HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (TENNESSEE VALLEY LIVING) - When balancing a busy work day, it can be hard to incorporate a healthy, balanced meal. Registered Dietitian Maika Luongo says lunchtime for working adults can be easy with a bit of planning and prep.
The adult charcuterie box includes cheese, veggies, nuts, eggs, deli meats, and hummus. To make it more balanced, Maika would add crackers for a bit of starch. This is perfect for someone that doesn’t want to make something complicated, but wants to hit all those food groups.
The warm southwest bowl is for someone that has a microwave at work and can heat it up during break! Bowls are easy to prep in advance - make a large batch of ground beef or turkey, then add rice and toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes and onions.
The cold salad chicken caprese can be made with grilled or baked chicken and quinoa which is also prepped ahead of time. Top it with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and some basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or a balsamic glaze!
A salad with protein is super easy. Maika says you can add shrimp for some added protein! Maika loves the pre-kit salads to minimize washing and cutting lettuce and veggies. They also come with portion controlled toppings and dressing. The pre-kit salads can be pricier, so she usually looks for BOGO deals!
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One of Maika’s favorite dinners is stuffed peppers. It’s easy to make, balanced, and can make 6 peppers at a time! Stuffed peppers can be stuffed with ground beef or turkey, mixed veggies, quinoa or rice, and beans. So, you’ll get more than one meal out of it.
The tuna salad sandwich is a classic. The tuna can be prepped ahead of time and mixed with some mayo or Greek plain yogurt and put in between two slices of whole grain bread. You can add lettuce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers or baby carrots on the side and dip with hummus or ranch dressing. Miaka would also add a piece of fruit on the side for a complete meal so you can stay satisfied longer.
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