Four Great Lunch Ideas

For some people with diabetes, lunch can be particularly challenging. Whether you work in an office, on a jobsite, or are busy running kids or grandkids around, eating healthy in the middle of the day can seem like an impossible challenge. Here are four great healthy lunch recipes that are delicious, simple to fix, and easy to take with you.

ITALIAN TUNA SALAD

One member recently wrote to me asking “What ‘real food’ can I eat? I’m not a rabbit.” If you feel like you’ve been eating way too much lettuce lately, here’s a great recipe that will change your perception of a salad. This Italian Tuna Salad is so hearty, it’s guaranteed to fill you up. The great blend of spices, crisp peppers, and healthy tuna pack a punch of flavor, while the beans add protein and fiber to keep you going. Pack a plastic container in your lunch box and take this low-carb lunch anywhere.

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/recipes/2671-italian-tuna-salad

SALSA CHICKEN SALAD

This recipe is so simple—it only has 5 ingredients. The combination of warm chicken breast, melted cheese, and fresh crisp lettuce will leave your mouth satisfied. But the super low carbohydrates will keep your blood sugar in good control as well. You can pop the chicken and cheese in the microwave in the break room for a few seconds. Then add it to your lettuce, salsa, and sour cream for an easy, at-work lunch.

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/recipes/2420-salsa-chicken-salad

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK LETTUCE CUPS

Here’s a twist on an American tradition. You get to keep all the great flavor of thinly sliced steak (be sure to pick a very lean cut), sautéed mushrooms and onions, and the American cheese. But by cutting out the bread, you save yourself from the afternoon blood sugar spike. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to enjoy this favorite on a hearty leaf of Romaine lettuce. You won’t even miss the bread—I promise!

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/recipes/2404-philly-cheesesteak-lettuce-cups

EGG SALAD SANDWICH

OK, so sometimes you just need a sandwich. Our diet expert, Toma Grubb, has suggested that you can enjoy a good egg salad sandwich, but choose sprouted wheat bread or Ezekiel bread which significantly reduces the glycemic load. Then by tossing out one of the egg yolks, you cut down on the fat and cholesterol but get to keep the flavor. I personally like to add a leaf of green leaf lettuce to my egg salad sandwich to give it a bit of crispness.

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/recipes/20-egg-salad-sandwich?page=5

Do you have your own healthy lunch suggestions? Leave your ideas in the comments below.