Today on NBC Houston Life I share four healthy adult lunch boxes built around my four P’s: protein, produce, plant-based and probiotics/prebiotics!
- Plant-based taco box
First up is my plant-based taco box. Instead of tortillas, I’m using butter lettuce. Butter lettuce has buttery texture and slightly sweet taste. I use the butter lettuce grown by Kalera, the nation’s largest local indoor vertical farmer. Vertical farming is a sustainable way of growing produce w/o pesticides and less water, closer to the point of consumption so it’s super fresh. For protein, I use Beyond Beef plant based ground beef which is not only better for your health but the environment as well. It tastes like traditional 80/20 beef but has 35% less total fat and saturated fat and more protein with 20 grams per servings from peas and rice. Add your taco toppings, bean chips, salsa and in the baggy I add nut butter and an apple for prebiotics, a type of fiber that helps selectively nourish the good bacteria in the gut to support digestion and immune health.
2. Butter lettuce burger box
Next we have a butter lettuce burger box. Butter lettuce is super versatile you can use it for salads, sandwiches, burgers. Next I add my burger patty is made with Beyond Beef which is made with simple plant-based ingredients with no cholesterol, antibiotics, hormones or GMOS. Add your sliced onion and tomato, sweet potato fries and guacamole. To the baggy, I add nuts and the 2-ingredient That’s It fruit bar made probiotics and fruit a source of prebiotics. Probiotics and prebiotics really work together to support digestion and immunity.
3. Chickpea tuna-less apple sandwiches
Next, I have my chickpea tuna-less apple sandwiches. For produce and prebiotics we have apples sliced into rounds. Apples are in season right now. For the salad, combine mashed chickpeas, red onion, celery and hummus. Next I’m adding whole grain crackers, a prebiotic probiotic fruit bar and veggies and hummus to the snack bag.
4. Cauliflower rice burrito bowl box
Finally, we have my cauliflower rice burrito bowl box. I love using riced cauliflower because it’s a mild tasting veggie that takes on the flavors you cook it with. It’s low in calories high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. I add sautéd bell peppers and onion, butter lettuce, plant-based ground beef, bean chips, guacamole. And in the baggy – nut butter and apple for prebiotics.
