Show us your lunch

A healthy lunch is the perfect way to re-energise your body in the middle of the day. It’s been several hours since you had breakfast and your energy and concentration levels will be flagging. If you’re starting to feel tired and sluggish, it’s a sign that your blood sugar levels are low and your body needs refuelling.



Eating a balanced meal at lunch-time will refresh both your mind and body and also help you to avoid the mid-afternoon energy slump. You’ll be able to take on new tasks and feel far more productive.

“In order to achieve sustained energy levels throughout the day, take care to ensure that your lunchbox contains a combination of fibre-rich carbohydrate, low-fat protein, healthy fats (poly and monounsaturated fats, omega-3s), fruits and vegetables,” says registered dietician, Dr Ingrid van Heerden, better known as Health24’s DietDoc.

This could be, for example, a wholegrain sandwich, wrap or salad with some added protein such as chicken, tuna, low-fat cheese or egg; a chunky vegetable soup with a roll; or low-fat cottage and Provitas with some fruit and veggies.

If you have the tendency of skipping lunch in order to lose weight, think again. Eating a healthy lunch keeps your metabolism active and stops you from overindulging on unhealthy foods later when the hunger pangs hit you.

What do you usually have for lunch? Send us a pic of your lunch to community@health24.com and tell us why you chose it. We’ll create a lunch slideshow.

- (Birgit Ottermann, Health24, September 2012)