Rushing a grab and go sandwich at your desk may seem like you’re being more efficient, however, in‌ ‌reality, nutrient-poor options can hinder focus, mood and even memory.

Food fuels our body and brain and certain nutrients are required to create long-lasting energy for a productive afternoon. Here are the top nutritionist-approved healthy lunch options for optimal brain power all afternoon long…

 

Pret A Manger

Top salad – Pret’s Protein Box

Chargrilled British chicken breast, free-range eggs, sliced avocado, long-stem broccoli and baby leaf spinach. Finished with a punchy ancho chilli dressing.

Nutrition Benefits: this tasty box is full of lean protein and is low in saturated fat. The high protein content can aid with satiety, ultimately keeping hunger at bay. This salad box is also a perfect choice for those who find high carbohydrate lunches make them sleepy.

• 321 kcal, 16.8g fat, 3.5g saturated fat, 5.6g carbohydrate, 2.5g sugar, 4.7g fibre, 35.5g protein, 1.8g salt

Top Sandwich – Avo, Olives and Toms

Sliced avocado with Kalamata olive tapenade, roasted tomatoes and a handful of peppery rocket. Finished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts. They have changed the recipe of their stone-baked baguette. It now contains Sunflower seeds.

Nutrition Benefits: who would have thought you can pop into your local Pret and pick up a sandwich with a huge 1/3 of our daily fibre intake! Fibre helps to keep us full but also aids with balancing blood sugar and provides a steady, sustained release of energy into the blood-stream.

• 529 kcal, 26.9g fat, 4.8g saturated fat, 55.5g carbohydrate, 3.8g sugar, 9.8g fibre, 11.7g protein, 2.1g salt

 

Top Soup – Pea & Mint Soup

A classic English soup of blended peas, kale and leek finished with a sprinkle of fresh mint.

Nutrition Benefits: This low-calorie soup comes with just 183kcal yet is super satisfying. One portion provides a huge one-third daily intake of fibre and over 10g of plant-based protein.

• 183 kcal, 7.3g fat, 0.7g saturated fat, 18.2g carbohydrate, 6.6g sugar, 9.7g fibre, 10.3g protein, 2.3g salt

Eat

Top salad – Hot Smoked Sesame Salmon

Slow-cooked Smoked Salmon fillet balanced perfectly with fresh, Pickled Red Cabbage and a nutty Sesame Dressing delivering a Sweet and Sour Flavour combination.

Nutrition Benefits: This balanced lunch box provides a rich source of essential omega 3 fats. These fats nourish the brain and are crucial for mood and concentration.

• 494kcal, 19g fat, 3.2g saturated fat, 53g carbohydrate, 11g sugar, 5.7g fibre, 24g protein, 2.8g salt

 

Top Sandwich – Chicken Salad Sandwich

Malted bread with chicken, chicken stock, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, tomatoes and mixed leaf.

Nutrition Benefits: a light yet high protein and low fat sandwich perfect for keeping hunger at bay and preventing that post-lunch slump.

• 348 kcal, 9.8g fat, 1.4g saturated fat, 39g carbohydrate, 3.2g sugar, 2.9g fibre, 23g protein, 2.1g salt

 

Top Soup – Spiced Lentil, Spinach & Sweet Potato

A light vegan soup with a spiced red lentil base, sweet potato & spinach.

Nutrition Benefits: a very low fat, yet warming and satisfying lunch. Lentils provide a steady and slow release of energy for the brain and body for a productive day.

• Per regular pot: 280kcal, 6.5g fat, 0.6g saturated fat, 43g carbohydrate, 9.7g sugar, 6.8g fibre, 9.5g protein, 2.6g salt

Itsu

Top salad – Lean Chicken Zero’ Salad

Lean, poached British chicken, tender stem broccoli & zero carb shirataki noodles, muki beans & a pot of their signature spicy (no peanuts) sesame satay dressing with soy & tahini with a hint of chilli and lemon.

Nutrition Benefits: if high carb lunches make you sleepy in the afternoon, then this dish could be a perfect choice for you. The salad comes with a special type of noodle called glucomannan, which is full of fibre and zero calories. What’s more, this salad is a source of iron which aids with energy, and magnesium which helps to ward off tiredness and fatigue.

• 282kcal, 11g fat, 1.9g saturated fat, 7g carbohydrate, 4.1g sugar, 8.5g fibre, 24.7g protein, 1.34g salt

 

Top Sandwich – Quinoa Burgers Tokyo Wrap

Biona organic quinoa burgers, vitamin B packed nori, avocado, shredded carrot, fresh salad greens, mint & gochujang chilli sauce in kibbled rye wrap.

Nutrition Benefits: full of plant-based protein and rainbow coloured, antioxidant-rich veg. The high fibre content may help to contribute to normal cholesterol levels, vitamin C plays a role in energy production whilst vitamin A supports immune function.

• 470kcal, 25.3g fat, 4.80g saturated fat, 51g carbohydrate, 10.5g sugar, 6.90g fibre, 9.40g protein, 1.18g salt

 

Top Soup – Chicken Miso Greens Soup

Miso marinated chicken, whole grain brown rice, seasonal veg & ginger’greens, miso soup

Nutrition Benefits: a balanced yet light and low-fat soup, which is low calorie too. Full of antioxidant-rich vegetables, quality protein and fibre rich whole grains – the perfect combo for a high energy day. Just be mindful of your daily salt content as this option is on the higher end.

• 264kcal, 6.3g fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 37.9g carbohydrate, 3.2g sugar, 2.5g fibre, 18.3g protein, 3.15g salt

 

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Lily is a London Nutritionist who graduated from Newcastle University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Food and Human Nutrition (AfN accredited) where she was awarded the Sage Faculty for Excellence Scholarship on an annual basis. She then went on to complete a 2-year post graduate Diploma in Nutritional Therapy and is currently working towards her MSc in Nutritional Medicine (AfN accredited) at the University of Surrey. Lily’s extensive knowledge of the science of food and health, enables her to regularly write for The Times, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Independent, Women’s Health and Cosmopolitan.

 

Her frequent TV appearances include ITV’s This Morning with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, and ITV’s primetime series Save Money: Lose Weight with Dr Ranj Singh. Lily’s passion is to simplify the science around nutrition, to provide health hacks and smarter eating strategies to empower people to enjoy a healthy and successful lifestyle. Her specialities lie in workplace wellness, implementing nutrition focused wellbeing programmes within corporate organisations across the UK.

 

Lily also sees individual clients from her clinic in Chelsea and a private medical practice based in Notting Hill.