Healthy Lunch Options for Your New Years Resolution

By Kris Wood

As we start a new year many of us make the new year's resolution of eating healthier. Here are a few options for your lunch to help you get going.

Soups

A great winter warmer which is a healthy and low cost option. There is a bit of work to do preparing the ingredients and cooking them. You can make big batches and freeze them in portion size containers to defrost as and when needed.

Flavours and ingredients are endless, whether your vegetarian or enjoy a meaty soup.

Salads

A great way to knock up your 5 a day, they can be prepared easily and relatively cheap. A way of filling you up without feeling lethargic after.

Remember the naughtiest part of a salad is the dressing you use, all the calories come from the dressing so use a simple balsamic olive oil or something with low fat.

Couscous

Something a bit different. Just soak it in hot water and in ten minutes you'll have an accompaniment to meat, fish, cooked vegetables, or the makings of a hearty salad. Couscous can be eaten hot or cold and is a staple ingredient in North Africa.

A Jacket Potato

A jacket potato is a blank canvas, there are many fillings to stuff your jacket with. Quite a versatile meal as they can be eaten hot or cold, and if hot the microwave or oven will cook them nicely. Cook in the oven to get the crispy skin but does take time and then you can reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.

Tortilla Wrap

Tortillas are most commonly prepared with meat to make dishes such as tacos and burritos, however, there are many alternate versions without meat. Again, these can be eaten hot or cold with a variety of fillings.

The night before, prep your ingredients and portion into containers. Assemble when eating to ensure freshness.

Other Tips

This article is only to get the juices flowing, they are all very versatile dishes in the way the are prepared, cooked and served. Recipes for all these dishes can be easily found over the web, just pick your favourite foods and ingredients.

Keeping hydrated is also a major influence in your overall well being. Try have 8 glasses of water a day.

Swap your mid-morning snacks and fizzy drinks with a portion of fruit or glass of fruit juice.

Try avoid mayonnaise, excessive salad dressing and butter and spreads. Most of these recipes are designed to avoid fatty ingredients, but a bit here and there won't hurt.