Workplace Fitness: The best lunches for your job challenges

Lunch is one of the most challenging parts of balancing a healthy lifestyle with a full-time job. If left to their own devices most people seem to gravitate towards fast food, high-sodium microwave meals from the vending machine, or (perhaps worst of all) skipping lunch altogether, so it's no wonder that complaints of feeling hungry again within only a few hours of lunch are fairly commonplace. But no worries! Self magazine has some pointers (and recipes!) to help us all customize healthier midday meals based on whatever individual workday challenges we may be facing.

Stuck at your desk all day? If you know you're going to be fairly inactive the best lunch is something that stays away from bread-based carbs and focuses instead on lean protein with veggies and fruit, i.e. a salad with chicken or steak, veggies (broccoli, peppers), and fruit (orange slices, cranberries).

Need energy for an afternoon presentation? For a sharp mind and lasting energy try a lunch that's rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to boost your mood (wild salmon), fiber to fight afternoon hunger pangs (sweet potato), and folate to give you a memory boost (spinach).

Headed to exercise after work? If you don't want to run out of steam in the middle of your afternoon workout then you should aim for your noon meal to be a mix of protein and healthy carbs. The protein will help your energy last through the day to your workout while helping your muscles pack away glycogen energy stores to keep you going strong through that aerobics class.

Got a temptation-filled evening ahead? Got a party to attend later and want your willpower to be as strong as possible? Have a lunch that is light but filling. A stir-fry is a good option, with shrimp (low in fat and calories but high in protein), crunchy veggies (satisfying to eat), and almonds (low carb and heart-healthy fats to keep you satisfied longer).

Think you just don't have time to eat? The worst thing you can do is skip lunch, and whether you eat a cold sandwich at your desk or squeeze out ten minutes to heat up some soup in the microwave you'll be glad you did. You'll not only keep your metabolism revved up but you'll no doubt make up those few "wasted" minutes spent eating by being faster and more efficient the rest of the afternoon. Check out these great "take to work lunches" from iVillage.