| The lunch meal is often treated by many as the | | | | with the added benefit of hydrating the body. If |
| one most dispensable during the day, because | | | | the blandness of water itself is a problem, try |
| there is the thinking that this can be taken at a | | | | adding a lemon slice. If the lack of flavor is still an |
| later time, or made up for later. With the busy | | | | issue, another zero calorie option to consider is |
| and unpredictable schedules that most men have, | | | | unsweetened iced tea. If it is absolutely |
| later very often becomes never. It does not | | | | necessary, a low calorie sweetner can be used to |
| matter if a man works in management or is a | | | | address the flavor issue. |
| front line employee - the temptation to skip the | | | | There are some items which can be purchased |
| mid-day meal is present and vexing for all. There | | | | ahead of time, yet still be kind to the diet and |
| are occasions when circumstance dictates that | | | | waistline. Such items include sandwiches and |
| the meal has to be missed altogether. Still, the | | | | wraps, where the condiments such as |
| matter of lunch is more than just the time away | | | | mayonnaise are packaged separately from the |
| from work. This is the opportunity to refuel and | | | | food item. This is also true for salads and fruit |
| refresh the body for the mental and physical | | | | cups. Again, it is necessary to be careful to note |
| tasks that will be encountered over the next | | | | if the salad already has dressing mixed into it, as |
| several hours. What can be done to address the | | | | is often the case with macaroni, potato, chicken, |
| problems and difficulties of getting something to | | | | or tuna salads. This might not seem like such a big |
| eat that is both quick and nutritious? In addition, | | | | deal, until the calorie and fat levels are considered. |
| how can a man who is eating in conjunction with | | | | If it is not a problem to store it properly in a |
| a muscle training or conditioning program eat | | | | freezer or an ice chest during the day, a frozen |
| properly, and sensibly, as well? | | | | meal or entrée might be a possibility to |
| There are a few options that busy men have in | | | | allow for the beginnings of a quick and complete |
| meeting the challenge of getting a somewhat | | | | lunch. As with other meals discussed, make sure |
| quality meal during the period between breakfast | | | | that the lunch selectiion does not contain items |
| and dinner. There is the possibility that prepared | | | | loaded with excess fat, salt, or sugar. This may |
| food can either be purchased ahead of the start | | | | not be obvious until an examination is made of |
| of the work day, purchased at some point during | | | | the ingredients list, if present. For example, if the |
| the day itself, or prepared at home and brought | | | | item is breaded, there is a good chance that it |
| to work (also known as "brown bagging it"). | | | | has been fried, and that there is an |
| Probably the easiest of the three is to purchase | | | | overabundance of salt among the seasonings |
| lunch on the run, either at a fast food restaurant | | | | present. Salt is also an issue with soup, whether |
| or at a convenience store. The problem that | | | | canned or frozen. If the meal contains any type |
| exists is that the items available at these places | | | | of dessert, including cookies, cobbler, cake, |
| are prepared in high volume, with little regard for | | | | brownie or pie, there is more than a little sugar |
| the actual amount of fat, salt, and sugar | | | | and fat present as well. |
| contained within them. This is true whether the | | | | The third option for the busy man in lunch options |
| items themselves are refrigerated, frozen, or | | | | is to prepare something at home to eat at a |
| kept in a warming tray or under a heat lamp. It is | | | | convenient point in the day. This can be |
| also true that these items will taste good when in | | | | something as simple as a sandwich of one's |
| a hurry and the immediate goal is to quiet a | | | | choosing, or a container of leftovers from the |
| rumbling and eager stomach, but will not help the | | | | previous night's dinner. The possibilities are limitless, |
| waistline measurement in the long term. | | | | as preferences and supplies can be the general |
| Instead of the burger and fries combination and | | | | guide followed. This is also useful if there is a |
| the like that everyone is more than familiar with, | | | | particular type of eating practice being maintained |
| there are healthier alternatives available, even at | | | | or adhered to, as is found in keeping a kosher, |
| the drive through. Look for items that are grilled | | | | vegetarian, or salt-free diet. The key to properly |
| rather than fried. Consider a salad containing | | | | carrying out this option is to plan carefully for |
| vegetables as well as meat, or a soup that is not | | | | what the meals will look like, and to purchase the |
| heavy in cream or cheese. The trick here is to | | | | required ingredients ahead of time during trips to |
| avoid the extra trimmings like bacon, cheese, and | | | | the supermarket. This also includes items for |
| sauces that are loaded with additional calories. | | | | snacking in between meals, such as fruit, |
| Another thing to be cautious of is the size of the | | | | vegetables as carrots and celery, nuts, and string |
| portions in which food is served. It is true that | | | | cheese. Whatever can be sensibly and reasonably |
| there may some savings in time or money in | | | | be fit into a diet that helps the busy man to stay |
| ordering the larger selection, but any such savings | | | | healthy and well-nourished is usually a good choice. |
| are immediately lost if this defeats whatever | | | | It is often difficult to fit the mid-day meal into the |
| efforts are being made to control weight and | | | | work day, but it is not impossible to create |
| improve the physique. If possible, divide up the | | | | options to help address the challenge of having a |
| portion into smaller amounts, with part eaten | | | | proper lunch. Careful planning ahead of time, and |
| immediately, and the rest saved for another | | | | observation of the available choices and portion |
| serving later in the afternoon. It may be a very | | | | sizes, are necessary when visiting fast-food |
| pleasant surprise to find that you may not have | | | | resaturants. This is the case also at convenience |
| been as hungry as it seemed. At the same time, | | | | stores, where there are many pre-prepared and |
| this only works when there is a careful effort to | | | | packaged items that may need special scrutiny |
| not be swayed by side items such as onion rings, | | | | regarding what is actually in them, particularly with |
| other fried appetizers, a large regular drink and a | | | | regard to the presence of fat, salt, and sugar, |
| dessert. | | | | and the amount of calories to be consumed in a |
| The topic of drinks is a special case, where one's | | | | serving. A degree of self restraint is also required |
| diet can either be helped or hurt by what is | | | | when faced with selecting items and portion sizes. |
| selected. It is true that a diet soda may not add | | | | The same amounts of care, in planning and |
| more calories to the meal, as opposed to a | | | | preparation, are also as necessary when preparing |
| similarly sized regular cola. A large cup of ice | | | | food at home, to be eaten at a convenient time |
| water is always a good choice, with zero calories, | | | | during the day. |