If you have a busy day at work, finding something satisfying yet nutritious to keep mid-afternoon hunger pangs at bay can be a minefield. And don't even get started on how much cash you can spend over a year on shop-bought sandwiches. Happily, making your own lunch can be quick and easy, especially if you follow these recipe suggestions.
- 10 steps to your ideal cycling weight
- How to fix 5 of the most common causes of bike pain
- Ultimate sportive nutrition guide
We've partnered with 220 Triathlon magazine to bring you a selection of recipes selected to support the cyclist or athlete in training — and they taste damn good too! All the recipes are easy to follow and take you through step-by-step how to create everything from tasty lunches to quick and easy smoothies.
With these recipes, you won't need to do a special shop for obscure ingredients because each dish is designed to be whipped up using a combination of store-cupboard staples and meal leftovers. In other words, they'll provide you with a good, nutritional meal that's low in fat and with no added salt – they'll also help you save money (so you've got more to spend on other essentials, such as new bike bits…).
1. Smoked mackerel, potato and beetroot with natural yoghurt and horseradish dressing
Combining rich and satisfying mackerel (an excellent source of omega 3), with earthy antioxidant-rich beetroot, this dish has plenty of protein and carbohydrate to keep you satisfied. We love the yoghurt and horseradish dressing, which is light and low fat, but has a warming zing.
2. Chicken, bulgar wheat and spinach with grain mustard and orange dressing
Bulgar wheat is a great option for a packed lunch. Easy to make, you can store it dry and make up batches as and when you need it. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken and the iron-rich spinach provides plenty of tasty earthiness, while the light orange dressing adds freshness and vitamin C.
3. Tuna, pasta, red pepper and soy bean with Dijon mustard dressing
A healthy homemade version of the ubiquitous tuna pasta salad. This version ditches the calorie-heavy mayonnaise in favour of a light and tasty Dijon mustard dressing, and adds vitamin-rich red peppers and soy beans.
4. Chicken, noodle and crisp vegetables with an orange and soy dressing
Tired of the same-old same-old? The crisp raw vegetables in this noodle dish add a wonderful texture, but also packs in the nutrients, with salty soy and zesty orange livening up the flavour.
6. Butter bean, tomato and feta with sundried-tomato dressing (vegetarian)
Evoke memories of sun-kissed summers and al fresco dining while you eat your lunch, err… 'al desko'. The butter beans in this vegetarian lunch provide the protein, while creamy feta and rich and flavoursome sundried tomatoes bring those Mediterranean flavours.
Check out our other tasty recipes and get yourself fuelled for cycling from sunrise to sunset:
