If you find yourself snacking between lunch and dinner, it might be because you had a lunch with low proteins. Your body takes longer to digest proteins, making you feel full for hours. Also, proteins reduce the hunger hormone ghrelin. Below are five protein-packed lunch dishes you should consider.
Steak Nachos
Although steak nachos are mostly served as appetizers, they can make a hearty and satisfying lunch meal. The main ingredients include steak (spiced and sliced into cubes), tortilla chips, pinto beans, toppings (such as salsa verde), jalapeno, tomatoes, and red onions. This recipe is flavorful and well-textured, with the melty warm cheese contrasting the savory steak. It loads 24 grams of protein and around 6 grams of saturated fats. As such, you should reduce saturated fats in your other meals if you have them for lunch.
Chicken Burger with Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli
If you can’t eat beef burgers for health reasons, chicken burgers can be an ideal lighter and leaner alternative with plenty of flavor. You’ll need ground chicken, olive oil mayonnaise, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, and whole wheat buns to make this dish. Its protein content is 26 grams. You can reduce the carbohydrates by replacing the bun with a bed of lettuce.
Lentil Soup
If you’re a vegan, one source of protein in your diet should be lentils. Half a cup of lentil serving contains 10 to 15 grams of proteins. Lentil soup is easy to prepare, making it perfect for lunch. You’ll only need boiled lentils and other ingredients of your choice to add flavor. Besides proteins, lentils are also a rich source of dietary fiber that promotes a feeling of fullness. To add minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, you can add vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, asparagus, or potatoes.
Stay Full in the Afternoon
With the above simple protein-packed lunch dishes, you can remain full the rest of the afternoon and avoid snacking before dinner.
