Some time ago I posted a Top Ten Healthy Lunches.  Readers may not know that I am actually cut back the carbohydrates in my food so I wouldn't actually eat most of what I put on the list.  Which brings me to the point of today's post.  Here is a sample of low carb lunches for those who want reduce the carbs in their diet:

1. One of my favourites is chicken drumsticks.  I cook these up on Sunday and have them in my fridge during the week.  Eat them cold or heat them in the microwave if one is available.
2. Eggs are a great low carb food, and current research shows that they do not raise cholesterol.  Eat as many as you want!  Hard boiled they make a great snack. Cheese is another low carber's friend.  Throw a couple of mini babybel's into your handbag.
3. On a similar theme the good old Scotch egg is a favourite of mine.  Bought ones have a crumb coating which contains carbs.  If you want to make your own you can crush pork rinds and use them as a coating.
4. Cold meats can be a great addition to your lunch box.  Ham, salami, liver sausage and speciality meats like tongue are very tasty.  Try spreading liver pate across a slice of ham and roll it up. It's surprisingly good!
5. You can mix any of these with a tossed salad.  Add lots of sliced peppers, avocado and any green stuff you can find.  Ordinary mayonnaise and sour cream dressings are often low in carbs, and a classic vinaigrette is good for and easy to make at home.  Don't do low fat though - they have a higher carb content than the full fat variety.
6. Make a salad of tinned salmon or tuna (or fresh of course) and mix with dressing, tomatoes and other accompaniments. 
7. With winter drawing a good warming lunch is soup.  I often buy a ready made one from major supermarkets, take it to work and heat it in the microwave.  If you can't do that try heating it at home and take it in a thermos.  Check the ingredients for the amount of carbs per serving. Some soups are very high in carbs, but I have found broccoli and stilton and chicken and coconut both lowish in carbs. 
8. Finally, try heating up last night's leftovers!  No reason why dinner can't be eaten at lunchtime too, and it's very economical.

Happy low carbing!

So last week we learned some exercises to do in the office.  I was reading that other day about the importance of eating a healthy diet to improve your quality of life, and of course that has a knock-on effect for your quality of work!  Here are 10 healthy lunch ideas:

1. Nothing wrong with a basic sandwich, especially if it is made at home and it doesn't contain a whole bunch of additives.  A simple filling of egg mayonnaise or tuna and tomato are healthy fillings.  You can mix these up the night before to save time in the morning.  Try making up sandwiches with left overs.  Cold chicken or other meat sliced, perhaps with a scraping of mustard.
2. One of my favourite lunches is sushi.  Perfectly do-able at home, but to be honest shop bought is probably easiest. Choose a selection that includes heatlhy fish to boost your Omega 3's (whatever they are!).
3. Mix up an avocado salad with tomato and goats cheese.  Sprinkle a bit of French dressing over and you have a very tasty and healthy bite to eat.  Might need to supplement it with some nuts or fruit.
4. Make up your own prawn cocktail with added extras like flaked salmon, chopped boiled egg and lettuce.  A very healthy fish-based meal.
5. Bake up a pile of chicken drumsticks at the weekend and take a couple in each day.  Perhaps add a salami stick and a couple of mini babybel cheeses.  This is a great low carb lunch.
6. Those not so worried about their carbs can put together a pasta salad.  Mix up some cooked pasta the night before, add dressing and perhaps tuna, chopped egg, avocado or tomato.  I suggest you make sure you have some protein in the meal to keep you going for the rest of the day.
7. With autumn upon us a nourishing soup might be worth considering.  Homemade would be nice, but to be honest I buy a pot from the supermarket and heat it up in the microwave.  Very nourishing.  Have with a bread roll or some crackers.
   
8. Vegetarians might want to consider a Tofu salad mixed with feta cheese, olives and a lemon and olive oil dressing.
9. And finally, pita pockets stuffed with filling of choice such as tuna, egg mayo, or any other sandwich filling.  For variety swap the pita for wraps which are readily available in most supermarkets now.

A piece of fruit, a yoghurt or a handfull of nuts can complete the meal.  Water should be the drink of choice.  Fruit juice has a ton of sugar in it already (even the 100% pure juice), but if you must drink it, make sure you choose one that has no added sugar.

Happy munching!!