Ideas for a Healthy and Inspired Brown Bag Lunch

If you work in an office, you've probably eaten a brown bag lunch at your desk. You certainly aren't the only one with a brown bag lunch though. Lots of people eat at their desks and bring a brown bag lunch. For some, this is a great time to brainstorm for ideas. For others, it's a time to catch up on email. But a brown bag lunch at your desk isn't always a good idea. Besides the obvious fact that eating a brown bag lunch at your desk fails to give you a much-needed break from work, this can be a diet and health danger. Office desks are chock full of germy surfaces. Also, brown bag lunches can be uninspired meals in need of a few new ideas.

Here are ideas to combat the fat and make your brown bag lunch a healthy, fulfilling meal.

1) CLEAN! - Did you know that the average office desk is covered with tons of germs? According to the BBC, an average desk can harbor as many as 10 million germs. YES! 10 MILLION! To put that in perspective, studies have found that office desks can contain 400 times more germs than bathrooms. Now that's gross.

What can you do? Pick up some antibacterial wipes either in one of those handy canisters or in the convenient single serve packages and give your desk a good sweep every morning. Clean any cups, utensils, etc that you leave at work on your desk well with soap and water. And never forget to wash your hands.

2) COST! - Eating out everyday is expensive. If I grab cafeteria food at work, I spend between $6 to $9 a day. That money really adds up and makes me feel guilty. If I bring my brown bag lunch just three days per week, that is roughly $22.50 saved per week. That's reason enough to pack a brown bag lunch, if you ask me.

3) VARIETY! - Making the same thing for your brown bag lunch day after day isn't going to get you excited about eating. And taking just one or two things isn't necessarily going to be enough food or provide enough variety. A good idea for the brown bag lunch is to plan on two- three snacks, one main item and a dessert. Mixing up sweet and salty foods will ensure satisfaction.

Brown-bag Ideas

Snack/side ideas:
hummus with a pita or veggie sticks
a handful of nuts
one serving thin pretzels
cut up fruits
100 calorie snack packs
cheese and crackers
chips and salsa
granola bars
dried fruit
side salad
yogurt

Main ideas:
low-fat peanut butter and sugarless jelly sandwich
cold cut sandwich
grilled chicken sandwich with tomato and lettuce (transport these items in a separate bag and assemble before eating)
salad with chopped egg and 1 oz of cheese (low fat dressing)
salad with turkey and cheese chunks (low fat dressing)
grilled chicken and rice with stir fried vegetables
pasta salad
tomato and mozzarella salad with fresh basil and drizzled with olive oil
leftovers!!

Dessert ideas:
sugar-free jello or pudding
an apple with one tbsp caramel for dipping (don't forget the knife!)
unsweetened applesauce
low fat cookie