When you are constantly on the go, finding ways to ensure you eat healthy and balanced meals can be difficult. Vending machines, cafes and local restaurants feel like an easy alternative and let’s face it; it can be challenging to choose a healthier option. However, if you factor in the cost of eating meals and snacks out, it can mean spending a small fortune on just sustaining yourself.
Work is tiring enough, so the last thing on your mind when you are rushing out the door in the morning is your lunch. This is why a little time spent organising and preparing can help you make good choices. While it can initially feel overwhelming to plan ahead there are ways you can make the process as easy and creative as possible. Our Hope Lane Design team have come together to share some of our favourites.
Lunch Boxes
Between TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, there is a whole community dedicated to creative lunchbox ideas for every member of your family (yes even the dog!). Salads, sandwiches, snacks, veggies and dips; you name it, and there is an exciting way to put it together. Invest in some funky Bento style lunch boxes and bookmark some of your favourite options to help motivate you.
Temperature Controlled
While there is something comforting about hot soup on a cold day, your thermos can be used for so much more. Curries, stir-fries and other warm dishes hold up well in a thermos. This is a great option if you are constantly on the road or don’t have a microwave at work. If you prefer salads or items that are meant to be stored cold, then cooler bags are a great option. Like lunchboxes, there are some fun thermoses and cooler bags out there so invest in a fun design to up your mealtimes.
Jar it
Salad jars, overnight oats, smoothie jars - there is just something fun and rustic about using jars to transport your meals. The beauty of these jar meals is that they are easy to transport and can be made in advance. Make some overnight oats or a chia pudding, top with some yoghurt, nuts and fruit, and you've got a fancy parfait that is not only healthy but balanced. Salad jars can be as variety-filled as you like! Make them colourful so that not only are they pretty to look at, but you will get a great mix of micronutrients.
Charcuterie Style
Charcuterie boards often make us think of lazy afternoons spent sipping on wine. While you need to forgo the wine at work, there is nothing stopping you from putting together a selection of foods to rival any Sunday afternoon charcuterie board. Cut-up veggies, small portions of cheese, crackers, dips like hummus and tzatziki and slices of meat like ham are the perfect combo of fats, carbs and protein to give that lux feel on the go. Bento lunch boxes are also a great way to pack your lunch time feast.
Good Ole’ Meal Prep
It can be a little daunting to batch-make meals, but it is a great way to ensure that you have balanced, yummy and easy meals on the go. Pasta, chilli, leftovers - the options are endless.
If you want a little more variety in your week, prep ingredients instead of prepping whole meals. Marinate and cook up meat. Roast some vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Grab some steamed veggie bags. Save time by purchasing pre-cut vegetables. Cook up some rice and/or other grains in advance. That way, you can mix and match what you take. The simple formula of a grain, a green and a protein is a great place to start when putting meals together. Prepare or even buy a tasty dressing or sauce; you have so many combinations that will keep you full, healthy and interested.
Even simple dishes are taken to the next level with different spices, sauces or dressings. Investing in different containers and coolers can elevate your game, and are well worth the money you will save from eating out every day. Having creative and tasty meals on the go does not have to be a massive task; all it takes is a little planning. If you are stuck with recipe ideas and/or struggling to plan your meals, check out our planner. We have different weekly recipes available via QR Code, so you can keep your mealtimes fun and healthy.
