Why Lunch Is Hard... And What to Prep So It Isn’t
Don't know what to eat in the middle of the day? Start here (love, a mom who wants you to beat the afternoon slump).
A simple, mix-and-match prep that saves you from the 12:07pm fridge stare.
Happy Sunday, friends.
If dinner gets all the attention and breakfast is typically the same, lunch is the forgotten middle child (sorry to my sister if you’re reading this ;)). It’s the meal that sneaks up on you between meetings, errands, kids’ naps, or a mid-day energy crash—and suddenly you’re standing in front of the fridge thinking, I literally have no idea what to eat.
I hear this from clients all the time. Lunch is hard. And not because it needs to be fancy, but because decision fatigue is real. By midday, you’ve already made approximately one thousand choices, and asking yourself to invent a meal can feel like too much. As a mom and entrepreneur, I feel this. Deeply. So this week’s prep is designed specifically for that moment.
It’s not a rigid plan with five identical containers. Just a few nourishing components you can prep all (or some of)—and turn into a satisfying lunch in under 10 minutes.
*The* Lunch Formula
Instead of asking “What should I make for lunch?” try asking yourself this:
What is one protein I can anchor this meal with?
Rotisserie chicken, hard-boiled eggs, deli ham, cottage cheese, Brami pasta, frozen edamame, chickpeas, tinned tuna, canned salmon, etc.
What are 2-3 veggies I can add?
Sky’s the limit: Butter lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, canned artichokes, bell peppers, etc.
What is 1 source of fat I can throw on my plate?
Avocado, parm, olive oil, walnuts, etc.
Am I craving some energizing carbs?
Sourdough, sprouted grain bread, tortilla chips, rice, etc.
With a minimal amount of prep (and by following that simple formula), lunch stops being overwhelming. The following recipes are meant to be mixed and matched depending on your appetite and energy that day. You can prep everything, or just pick 2–3 components. Even one solid protein and one veggie goes a long way!
What I’m Prepping This Week:
Massaged kale salad w/ grated parm, dates, ETBTB seasoning granola, and a tahini-lemon dressing
Chicken meatballs w/ mozz and diced onion
Roasted carrots and cauli
Apple, celery, and dill chicken salad (w/o mayo)
Along with the exact recipes, I’ve included shortcuts I use to make prep even more efficient!
