Bring Your Own Lunch for National Brown-Bag-It Day!

Do you think that brown-bag lunches are just for kids going to elementary or middle school? Most people do, but that’s not the case. Anyone can bring a brown-bag lunch to school, college or work. In fact, I encourage my clients to brown bag it more often!

National Brown-Bag-It-Day is being celebrated on May 25. You might find it odd that there is actually a National holiday designated to brown bag lunches, but there are 2 very important reasons why this day is being celebrated:

Packing your own lunch can save you over $500 a year.
Taking your lunch to school or work allows you to plan out delicious and nutritious meals that you’ll enjoy and your body will thank you for.

Brown Bag Lunch and Snack Options

Do you have a fridge and microwave available in your office or in the school cafe? If you do, there are endless options for your brown-bag.

Take a yogurt for a mid-morning snack. Top with granola and fruit to keep you fuller for longer.
Make a salad with spinach, walnuts, chicken, onions and your other favorite toppings. Bring your dressing in a separate container and leave everything in the fridge. When it’s time for lunch, toss it altogether. This will keep your salad from getting soggy and unappetizing.
Take your leftovers from dinner last night. Maybe you had chicken, pork or fish, either way they all work great for lunch. You can mix them with vegetables and you’ve now made a filling brown-bag lunch!
Soup and chili are tasty and easy lunch options. Add extra vegetables to them to make them more nutritious.

No fridge or microwave? No problem!

Fruits and vegetables are perfects snacks to have in your brown-bag and it is not necessary for them to stay in the fridge. Pack peanut butter or hummus to go with them.
A peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread, or low-fat turkey and cheese on a whole wheat roll are perfect for lunch. Add carrots and hummus or another vegetable to the side and you’ll love your lunch.
Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and filling snack that still taste good cold.

Still trying to figure out how to brown bag it on May 25^th? Here are some more tips to help you:

Keep single serving bags of nuts and seeds around to have as a snack.
Don’t toss those leftovers. You can reinvent them for lunch the next day, you’d be surprised what you can come up with!
Buy an ice pack to help keep the food you want cold. It’s an easy alternative if you do not have access to a fridge.
A thermos is another great option when you want your food hot and you do not have access to a microwave. This is great if you want to bring soup or chili for lunch.

Planning your lunches in the beginning of the week and grocery shopping on the weekend can help make packing your own lunch part of your daily routine. If there is ever a time to kick start a new healthy habit, this holiday is the one!

Your Turn to Take Action: What will you pack for lunch on National Brown-Bag-It Day? Let me know in the comments below.