We get it: eating a nutritious and tasty lunch while working 9-to-5 is easier said than done. Preparing healthy packed lunches for the week can require time that a lot of busy people just don’t have, and those who venture out of the office to buy their lunch know all too well how calorie laden the average grab-and-go option is. Also consider fact that many offices stock their kitchens with sugary treats, and it’s really no surprise that sticking to a healthy diet can prove difficult. Fortunately, there is a solution to this dilemma, and yes, it does involve salad. But bare with us! After all, the average salad is not what it used to be.
When many people think of salad, they visualize a boring bowl of leafy greens—the kind of side dish that comes free with your burger (then usually gets left behind on the plate). We agree, these types of house salads can be dull, uninspired and—worst of all—not filling. However, the dainty salad has undergone a massive refresh, and these days, the average salad is protein-packed and flavorful. So, do away with the expensive and unhealthy grab-and-go office lunch, and instead challenge yourself to one salad a day for an entire work week. We guarantee your body and your wallet will thank you.
Monday: Tilapia Salad with Apples and Almonds
The pairing of Tilapia and almonds with apples and honey makes this dish a perfect combination of sweet and savoury. Tilapia is a great fish to use in salads, as it has a mild taste and is packed with protein and other great nutrients. Plus, the apples and the almonds add a nice crunch while the lime and mustard are combined to make a zesty dressing. Overall, the texture and taste of this salad is simply perfect—the fact that the salad is also extremely healthy is just a happy bonus!
Try the recipe: Tilapia Salad with Apples and Almonds from Real Simple.
Tuesday: Edamame-Chickpea Power Salad with Avocado Dressing
Enjoy an afternoon energy boost with this protein rich power salad. This vegan and gluten-free concoction features a range of healthy, tasty and oh-so-filling ingredients, including chickpeas, avocado, apple, maple syrup, ginger root and fresh basil. Edamame also packs a serious nutrient punch, as it contains fiber, various amino acids, calcium, iron and more. This is a great salad to heat up in your office’s microwave, if you feel like eating something a warm on a winter day.
Try the recipe: Edamame-Chickpea Power Salad with Avocado Dressing from 86 Lemon.
Wednesday: Shrimp Avocado Taco Salad
This salad is sure to satisfy those people who prefer a hearty lunchtime feed. Packed with protein and featuring a bit of crunch thanks to the tortilla chips and juicy roasted corn, this filling entrée salad is full of tangy and zesty flavors that are sure to keep your taste buds happy!
Try the recipe: Shrimp Avocado Taco Salad from The Recipe Critic.
Thursday: Asian Tilapia Salad
This light and easy salad is ready in less than 20 minutes, making it easy to whip up the night before. The sesame-ginger dressing gives it a unique taste and is a nice alternative to the typical Caesar or cobb. The Tilapia also provides the protein kick you’ll need to get through to the end of the working day.
Try the recipe: Asian Tilapia Salad from Woman’s Day.
Friday: Fattoush Salad with Za’atar
With its Lebanese flavors, this salad is packed with summer veggies, herbs, pita bread and za’atar—a spicy topping prominent in Middle Eastern cooking. The salad also introduces large quantities of fresh herbs, as well as fresh lemon and raw honey, which boost the salad’s nutrition profile.
Try the recipe: Fattoush Salad With Za’atar from My New Roots.
Not only are these recipes delicious and packed with nutrients, but they are also easy to toss together when you’re in a rush. We know how hectic running from meeting to meeting can be, but don’t let your health fall by the wayside as a result. Trust us, a salad a day will have you feeling fit, full and ready to take on the world.
Need some more healthy salad inspiration? Check out 5 Delicious Salads You Can Toss Up In 5 Minutes Or Less.
Photo Credits: Plated, Lazar Obradovic / Shutterstock, The Recipe Critic, My New Roots