I often find myself running around town on any given day of the week with absolutely NO CLUE about what to eat for lunch. Here’s the scenario: I leave the house at 8:15 AM with two toddlers by my side frantic that we are going to be late for school. I manage to remember everything they need, but regardless of the fact that I know I’ll be out of the house all day, I completely forget to pack a couple easy on-the-go snacks for myself. So fast forward four hours, and here I am sitting at a light on US1 absolutely STARVING. Skipping lunch is out of the question, but where does a Registered Dietitian stop to grab food on the go?
Yes, fast food drive-thrus can be tempting to even the most nutritionally-conscious people. There’s a reason these places are some of the most successful restaurants in town. (Yes, I said restaurants.) I often need to remind myself that the last time I gave into this beacon of convenience, I ended up asking the person on the other end of the menu five minutes’ worth of questions, and I still ended up with an unsatisfying “garden salad”. Determined to have a plan the next time this situation presented itself (and trust me, it happens more often than I would like to admit), I compiled this list of quick and easy lunch options for someone on-the-go.
- Coffee shops
If a chain coffee shop is the only store in sight there are always some healthy options available. Try to stay away from the muffins, danishes and donuts. Yes, these can be lovely treats to accompany your well-balanced breakfast, but they lack the necessary protein and whole-grains to keep you energized the rest of the day. Some nice options include Starbucks’ smoked turkey or protein boxes. They have done a great job pairing these sandwiches with a side of fruits and veggies. You can grab one at the register and walk right back out to your car (if that’s your prerogative). Hard to beat that speed. Dr. Smood has a couple of delicious salads. I absolutely LOVE the Quinoa Tandori Masala salad. It can be eaten warm or cold depending on your mood. It is packed with tons of nutrients and so much flavor. This dish could win over even the most health-averse eater you know. I also like the Kale Works salad. This is a great option if you’re trying to up your intake of greens. It has both hemp and sunflower seeds to add that little punch of protein. Pair it with a latte and you’ll have a complete meal ready in just a couple minutes.
- Grocery Stores
Another fantastic, yet easily overlooked fast option. You can head on back toward the produce section where they usually have a few nice prepared salad options. Try to select something that includes a protein (chopped chicken is easy to find). If you’re following a plant-based diet either grab an avocado, or choose from the abundant selection of nuts and seeds at the other end of the aisle. Cottage cheese is a filling and healthy option if you like dairy. If you’re in the mood for something more exciting, grocery stores almost ALWAYS have prepared sushi these days. Your best choices include sushi rolls that are not fried. You can even bump up your fiber intake by selecting something prepared with brown rice. Grab your item and you’ll be out the door within minutes.
- Smoothie Shops
These can be tricky. Mostly because many smoothie shops have recipes that include sugary fruit juice and over sugared yogurt. Take a look at the menu and see what ingredients are being offered across the board. Don’t be afraid to ask them to omit ingredients or use only coconut water or nut milk as a base. Have them fill up the blender with fresh fruits and veggies and a scoop of protein powder or unsweetened yogurt as a base. You’ll have a deliciously portable meal in seconds!
Essentially Yours,
Danielle
@eatlikedani