Why pack your lunch?
- Save money! The average lunch out costs $6.00 to $10.00, but the average lunch from home costs $1.50. That’s a potential yearly savings of $1,125+!
- Better nutrition. Research shows that meals prepared at home are more nutritious than those eaten out. You will be more likely to get in your daily servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy with a lunch from home. You’ll also get fewer calories and fat grams from a home-packed lunch, and you might even have a little extra time for a walk after lunch; that means a lower chance of unwanted weight gain.
- Be more productive. If you’re skipping lunch because you didn’t bring one, or are too busy to leave and get something, your productivity will decline along with your metabolism. Eating regular meals and snacks helps our bodies and our minds stay on track.
What is a Healthy Lunch?
A healthy lunch should include one or two whole grains, a low-fat dairy item, lean protein, and at least one fruit or vegetable. Don’t forget about your drink; make it healthy too. Try a bottle of water, skim or 1% milk, or 100% fruit or vegetable juice. Stay away from regular sodas, fruit drinks (like “punch” or any other fruit-flavored drink that’s not 100% juice), and sugary sports drinks. Your goal should be to get as many nutrients in as you can at lunchtime, without over-doing it on calories and fat.
To find out how many calories – and amounts of specific foods – you need in a day, visit www.mypyramid.gov. You can get a personalized MyPyramid just for you, track your eating habits, and get lots of great tips for fitting in plenty of healthy foods and planning nutritious meals.