Make Time for Break Time: Lunchbox Ideas for Work

By Jill Feilmeier on March 19, 2015 in Healthy Living

Half of Americans don’t take a lunch break. This makes us less productive and more anxious and tired

Our brains need periodic breaks to refresh. Studies show taking breaks rather than “practice, practice, practice” can improve our performance. Make the most of your workdays by taking a lunch break away from your desk. Sounds like an easy to-do, right? Unfortunately, it may not be for many. More than half of Americans studied said it was “rare or unrealistic for them to take a proper lunch break away from their work.” Our tooth-healthy lunch box recipes will refuel your body and help you take a break when mid-day rolls around.

Today, Americans are more likely to eat at their desk than anywhere else. We stay at our desks with the misconception that it will help us get more done. Studies prove that the real impact, though, is that we’re left feeling:

tired (44 percent),
stressed (31 percent),
overwhelmed (24 percent),
exhausted (26 percent)
and anxious (20 percent).

Properly fuel up with lunch box ideas for work that will boost your smile health! Eat from the five major food group; the more colorful your plate, the better! Include:

whole grains
fruits
vegetables
lean sources of protein such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish; dry beans, peas, and other legumes
low-fat and fat-free dairy foods

This allows your body to get a variety of nutrients from different nutrient-rich sources. Oral health and overall health are closely related, so they’re good for your smile, too!

Try one of these three easy lunches:

90% of the calories in shrimp are protein, making them perfect fuel for your body and mind.

Zesty Shrimp and Black Bean Salad Featuring:

Protein Power: Shrimp, black beans
VIP Vegetables: Bell pepper, cherry tomatoes
Compelling Carbohydrate: Whole-wheat tortilla

Wild-caught shrimp is impressively healthy. 90% of the calories in shrimp are protein, making them perfect fuel for your body and mind. Three ounces of shrimp can provide over 20 different vitamins and minerals. Shrimp can help reduce inflammation and promote heart health. Protein is essential to our smile because it helps strengthen the teeth. The American Dental Association recommends eating at least 8 oz. of seafood a week.

Full Recipe via eatingwell.com

Watermelon packs almost 23 milligrams of vitamin C per serving, while feta is dairy, which is a grea

Watermelon Gazpacho Featuring:

Famous Fruit: Watermelon
Dynamic Dairy: Feta

Watermelon packs almost 23 milligrams of vitamin C per serving. Vitamin C helps to protect us from infections. Studies prove a link between low Vitamin C levels in the plasma and periodontitis or severe gum disease.

Full Recipe via today’s parent.com.

Leafy green vegetables like kale are packed with Vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, phosphorus, ca

Chopped Kale Salad Featuring:

Protein Power: Edamame, avocado
VIP Vegetables: Kale, snow peas

Dark, leafy greens add an enormous amount of nutrients to your meal. Vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, and phosphorus are our front-runners when it comes to kale. Our teeth and bones store phosphorus, which aids in how we absorb calcium and magnesium!

Full Recipe via cookieandkate.com

Claim an office drawer to satisfy hunger distractions. Chock it full of healthy, tasty snacks for a satisfying (and more productive) day at work: