What’s Missing In Your Lunch Box?
We all have different eating personalities. Some of us are all day nibblers; others eat little thru the day and are nighttime feasters. Whatever your eating style, I have found a common denominator- nighttime tends to be when we prefer eating comfort foods. It’s the wind down period from a busy day. How many times have you eaten according to plan until arriving home, and your intentions for the perfect healthy supper go out the window? The salad, the steamed broccoli, and the squash were wonderful ideas until 6pm arrived… at that moment the stress of the day has left you craving a giant bowl of cereal, the kids’ graham crackers, or worse your spouse has brought home pizza and your ability to resist is weak! How do you break thru this frequent battle and succeed with your diet?
The solution may be what you need to put in your lunch pail! I have found that my most successful eating style is to eat HUGE quantities of veggies at lunch. At this point in the day, I am not tired or stressed and my desire to “eat right,” or rather, “eat my veggies,” is still high. My lunch bucket might be 20-30 baby carrots dipped into two single serving size tubs of Delmonte or Costco’s guacamole. (Costco’s is the best, especially if you like a chunky texture. Delmonte’s is smooth.) The fat of the avocado coupled with the high water and cellulose content of the carrots keeps me full, not to mention it is visually a large quantity so my eyes are satisfied too! Another quick fix option is to cook 2-3 cups of frozen mixed veggies or green beans in the microwave. Next cook you favorite single serving frozen meal- I prefer a mashed potato and meat loaf style one. Mix the two together in a big bowl, add a bit more salt, and you’ve got a pseudo Shepard’s Pie. Fyi, this is also an easy supper to fix that still seems like comfort food since the veggies are covered. Amy’s Veggie Loaf is my favorite.
So to bring this full circle, getting in all your veggies at lunch will not only fill you up better than the yogurt, apple, and cheese stick you’ve been packing, but should your defenses come tumbling down at 6pm, you can rest a bit easier knowing you’ve already gotten your veggies in for the day! Go ahead and have a plate of spaghetti and don’t feel guilty about the French bread. And if you’re up for more veggies, then all the better!
Try this for one week and let me know how it works for you! Cheers!
Anti-Cook Girl 