Low Carb Lunch

Lunch time can often be a problem for many people. Whether you are at work or home, most of us tend to grab a snack at lunch time, usually in the form of an easy to make or buy  sandwich. However, if you are on a low carb diet, bread is usually not an option. Here I have suggested a selection of ideas for a low carb lunch that can just as easily be made to take to work or for a low carb lunch at home.

Salads are a popular choice for someone on a low carb diet. Salads need not be a boring plate of lettuce and cheese on a low carb diet. Use lots of salad greens such a rocket, spinach and watercress. These not only add a lovely peppery flavor to a salad, but contain a good variety of nutrients than lettuce. Many salads can be bought pre-prepared. So when buying for a low carb lunch, having a bag in the fridge is very convenient.

You are only limited by your imagination as to what goes into your salad. Cold meats such as chicken, beef, pork make a filling low carb lunch. Fish such as salmon and tuna (tinned or fresh) or seafood, not only make a filling lunch, but provide you with essential vitamins and minerals. A Greek salad using feta cheese and extra eggs for protein or the classic Caesar salad are easy to prepare and pack for work.

When on any diet it is important to have variety to stop boredom creeping in, so try to vary your low carb lunch menu. Adding flavor to your salads helps make them more interesting. So if using chicken in your salad, think about having chicken tikka or grilled chicken marinated in your favourite herbs and spices.

Adding a dressing to your salad is another way to add interest and flavor. If using bottled dressings always check the labels for carb values first by looking at the grams of carbohydrates. Many branded salad dressings have a high carb value. But there are many salad dressings you can make up yourself. Using olive oil as a salad dressing is very versatile. Olive oil can be bought with herbs such as basil and garlic already added. Keep a bottle at work to pour over your salad at the last moment to keep it crisp and fresh.

One very simple dressing that goes with many low carb lunch salads is lime dressing. You will need: 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon water, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, seasoning to taste and some sweetener to taste. Put the lime juice and water in a bowl and add the sweetener. Season to taste and whisk together. Whisk in the olive oil.

For those who prefer something hot for their low carb lunch, soup provides a complete meal in a bowl. There a very few ready made soups that are low carb, so if buying soup read the label first. Miso soup is one low carb soup. Low carb soup is a great way to use up leftovers, make up a big batch and freeze it to have a ready supply of low carb lunches. There are many low carb soup recipes on line.

If cooking chicken, a delicious base for a soup is the chicken stock. Boil the bones from the chicken for at least half an hour, longer if you have time. Strain through a sieve and either cool and freeze for later or use straight away for your soup. Frying some onions or leeks and adding low carb vegetables such as mushrooms and peppers and then blending them together with the chicken stock makes a very comforting low carb lunch.

Eggs are another great low carb lunch that are quick and easy to prepare. Omelettes can be loaded with many different low carb ingredients such as cheese, ham, mushrooms, peppers or low carb vegetables. Or have scrambled egg in a low carb tortilla topped with cheese.

Of course if you have to eat out at work it is not all that easy to find a low carb restaurant or snack bar. But with a little thought you can choose somewhere to eat that has low carb foods on the menu. For instance a steak restaurant, you could have the steak and a green salad or grilled chicken or salmon. Many pizza places have very good salads, just make sure you ask for the dressing on the side. And yes you can have a burger, just don't eat the bun.

For those wishing to buy a low carb lunch or low carb fast food ready prepared there are many low carb protein shakes and low carb bars on the market. Low carb protein bars provide a quick snack. While this is not sufficient for a daily meal, they are handy to have in an emergency and can be kept in the office drawer or kitchen cupboard.

One of the best ways to make sure you have a low carb lunch ready is by using leftovers. When you make a main meal think about making a little extra or saving some for your lunch. Simply put it in a plastic container in the fridge for the next day or freeze batches for another time. This way you can build up a varied selection of 'ready meals'.

There are many low carb recipes on line to help you choose your low carb lunch. Being prepared for your week ahead also helps you stick to your low carb diet. Make a menu plan for the week and shop for the ingredients you will need. This is also a good way to save waste.

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