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When it comes to eating a healthy, balanced diet, lunchtime can often be the most difficult meal to plan. Working in an office environment can make it even harder when you’re looking for something that won’t break your dietary restrictions and won’t leave you feeling bloated and lethargic before the end of the day. If you’re following a healthy ketogenic diet – or ‘keto’ as it is commonly known – then finding something suitable can be even more challenging.
Check this out: Ten Inexpensive Keto-Friendly Snacks you can Make at Home
Keto diets are low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets that rely on the body going into a state of ketosis and burning fat as its main source of energy instead of carbs. As such, foods like breads and pastas, which are usually staples at lunchtime, are off limits, making it harder to find something delicious and filling. But fear not! There are plenty of tasty keto-friendly lunches that can easily be taken to work with you; here are five great examples that will help keep your energy levels up without compromising on flavor.
1. Keto Cobb Salad
A classic cobb salad is an ideal option for those following a ketogenic diet; simply switch out traditional lettuce for other leafy greens such as rocket or spinach and replace starchy carbs like croutons with some delicious bacon bits or boiled eggs instead. The combination of fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumber mixed with protein packed options like cheese, nuts or avocado makes this salad both filling and nutritious; perfect for keeping hunger pangs at bay until dinner time.
2. Chicken Avocado Wraps
Wraps are one of my favorite quick lunches when I’m on the go; they keep everything together nicely without having to worry about messiness or spills! For a keto friendly wrap option try using large lettuce leaves (such as iceberg) instead of regular flour tortillas; fill them with cooked chicken strips, sliced avocado (or guacamole), tomatoes & peppers for added crunch plus some mayonnaise if desired for extra indulgence! These wraps taste great either hot or cold so if you have access to microwave facilities at work these can easily be heated up in just a few minutes.
3. Keto Tuna Salad Bowl
Tuna is another great protein source that fits perfectly into any ketogenic lifestyle; mix canned tuna chunks (in brine) with diced celery & red onion plus some mayonnaise & lemon juice to create a delicious tuna salad served over spinach leaves & topped with sliced olives & cherry tomatoes – the perfect light yet satisfying lunch! If you don’t want all the messiness associated with mixing ingredients together try prepping your tuna salad mixture in advance so all you need to do come lunchtime is spoon it onto your bed of greens & top with some olives & cherry tomatoes – easy peasy!
4. Keto Egg Salad Bowl
Eggs are always a winner when it comes to following any type of restrictive diet due their high nutritional content combined with versatility & affordability; egg salads make an excellent choice for those following the keto way too! With this recipe all you need is hard boiled eggs (you could also use poached eggs if preferred), diced celery & spring onions plus some mayonnaise & Dijon mustard – combine everything together then spoon onto spinach leaves before topping with cherry tomatoes & Parmesan shavings should you desire extra indulgence! This egg salad bowl makes an incredibly satisfying lunch option but feel free to add/swap out veggies depending on what takes your fancy…I love adding sweetcorn kernels myself but obviously this isn’t exactly conducive to following a strict keto diet so I tend not too ?
5. Bacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwich
Ahhh BLT sandwiches…a classic British staple! And yes there IS still room for them in any restricted eating regime including keto – simply substitute regular bread slices for large lettuce leaves (either iceberg or romaine) spread generously with butter then layer up slices of streaky bacon along with ripe tomato slices plus any other desired condiments before assembling into two ‘sandwiches’ complete your meal by serving alongside a simple side salad made from leafy greens dressed lightly in olive oil/balsamic vinegar combo…delicious ?
Check this out: Ten Keto-Friendly Breakfasts you can Make in a Hurry.
So there we have five tasty ideas which make ideal lunches, complemented with brain-boosting black coffee, when following any type of restricted diet – particularly good options when adhering strictly to one such as Ketogenic Eating Plans due their relative ease-of-preparation plus nutrient density providing maximum satisfaction whilst keeping within dietary parameters…enjoy!!
