Sticking to a healthy eating plan can be difficult when you eat lunch at an office everyday. You might waste money going to food trucks or nearby restaurants, succumb to the donuts in the workroom, or eat only protein bars. While meal prep seems daunting, it is actually a very easy way to save money, stick to a plan, and get creative in the kitchen. Here’s everything you need to know to be successful at making your own lunches.
Plan ahead
The last thing you want to do on a Sunday morning is head to the grocery store and stay up late putting together your meals for the week. Instead, come up with a list of ingredients or recipes you’d like to try mid-week. Get your shopping done by Thursday, then cook and assemble as the weekend progresses so you don’t spend a whole day in the kitchen. Breaking it up into smaller tasks makes it less of a chore and gives you time to do all of the other things you want to do. If you have trouble staying organized, try a meal planner or learn how to bullet journal for meal prep.
Prepare in bulk
If you don’t like the idea of eating the same thing for lunch every day, skip out on making a large-batch recipe. Instead, prepare several options in bulk so that you can mix-and-match throughout the week. Start with a base, like crock-pot shredded chicken. Then roast, steam, or stir-fry a variety of vegetables–whatever sounds good to you. Be sure to prepare some kind of grain, whether that’s rice, quinoa, noodles, or bread for a sandwich. Once you have all the various parts cooked, get creative with combinations the night before work. It’s easy to create wholly different meals from bulk prepping, so don’t be concerned about running out of options.
Don’t forget your fruits and vegetables
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, and one of the best ways to incorporate both into your meals regularly is in salads. Meal-prepped salads have come a long way since the days of buying a pre-packaged bag or container at the grocery store. The easiest–and prettiest–way to prepare salads ahead of time is a mason jar salad. The idea is simple: assemble your salad in layers in a mason jar, take it to work with you, and pour it into a bowl come lunchtime. The possibilities are endless–you can change the dressing every day, add different nuts or veggies, swap lettuce blends, and so much more.
Eating healthy, fulfilling lunches every day shouldn’t break the bank or be something you dread. Meal prepping can make your lunchtime at the office more relaxing and give you more time to take a break. At EON, we understand that taking care of the little things can be a drain on your energy, which is why we do it for you. If you want to spend more time at work focusing on what you need to do, or that delicious meal you’ve made in advance, contact us now.
