How many of us out there have heard the recommendation to plan and pack our meals in advance? Yet, day after day, we still opt to eat out during the work or school week instead.

Why do we do this?

If you are like me, you worry about the time it will take! It can be difficult enough to get out of the house on schedule let alone think of what to make for lunch that day.

Well, I have a few simple and nutritious meals that can be easily prepared in under 30 minutes, and you don’t even have to be a culinary master to make them. All of these recipes can be packed and easily taken to work and/or school, just add a fruit of your liking and you have a complete lunch.

Recipe 1: Cucumber avocado roll ups

Prep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 Clove of garlic
  • 2 teaspoons of lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt
  • Few grinds of pepper
  • 1 Cucumber
  • Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Finely mince the garlic and toss into a bowl with the avocado, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mash all the ingredients together with a fork until smooth and creamy.
  2. Use a potato peeler to cut long, thin strips of cucumber.
  3. Take a cucumber strip and spread a thin coat of the avocado mixture along the length of the cucumber. Make sure to get some avocado all the way to the end so it will stick the roll together.
  4. Roll it up! You should not need toothpicks to keep the rolls together but if you have some on hand they can help. Do the same with the rest of your cucumber strips. Sprinkle each roll up with paprika.
  5. How many you make is up to you, depending on the size of the cucumber you can make up to 20 roll ups.

Recipe 2: Lemony tuna salad

Prep time: 5- 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 can of tuna
  • 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Mini bell peppers, seeded and chopped in half (optional)
  • Crackers (Nut thins work well with this recipe, also optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare tuna salad by combining tuna, juice from ½ a lemon into a bowl and as much salt and pepper as you’d like
  2. Mix together with a fork until all the ingredients are combined
  3. Taste salad and add more lemon juice if needed
  4. **optional: scoop tuna salad onto crackers or into mini bell peppers and enjoy! This salad is just as tasty on its own but the crackers and bell peppers can add more flavor and texture.

 

Please check in next week for two more lunch recipes!

By Marisa Stratton, Dietetic Aide