Say the words “packed lunch” and your mind may conjure up some uninspired cheese sandwiches and a packet of crisps. This needn’t be the case! When you’re vegan and out and about you need to be prepared with some snacks in case suitable options aren’t available where you are. Even when I was vegetarian it was difficult eating out at places.
Lunch time should be when you (ideally) eat your largest meal of the day. So instead of grabbing a chip butty from the dodgy man in a van outside your office- why not make something far more appetising at home to eat at work?
Sandwich ideas:
Almond butter and salad: Combine this tasty nut butter with some sliced cucumber and salad to create a really yummy and filling sandwich.
Hummus and Red Pepper: I tend to make my own hummus as I don’t eat garlic. This versatile stuff tastes amazing with chopped red pepper with a seeded bran bread.
Hummus and olive stuffed Pitta: This is one of my favourite things to eat for lunch- add sliced olives to a generous amount of hummus stuffed in a wholemeal pitta bread.
Guacamole and vegan cheese: Make a spicy dip by combining a ripe mashed avocado, jalapeno pepper, dash of black pepper and ¼ teaspoon of sea salt. Chop up some squares of a vegan cheese and make a sandwich using fresh granary bread.
Beetroot and watercress: This is my most favourite sandwich and I can have it everyday all week without getting fed up of it. Combine good quality beetroot with a handful of fresh watercress in seeded bran bread.
Chickpea salad: I like fresh spinach, tahini, dried dill with boiled chickpeas in a sandwich (especially in the summer).
Snacks/ sides
Try swapping the standard packet of crisps for one of the below:
Poppadoms: These will still give you a satisfying chomp but with a bit more flavour. Indian supermarkets sell them in packs which work out quite cheap. You can usually “cook” them by sticking them in the microwave for a minute or two. Wait till they cool and them keep in an airtight container.
Popcorn: Easy to make and also you can make tasty savoury versions. I like adding a little turmeric, salt and chilli pepper.
Nuts: A handful of pistachios, Brazil nuts or almonds serve as a tasty and healthy snack. Aldi sell healthy fruit and nut bags called “natural snacks” by Snackrite. They have a good mix of seeds, dried fruit and nut.
Olives and sundried tomatoes make a nice snack too.
Pudding
Fruit: You don’t have to have a boring apple. Try taking pomegranate, chopped mango, or grapes. Seasonal fruit is best- Clementine’s are lovely at this time of year. Dried fruit is another winner- I like apricots, raisins, dates, pineapple and papaya. It is best to eat fruit first before eating sandwiches as they digest quicker.
Make a batch of vegan cookies for the week and finish off your lunch with a tasty snack.
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