The Paleo Lunch Conundrum

I am a full time working mom. This means that I struggle on a daily basis to make the right choices for my lifestyle....for the simple fact of time. It takes a lot of time to prepare healthy and satisfying lunches, so the quick trip to McDonald's seems justifiable and logical.....until the scale tells you the truth about just how logical that choice was! Lunch (for me anyway) is the hardest meal to stick to. I am away from home, so that means that I have to prepare something healthy for myself. That isn't always easy.I hate hauling dishes back and forth to work. I always manage to get them out of the fridge for work, but always manage to leave them IN the fridge at work. Days later I am hauling 20 nasty, half empty bowls home. Here are some suggestions that have worked well for me.

1. Put it on a stick
Personally I prefer this option because it takes up minimal space, doesn’t require any cutlery and there’s nothing you have to take home again. The idea is simple, you create a cold shish kabob with chicken, some leftover beef or spicy sausage. Add some paprika, fresh ground pepper, cherry tomatoes or anything else you like and then spice it up a bit. Wrap in alimunium foil and you’re good to go.



2. Brown bagging it
This is the easiest and fastest to prepare, but you might need a knife or fork. Just take a paper bag and throw in a bell pepper, a mini cucumber, an apple or a kohlrabi. Anything that doesn’t drip liquids. Then pick your protein. Easy options are hard boiled eggs or canned tuna/salmon. But you could also throw in some leftover chicken as long as you wrap it in foil. And don’t forget nuts!


3. Tupperware galore
As I mentioned above, my biggest problem with tupperware is that it’s not disposable. I suppose it’s good for the environment and all, but I really hate taking dirty dishes back home. It does give you a lot of tasty options. A good salad is always nice, leftovers from last night’s dinner works great too. If you’ve got one of those containers with separate spaces you can even have a tapas like meal.
This is a great option when you have enough space in your bags. I carry a brief case, purse and often times, my gym bag. Last thing I want it to haul something else twice...especially when it is probably stinky because I have left it at work for a week.

4. Eating out
I try not to do this too much, because the budget is tight. But if you can afford it there are several good options. Take Subway for example, it’s not ideal but their salad is pretty good with some extra chicken and olive oil.
If you’re not too shy you can always ask for a lean burger or chicken sandwich without the bun. There is always something on the menu that will fit into your paleo diet. Remember, Paleo is the anti-vegan. When I eat out, I stick to Q'doba, Moe's or this amazing Thai restaurant across the street (they have the most amazing cashew pot-stickers). I find that these restaurants offer fresh and healthy options packed with plenty of protein....without having to rely on dairy.





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