☀️ Power Through Your Afternoon
Your midday meal is crucial—it needs to energize without causing that dreaded afternoon slump. This satisfying lunch recipe is specifically designed to keep you alert, focused, and productive throughout your busy day. Perfect for meal prep, office lunches, or working from home, this recipe balances energy-sustaining nutrients with delicious flavors. Say goodbye to vending machine snacks and hello to sustained energy and mental clarity!
💼 The Ultimate Work Lunch
Check out My FREE Healthy Keto Acceptable Foods List 👉 https://drbrg.co/45xrAuJ
Wondering what to eat on keto? Try these tasty meal options.
Dr. Berg Healthy Keto® Basics: START HERE: http://bit.ly/2B61L8j
Dr. Berg Ketogenic Diet Recipes: http://bit.ly/2HGZJRB
Keto Recipe Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAGH-jp4YXl30rir1BPrxA/
Timestamps
0:00 Healthy Keto® diet basics step 2
0:24 Keto and intermittent fasting
2:45 What to eat on keto
8:04 Keto diet tips
If you’re new to the Dr. Berg channel, this is the second of many helpful videos to watch. The first video was made specifically to help those of you looking for keto basics and how to start keto. In this video, Dr. Berg continues to build on the intermittent fasting and Healthy Keto basics shared in the first video. If you have friends or family members wondering how to start keto as well, don’t forget to point them to this video too!
Learn more about Healthy Keto and intermittent fasting:
1. Go as long as you can in the morning without eating. Don’t eat unless you are hungry.
You need to keep pushing it to the point where your body is fully adapted to fat-burning, and you’re no longer in sugar-burning. Adapting to ketosis could take 3 to 5 days or longer.
While on the Healthy Keto diet, try doing 2 meals a day with a 4-hour eating window, which will give you a 20-hour fasting period. This can give you major results, except if you’re dealing with issues like:
• Menopause
• A slow thyroid condition
• A history of dieting
• A slow metabolism
If you’re struggling with one of the issues above, you may need to start only eating one meal a day on the ketogenic diet to see significant results. But, in some cases, you still may not see results or weight loss. In this case, you may have to have one meal every other day until the system heals.
2. What to eat during meals while doing the Healthy Keto diet and intermittent fasting:
Meal option 1:
• Eggs (2 to 4) – pasture-raised organic
• Avocado
• Cheese – high-quality, organic, grass-fed
• Bacon – nitrate-free, organic, less than 1 g of sugar
• Nut butter – almond butter, peanut butter (sugar-free)
Meal option 2:
• Meat (3 to 6 oz)
• Vegetables or salad (with olive oil and vinegar) (SIBO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQESlxQKIm8)
• Nuts/Seeds
Meal option 3:
• Fish/Seafood – salmon, sardines (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STZg0R7p_NM)
• Salad
• Fat bomb
Meal option 4:
• Chicken (with skin)
• Asparagus
• Olives
Important things to remember:
• It’s okay to consume vitamins any time of the day
• It’s okay to consume ACV (apple cider vinegar) and lemon
• It’s okay to consume coffee and tea (only one in the morning—try a bulletproof coffee with MCT oil)
• If you have an urge to snack, it means you need more fat and greens
• If you have cravings for bread, then you need more B vitamins (electrolytes, B vitamins, and nutritional yeast)
• Consume sea salt
• Get exercise (the best time to exercise is when you’re fasting)
• It can take 3 to 5 days or longer to fully keto-adapt (the way to know you are in ketosis is if you don’t crave anymore)
Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 56, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.
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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Thanks for watching! Give these keto meal options a try!
In this practical tutorial, Dr. Eric Berg DC shows you how to create a lunch that delivers:
- ⚡ Sustained Energy: No afternoon crashes or brain fog—stay sharp all day
- 🎯 Mental Clarity: Nutrients that support focus and cognitive performance
- 💪 Filling & Satisfying: Keeps hunger at bay until dinner time
- 📦 Meal Prep Friendly: Travels well and tastes great hours later
- 🚫 No Afternoon Slump: Balanced macros prevent the post-lunch energy dip
⚡ Midday Fuel Breakdown
| Nutrient | Per Lunch Serving | Afternoon Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 400-550 kcal | Optimal midday fuel |
| Protein | 30-45 g | Sustained satiety |
| Complex Carbs | 35-50 g | Steady energy release |
| Fiber | 8-12 g | Blood sugar stability |
| Healthy Fats | 15-25 g | Brain function support |
| B Vitamins | Excellent source | Energy metabolism |
| Iron | Good source | Prevents fatigue |
*Nutrition optimized for midday energy. This lunch provides the perfect balance to fuel afternoon productivity without causing drowsiness or energy crashes.
🎯 Lunch Success Strategies
- 🥗 Balance is Everything: Your lunch should include protein (palm-sized portion), complex carbs (fist-sized), healthy fats (thumb-sized), and lots of vegetables (2 fists). This combination provides steady energy release and prevents blood sugar spikes that lead to afternoon crashes.
- 🚫 Avoid Heavy Carbs: Large portions of pasta, white rice, or bread can spike blood sugar and then crash it, causing drowsiness. Choose complex carbs in moderate amounts—quinoa, brown rice, or sweet potato paired with plenty of protein and vegetables.
- 💧 Hydration Matters: Dehydration causes fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Drink at least 16 oz of water with lunch and keep water accessible throughout the afternoon. Set phone reminders if you tend to forget.
- ⏰ Timing Your Lunch: Eat lunch between 12-1 PM to maintain consistent energy levels. Waiting too long causes blood sugar drops and poor food choices. Eating too early may leave you hungry before dinner.
- 🥤 Skip the Soda: Sugary drinks cause rapid blood sugar spikes followed by crashes. Even diet sodas can trigger hunger and cravings. Choose water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water with lemon instead.
- 🧠 Brain-Boosting Additions: Include foods rich in omega-3s (salmon, walnuts), antioxidants (berries, dark leafy greens), and B vitamins (eggs, lean meat) to support cognitive function during afternoon work tasks.
📦 Meal Prep Mastery
- 🍱 Bento Box Method: Use divided containers to keep components separate until eating. This prevents soggy vegetables and maintains optimal texture. Pack dressings and sauces separately in small containers.
- 🥗 Salad Assembly Strategy: For meal prep salads, layer ingredients strategically: dressing on bottom, hearty vegetables next, grains/proteins in the middle, and delicate greens on top. Shake before eating.
- ❄️ Freeze for Freshness: Some lunches freeze beautifully—soups, grain bowls, and casseroles. Make big batches on Sunday and pull out one portion each morning. They thaw during the morning and are ready by lunch.
- 🌡️ Temperature Matters: Invest in a good insulated lunch bag with ice packs, or store lunch in an office refrigerator. Food safety is crucial—keep cold foods cold (below 40°F) until eating.
- 🔥 Reheating Right: If reheating at work, add a splash of water or broth before microwaving to prevent drying out. Cover with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Let stand 1 minute before eating.
- 📝 Rotation System: Prep 2-3 different lunch recipes weekly to prevent boredom. Monday/Wednesday one recipe, Tuesday/Thursday another, Friday something different or leftovers from dinner.
- 🥄 Pack Smart Extras: Keep office supplies stocked: salt, pepper, hot sauce, napkins, and utensils. Having these essentials means your lunch is always ready to enjoy.
❓ Lunch Diet Questions
😴 Why am I tired after lunch?
Post-lunch fatigue typically results from eating too many refined carbohydrates, eating too much overall, or not drinking enough water. Large, carb-heavy meals trigger insulin spikes that can cause drowsiness. Focus on balanced portions with adequate protein and vegetables. Also ensure you’re sleeping well at night—lunch doesn’t cause tiredness; it just reveals existing fatigue.
🥪 Is it okay to eat the same lunch every day?
While convenient, eating identical lunches daily may limit nutritional variety and lead to boredom that triggers unhealthy choices. Rotate between 3-5 different lunch options weekly to ensure diverse nutrient intake and maintain interest. However, if you genuinely enjoy the same lunch and it meets nutritional needs, consistency can simplify meal planning.
⏰ What if I can’t take a full lunch break?
Even 15-20 minutes away from your desk makes a difference for mental health and productivity. Quick lunch options like pre-made mason jar salads, protein boxes, or bento boxes require minimal prep time. Eating at your desk while working isn’t ideal, but if necessary, choose meals that don’t require utensils and can be eaten slowly in small bites.
💰 How can I save money on work lunches?
Meal prepping lunches saves $50-100+ monthly compared to buying lunch daily. Cook once, eat 4-5 times. Use leftovers creatively—tonight’s roasted chicken becomes tomorrow’s salad topping or grain bowl protein. Buy ingredients in bulk and prep on weekends. The time investment pays off financially and health-wise.
📺 Recipe by: Dr. Eric Berg DC
🎬 Posted: 2018-11-23 11:54:52 | 🆔 Video ID: mBqpaAKtnXE
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