wrap in baking parchment and tie with string, or roll tightly in cling film
Try it out
Try making a packed lunch and discover that it’s quick, easy, tasty, and worth the effort.
Need some more inspiration? Watch this video on 5 healthy meal prep ideas.
