Packing the Perfect Lunch

By Donna Stark

Do you remember the lunches your mom used to pack when you were a child? And how they weren't necessarily your favorite thing to eat? Well, brown-bagged lunches have taken a turn, or as some might say, have grown up and they are totally different from what they used to be. So why don't you give them another chance? There's no better time to do so than now because National Pack Your Lunch Day occurs during the month of March!

Packing the Perfect Lunch

There really isn't just one way to pack your lunches, but there is one thing you should avoid at all costs. It's important to keep your lunches healthy, so avoid the prepackaged food items that are nutritionally deficient and high in sugar, fat, salt, and calories. Here are some great tips on how to pack the perfect lunch.

• Protein - Protein is the friend that will keep you feeling completely satisfied throughout the rest of the day. Try to include some Greek yogurt, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, nut butter, hummus, or some deli meat in your lunch.
• Produce - Adding a couple of servings of fruits and vegetables to your lunch is an easy way to increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Apples, bananas, oranges can be tossed in your bag alone, while carrots, celery, bell peppers, berries, and grapes should be placed in their own containers.
• Heart-healthy fats - Let's not forget those friendly, good-for-your-body fats! These can be found in almonds, avocadoes, olives, and even dark chocolate! In addition to being healthier than your regular bag of chips and the perfect side dish to your meal, these fats are also good for your heart and your brain!
• Beverage - You can make a lot of wrong decisions when it comes to your beverage, so make it easy on yourself and treat your body well by simply choosing water. If you don't like drinking plain water, try infusing it with lemon, mint, or cucumber. In fact, there are so many options to flavor your water that you won't even miss that bottle of juice or can of soda anymore.

Don't Deprive Yourself

Just because you are packing a healthy lunch doesn't mean you can't still enjoy a treat every now and then. So, go ahead and indulge in that brownie or cookie from home. Just do so in moderation. At the end of the day, it's all about balance and finding enjoyment in the food you eat because that is the best way to stay committed to this new healthy habit of yours!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Avondale, Ariz.