Working lunches and / or lunch at work can often be a rushed affair. You dash out of the office to grab a quick sandwich whilst gobbling it down at your desk as you reply to emails and add the finishing touches to the report that was due to go out an hour ago.

So the last thing you need to think about when adjusting to a new healthier lifestyle is the GI count of your lunch choice.

In the early days of following the low GI diet I’d recommend taking a packed lunch with you to work, this way you can use ingredients you know are low gi and you know you enjoy. It will also help with keep your bank balance healthy too!! By making packed lunches you will become even more familiar with what constitutes as a good GI meal and in time your choices will be second nature.

However, for many busy working people a packed lunch is not always a viable option and lunch from the local Deli is what is on the menu so here are some basic tips to help you make a decision when time isn’t on your side:
1. Sandwiches – choose a seeded or mixed cereal roll. Alternatively opt for a pita or wrap…..just steer clear of the white stodgy!

2. If opting for a meat filling, choose the freshest and leanest option

3. Avoid sloppy mayonnaise based fillings

4. Opt for a chunky hummus if on offer

5. Salads – cram pack your lunch box with mixed beans

6. Jacket Pots – keep it simple with baked beans, or for something a bit livelier choose chilli (providing it has kidney beans in)

7. Sweet treats – if you really need one choose a cereal bar packed full of nuts and seeds or a chunky fruit yoghurt should help curb the craving

Today, I was in a lunchtime rush as I had five things to tick of my to-do list all of which were spread across town so I popped into the local Prêt to get a pot of their scrumptious Bean Cassoulet – only to find it had been replaced by Carrot and Coriander.

Panic struck of all the soups in the world it had to be GI unfriendly……anyway as I scoured the shelves for an equally tasty and equally healthy alternative I cast my beady eye over a ‘Chunky Hummus Tortilla Wrap’ – result!! I glanced at the nutritional info and it also seemed to be one of the options which is low in saturated fat and calories which was a bonus.

It was delicious and filling. So 10/10 to Prêt – I’ll certainly revisit for a low gi lunch next time my own lunch box doesn’t tickle my fancy.