Low On Carb High On Health

Thinking outside the lunch box can be a challenge. Five balanced recipes you can prepare within 20 minutes, and are a complete midday meal.

- Kavita Devgan Nutritionist, Delhi

How many stories have you read about breakfast being the most important meal of the day and how dinner must always be kept light? One every day I am sure. But what about lunch, the meal that comes right in the middle of our working day and which more often than not gets either skipped or eaten hurriedly? We are all guilty of not putting in enough thought into this equally important meal. It’s time to change and talk about lunch.

A balanced meal eaten midday can go a long way to help offset everyday stress and the wear and tear to the body. A heavy meal, on the other hand, can lead to fatigue and sleepiness. So, don’t go for whatever’s convenient or at hand such as bread pakora from the shop near the office. Try to organise a good home-cooked style meal for lunch. Going low carb or no carb on the days when you have lots of work on hand is always a good idea. Make and take these five recipes for lunch—one for each day of the working week.

CHICKPEA SALAD

Preparation time 20 minutes

Ingredients 200 g pumpkin, halved, de-seeded and cubed without peeling; 1 large carrot, cut into chunks; 5 fresh thyme or tulsi sprigs; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 spring onion; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 100 g cooked chickpeas; 15 g pine nuts; 100 g lettuce