Working 9 til 5 can often leave little time for thinking about what to have for lunch, let alone actually making it. If you’re looking for a way to spice up that boring cheese sandwich you’ve been eating everyday for the past eight months, or just want to cut down on your spending, we’ve got a few ideas to spice up your work lunch.
Use your leftovers
Leftovers can make for the ideal lunch and are a great way to save money. If you’ve put a lot of time and effort into making a fragrant Sunday roast or a simply spiced chicken breast, there’s no reason for it to go to waste. Sandwich the left overs between your favourite kind of bread (try a crusty ciabatta roll instead of the standard supermarket loaf). For the likes of chicken or turkey, adding fresh lemon mayo and spinach greens can give it new life.
Add something different
Sandwiches are always going to be the go-to lunch food and there’s no reason why this should change. If you’re tired of having the same fillings everyday, try adding something extra to mix things up. Adding chutney, chipotle, french fried onions, pre-cooked bacon or even cheese can create a whole different taste sensation. Banana pepper rings, pickle or fresh basil can also be added to save you from a sandwich rut.
Adding something new to your daily lunch can make it more exciting. Picture: pexels.com
Create a tasty salad
Taking a salad for lunch doesn't need to be just be a part of the latest detox trend. To create a salad you can actually look forward to, spice up the main ingredients. Use arugula instead of iceberg lettuce, try a different kind of cheese instead of cheddar and add something you can get your teeth into. Leftover pasta or meat (chicken, turkey or steak all work well), can be flung onto a salad alongside a pre-prepared dressing to create a healthy and interesting work lunch.
Grilled Raspberry-Chipotle Chicken Salad. Picture: flickr.com
Add a side
If your quick lunch isn’t enough to keep you going throughout the rest of the day, adding a side is a great way to keep you satisfied. Instead of reaching for snack foods like crisps and chocolate, adding a little bit extra to your main meal could fill the hole. Sweet potato fries, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, a hard-boiled egg or crackers are easy snacks to pop in your lunch bag.
Carrot sticks are a perfect after work lunch snack. Get your hands on some dip - garlic hummus or sweet Thai chilli sauce work well - to give life to otherwise boring veg.
Create before you go
Finding time after work to create an exciting and flavoursome lunch can be a hard task. A great way to save time and have a lunch you’re going to enjoy is to prepare before hand. If you’ve got a spare few hours on a Sunday evening, why not prepare your favourite meal, pop it in the freezer and grab it on your way to work.
