[Funnington]

I've been far more health conscious the past few weeks. Lunch's previously (mostly at work) were leftovers, toasted sandwiches or the cafe' (think airline type food ... zero taste, excellent presentation )

I've been taking things like - mountain bread wraps filled with light cheese, avocado, mung beans/sprouts, cucumber, tomato and lettuce, a mixed salad with a couple of boiled eggs or, brown rice crackers with sliced cucumber, tomato, avocado, cheese and sometimes a handful of olives.

By late afternoon I could eat the leg of my desk chair. While I'm certainly adopting a healthier style of eating during lunch, it's hardly filling a hole in my tooth!

Could the health conscious give me some ideas on healthy lunch's which include the right balance of protein, carbs etc. (I'm clueless when it comes to this stuff) that will keep me fuller, longer. I do have a piece of fruit in the afternoon to combat the hungry's but, I'm still inclined to raid the charity chocolates because I'm so hungry.

No weight issues (although, I'm a few kilo's over my ideal weight), no allergies and my only dislike is seafood.

Thank you!

[Escapin]

It's OK to have arvo tea! An apple or a small yoghurt or a handful of nuts would probably do the trick.

[katrina24]

Hi, I love quinoa salads with any combo of protein, veges you like. I usually boil the quinoa in stock and then squeeze in some lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Then I add whatever I have. I love chicken breast (cooked and chopped),mint, parsley,red onion, cherry tomatoes, capsicum and feta. I also like roasted pumpkin, spinach, feta and pine nuts.

Zucchini slice (taste.com.au) is nice with some salad.

[Alacritous~Andy]

I agree with the PP: afternoon tea! I (and DS) love some natural yogurt with a cucumber grated in it (tatziki) with some rice crackers or oven baked mountain bread "chips".

[F1widow]

A salad made with the above and brown rice.

Rice is the most filling thing! If I have sushi for lunch at midday I won't really get hungry until 5pm (normally I eat every 2-3 hours)

Four bean mix makes a really good protein supplement if you want to do a vego salad (or like me, out of cheese and canned tuna)

Having healthy snacks like trail mix means you'll avoid the charity boxes.

Signing up for something like Harvest Box delivered every week helps me to ensure I'm snacking on good stuff (with treats like chocolate buttons thrown in for good measure).

[Phoenix Blue]

If you are not trying to lose weight, then you are eating very low calorie lunch. They sound less than 300 calories. No wonder you're hungry!

Instead of crackers (no real nutritional value) How about a wholemeal or grain roll. Mountain bread is only about 70 calories while a roll will be 200. Try some bergen bread. You need some slow release carbs. Make sure you've got some protein too. Ham, chicken, tuna, egg etc. then fill with all your salads.

Then have a piece of fruit, or a yogurt.

And as a pp said, have some afternoon tea! You should be eating at least every 3 hours.

HTH

[Alacritous~Andy]

The other thing I find is that I often get the munchies mid afternoon if I am thirsty, so make sure you are having enough water.

[Guest_~Coffee~_*]

What you eat for breakfast has a big impact on your hunger levels for the rest of the day. Eating a breakfast based on protein such as a sugar free protein shake or an omelette etc will keep you fuller for longer. Base your lunch on protein as well, mixed with salad. Starchy carbs will make you hungrier as they stimulate your appetite.

Basically breakfast, lunch and dinner should all be protein based. Portion size per meal is one palm (without fingers). Snack time is a good chance to get in fruit.

[Funnington]

They sound less than 300 calories. No wonder you're hungry!

Shows how much I know ... I always thought counting calories was a no-no??? I'm not even sure whether I'm slightly overweight, or within a healthy weight range. I'm 174cm and 69kg's. I feel really pudgy around the tummy area at the moment.

Maybe I'm not eating enough then? It would certainly explain the headaches and lethargy. I think I'm confusing myself with weight loss v's healthy eating.

A snapshot of yesterday:

1 pear for breakfast and a cup of Milo with full cream milk

Lunch was a salad (about a cup of lettuce), half a small cucumber, a medium sized tomato, a few strips of red capsicum and two boiled eggs.

1 apple for afternoon tea

About 1/2 dozen boiled lollies to curb my sweet tooth

Dinner - steamed pumpkin, beans and mushrooms.

I was as hungrier yesterday than what I was today though. In addition to eating better, I'm also trying to detox (too much alcohol and fatty foods over Christmas made me feel blergh).

This post has been edited by Funnington: 18/01/2013, 09:33 PM

[Funnington]

Basically breakfast, lunch and dinner should all be protein based.

What are some good protein examples? I only associate protein with meat.

so make sure you are having enough water.

I've always drank a lot of water.

This post has been edited by Funnington: 18/01/2013, 09:32 PM