Buying your lunch from the bakery is convenient, but it dips into your hard-earned cash. Alternatively, packing a healthy lunch saves money, means you can eat on the go to save time, and ensures you get the fuel you need. The best news? Homemade lunches can be easier than you think, and we’ve got the best ones to get you started.
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- Best lunch ideas for busy tradies
- Best healthy snacks for tradies
- Pack your lunch, save time & money
1. Best lunch ideas for busy tradies
The best meals transport well, are easy to prepare and, of course, are packed with nutrition. Here are our top five picks.
Best for when you’re in a hurry: last night’s dinner
When you’re short on time, the best meals are the ones you’ve already made. Try to cook an extra portion at dinner so you don’t have to think about lunch. Most things will work, but think about what will still be tasty cold (in case you can’t access a microwave!):
- Roast meat and vegetables
- Meat or tofu larb (take leftovers with fresh lettuce or cabbage to wrap them in)
- Potato salad with bacon and broccoli
- Pasta dishes like cauliflower orzo bake, chicken and pesto or bolognese
- Fried rice with vegetables
- Cold sesame noodles with pork and bok choy
- Wraps, kebabs or burritos
- Chicken and mayo salad
- Homemade sushi
- Protein snack packs - boiled eggs, almonds, veges and hummus
- Homemade pizza
- Easy nachos (corn chips and chilli beans)
Best for cold weather: soup in a flask
A microwave isn’t always available on-site, making lunch on a cold winter’s day tough. That’s where a good quality thermos will be your best companion. Make a big batch of soup or stew at the beginning of the week and take a hot portion in your thermos each day. Add a couple of slices of wholegrain or sourdough bread in a sandwich bag, and you have the perfect winter lunch meal.
Best for a big day: a good quality sandwich
You can’t afford for your energy to wane mid-afternoon. On those extra busy days, that’s even more important, so a sandwich is your best busy-day lunch companion. But because it might sit in your vehicle all morning, you need to ditch anything that’ll make it soggy (tomatoes, excess dressing) and swap to fresh herbs, mustard or relish for flavour.
Your energy-packed sandwich is as easy as filling some good quality bread with:
- Protein (cold chicken, leftover lamb, or marinated tofu)
- Vegetables (leafy greens, grated carrots, or beetroot)
- A slice of cheese or scrambled egg for extra protein
2. Best healthy snacks for tradies
Best for a mid-morning snack: breakfast egg muffins
Breakfast egg muffins take five minutes to prepare, about ten to cook, are easily transportable and can be eaten cold. Plus, with eggs, cheese, quality meat and vegetables, they’re full of protein. To make them, you’ll need:
- Two or three eggs
- Grated cheese
- Vegetables (zucchini or spinach)
- Smoked paprika, bacon or fresh herbs
Whisk all ingredients together, put them into muffin trays and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
Best for afternoon cravings: nutritious sweet treats
You’re probably exhausted at afternoon break, but you’ve still got a couple of hours of hard slog ahead of you. Instead of reaching for a packet of cookies, swap for a healthier snack alternative that’ll keep you fuelled until dinner:
- Energy balls
- Home-made protein bars
- Black bean brownies
- Apple slices with peanut butter
- Chia pudding and fruit
3. Pack your lunch, save money & time
If you want to do your job as efficiently as possible, there are a few things you need: job management software like Tradify, some quality tools, a business plan and, of course, a nutritious lunch. So skip the bakery queue and spend 10 minutes in the kitchen. You’ll reap the rewards of healthy, nutritious meals that give you the stamina and energy you need to focus on your customers and grow your business.
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