Healthy Diet For Lunch

A healthy diet has several implications for different people as concept of health changes keeping age, gender and body type in mind. In general, we all more or less run our body on a general diet that fills out stomach and provides basic level of energy every day. Let’s think about a glass of sugary soft drink that though provides ample amount of energy but does it really supply the kind of nutrition our body requires! Health is precious, according to Ayurveda; body is the temple, where soul resides. So, we must take care of this temple. All your achievements will fall flat unless you have a healthy mind and body to relish the success.

In our busy lives, we often tend to skip lunch or breakfast; many prefer having  a combination of lunch and breakfast called brunch, which by nature is heavy and somewhat tries to compensate body’s requirement when it breaks 7-9 hour long fast. Ideally, your breakfast should be heavy and lunch bit lighter but our lifestyle does not always run on ideal situations. So, here is a guideline and some tips that will be discussed so that one can design menu of lunch keeping his or her lifestyle in mind.

Staple nutrients that your lunch should have

A typical lunch should contain lots of fibers as US Dietary guidelines suggests that your food should contain whole grain which is rich in fiber, green leafy vegetables and right amount of protein. Whole wheat, barley and oats are 100% whole grain that suffices required daily dose of fiber. As a major portion of Americans has lunch or dinner in car, so they tend to pick up junk food from road side eateries and diners. That is why dieticians and doctors advise to carry homemade lunch and stress on preparing meals at home. These two practices not only save money but also health.

Why do you need a healthy lunch?

On an average, an American, every year consumes one ton food, of which a large section is covered by fast food and dairy products. Fast food or junk food is an inseparable part of every American’s life. Being a country of migrants the eating habit has also become diverse. Influences of numerous cultures have fueled the fast food culture. This habit has made this country the capital of type 2 diabetes. Consumption of packed food, instead of fresh food is leading to intake of unnecessary preservatives. Almost 10% of their disposable incomes go on buying junk foods. This tendency should be curbed at earliest.

What is a hygienic lunch?

 A hygienic lunch would be of fresh, organic and homemade; cooked in a clean kitchen, where the cook has maintains basic standards of hygiene. The Department of Agriculture in U.S. has found wide spread use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables; it is called dirty dozen. So, stress should be given on having organic vegetables and fruits.

Some healthy lunch ideas

In U.S., burger, donuts, sandwiches and French fries are eaten on everyday basis. Dairy products and high calorie food consumptions are heavily in vogue. Many people only count calories instead of nutritional values at the time of eating. Here are names of some food preparations that are high on nutrition but low on calorie-

• Slow cooker Panang curry with chicken and cauliflower- It’s wholesome rice curry made with chicken coconut milk and lots of vegetables.
• Caesar salad with crispy chicken-  make with your leftover chicken with Caesar dressing
• Greek style chicken salad- you and your children both would equally like this recipe full of veggies and proteins.
• Avocado, sprout, and cashew spread sandwich- Spread some cashew spread on bread, preferably made of whole grains and place mentioned fruits and veggies, salt and pepper in between.

A guide to few Restaurant names that maintain the nutritional values

It is hard to find a ‘healthy restaurant’ because nothing can vouch for whether a restaurant is following healthy ways of cooking or using only organic foods. We often encounter with left over foods made in unhygienic conditions in restaurants. You can take help from healthydiningfinder.com. A healthy diet depends on your healthy selection. Following is the list of four fast food joints which serve good hygienic foods According to the latest survey done by health.com-

• Panara Bread- Serves delicious organic food in 1230 locations across U.S. and Canada. They have a comprehensive menu and serves only healthy meals.
• Jason’s Deli – This restaurant allows you to control food portions and has created a separate menu of ultra healthy sandwiches. They also have put detailed nutritional information in their menu.
• Au Bon Pain- Severs on 280 locations and has pioneered healthy dining practice. Serves hormone free chicken and whole grain food.
• Noodles and Company- It’s not a typical Asian food joint; they take care of grease on your food and use pure soybean oil and also organic chicken to prepare their delicious menus.

The choice of a healthy life and healthy living solely depends on the choices you make. A healthy lunch is just a part of it. Be ruthless of nutrition less junk food and stay healthy.