Certain lunch dishes are out of the question for fitness trainers. Here's what they are and what foods they choose instead.
1. white bread
When we're hungry for lunch, we like to grab a sandwich or a wheat bun. White bread is a major fattener, thus it's an absolute no-no for fitness trainers. It includes numerous "empty calories," which do not fill you up for long and provoke insatiable hunger episodes, in contrast to wholemeal bread. Instead, Crossfit Outbreak instructor Laura Siegle informs "Shape.com" what's on the lunch menu: "A spinach, arugula, or kale salad with two or three hard-boiled eggs is a normal meal for me. To stay energized in the afternoon, a combination of protein and healthy fats is essential."
2. red meat
Red meat has long been suspected of increasing cancer risk - if eaten en masse, of course. However, fitness trainer Brian Gallagher, founder of Throwback Fitness, doesn't reach for red meat at lunchtime for a different reason: "I avoid any kind of red meat for lunch because I often feel sluggish afterward. I prefer to save the steaks for dinner when I can go to sleep afterward. Instead, I reach for lighter meats, like chicken, or fish, with salad or cooked vegetables."
3. energy bar
Reaching for the occasional energy bar around lunchtime? Not a good idea, because these protein morsels contain a lot of sugar and a long list of unfamiliar ingredients for your body. "I've often made the mistake in the past of reaching for energy bars and always felt unsatisfied and hungry afterward," says Tracy Carlinsky, founder of Brooklyn Bodyburn, adding, "My go-to lunch is a salad with leafy greens, lean protein (chicken, salmon or egg), quinoa, raw nuts and avocado dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar."
4. burger
This isn't surprising: fitness trainers seldom eat burgers or fast food in general for lunch. Burgers are made with harmful fats and also contain "empty calories." Fast food is also consumed quickly, and because the body does not recognize satiety signals, you consume substantially more calories.
Fitness trainer Simon Lawson tells "Shape.com": "I love burgers, but the quality of the meat in most fast-food chains is unfortunately subterranean. When I need a quick protein boost for lunch, I eat chicken. However, I take the skin off and add a little sweet potato - it's a nutritious and filling meal."