When you’re trying to stick to a healthy eating plan, brown-bagging it to work can sometimes be a challenge. But with a little forethought, you can purchase and/or prepare South Beach Diet–friendly foods that will travel well, taste great, and keep you on track at lunchtime. Try these tasty suggestions for on-the-go lunches:

1. Enjoy a healthy sandwich. For Phase 2 traveling sandwiches, look for nutritious breads that will hold up well: 100% whole-wheat or whole-grain sliced bread, whole-wheat pitas, and whole-grain tortillas are terrific options. If you’re on Phase 1, forgo the sandwich bread and opt for a roll-up made with lettuce. Whatever Phase you’re on, be sure to choose lean, reduced-sodium deli meats like turkey breast, chicken breast, roast beef, and ham. Also make sure to select varieties without added sugars (for instance, avoid honey-baked ham) and serve deli meats with South Beach Diet–friendly condiments like Dijon mustard or sugar-free salsa.
   South Beach Diet tip: On any Phase, enjoy a meatless sandwich using tofu and grilled veggies, reduced-fat cheese, and/or hummus.

    

2. Prepare a hearty salad. Make a filling Cobb or chef salad for one or more using dark, leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, reduced-fat cheese, turkey bacon, and/or lean deli meats. Divvy it up into separate air-tight containers for any family member on the go. Put the dressing in a separate small container to add just before eating.
   South Beach Diet tip: Select a prepared salad dressing with fewer than 3 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving, or create your own dressing using extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar or lemon or lime juice, garlic, and fresh herbs.

    

3. Consider soup. Lentil, split pea, and black bean soups are nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, satisfying choices, as are soups made from cauliflower or broccoli. Other cold-weather soups include tomato and mushroom or revitalizing chicken soup made with plenty of veggies. The great thing about soup is that you can prepare a big pot on a Sunday and it will still be good for a few days into the week. Hot soups can be packed in a thermos or microwavable container.
   South Beach Diet tip: Opt for broth-based soups over cream-based ones, which can be high in saturated fat. On Phase 2, go for soups using brown rice or whole-wheat pasta instead of the refined white versions.

    

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