Welcome to Thrifty. A weekly column the place assistant diet editor and registered dietitian, Jessica Ball, retains it actual on how one can grocery store on a price range, make wholesome meals for one or two, and make earth-friendly selections with out overhauling your total life
I’m a dietitian on a budget, and lately working from house has modified my routine in some ways. I do much less meal planning as a result of I can stroll to the shop for a fast lunch break, and I not meal prep egg muffins for breakfast as a result of I’ve time to make one thing contemporary every day. That mentioned, there are positively moments once I don’t feel like cooking or my fridge is fairly naked. Fortunately, there may be one pantry-friendly dish that I’m at all times within the temper for: the ever-versatile tuna salad. Tuna salad is my go-to lunch—it is fast, straightforward, inexpensive and to not point out tremendous nutritious.
There are such a lot of the explanation why I really like tuna salad. For one, it depends on panty substances I at all times have available: canned tuna and mayonnaise. From there, I spruce it up with no matter crunchy veg I would like to make use of up, ideally onions, carrots, celery or some mixture. Final however actually not least, I add plenty of herbs—quite a bit, like a wholesome handful. This, plus a squeeze of lemon juice, helps brighten up the savory standby for a filling and nutritious lunch. To not point out, it is tremendous inexpensive and helps me eat more seafood on a budget. Canned tuna is one thing you’ll at all times discover in my kitchen due to its diet bang in your buck.
Pictured Recipe: Crunchy Confetti Tuna Salad
Not solely are you able to improvise with the substances you add to your tuna, but additionally it may be served in a wide range of methods. I normally serve it over salad greens for a contemporary, mild lunch. Once I’m a bit extra hungry, I unfold it on prime of a bit of whole-grain bread, like an open-faced tuna salad sandwich. You too can scoop it up with entire grain crackers or sliced greens, like cucumbers and carrots. In case you are vegetarian, to not fear. You may observe mainly the identical formulation with a can of beans (take our Chickpea “Chicken” Salad as proof).
Tuna salad is my go-to lunch once I’m working from house and want one thing fast. Plus, it helps me enhance my veggie and seafood consumption simply and affordably. Improvising the substances and herbs I take advantage of helps me get the flavors I am within the temper for in only a matter of minutes. For extra, try these good 10-minute work-from-home lunch ideas.