National "Make Lunch Count" Day!
April 13th
Lunch is a meal most often eaten away from home; usually at work or school. This National Day came about to encourage workers to abandon their desk during their lunch break to boost productivity and creativity.
Many people are not eating lunch, and this is a harmful habit for our bodies. We get our energy from food, and it just so happens that lunch gives us the energy we need to stay focused and concentrate better to get through the midday slump. Also, studies have shown that those who skip lunch tend to overeat at dinner time, because your body has gone too long without the proper fuel.
So lets talk about what a healthy lunch would look like:
- Eating from at least 3 food groups for lunch.
- Fill in your snacks with the other food groups missed during lunch to stay in balance with your dietary needs.
Here are some examples of healthy lunch choices that include at least 3 of the food groups:
- Spinach Salad with grilled chicken and orange sections.
- Brown rice with chicken breast (roasted, grilled, or baked) and cottage cheese.
- Whole-grain wrap with turkey, vegetables (lettuce, spinach, peppers, onion, etc.)
- Stir fried vegetables and tofu (or black beans) over quinoa.
- Brown rice topped with dried fruit, with a glass of milk.
Here are some examples of healthy snacks choices that include at least 2 of the food groups:
- Low-fat or fat-free yogurt, with berries and granola.
- Celery, raisins and peanut butter (or nut free butter).
- Whole grain crackers with turkey and avocado.
- Apple slices and low-fat cheddar cheese.
Make every bite count. Small changes matter.
Pick one or two ways that you can switch to healthier choices.
Start simple, the benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite!
Remember, being healthy includes healthy eating and physical activity!
