TikTok Lunches: Mood Food To Keep You Going At Work
We all know that having a tasty and nutritious meal can boost your mood and strengthen your mind and body so you can stay on top of your game. In fact, experts have urged professionals not to skip lunch breaks in order to stay energized and to help you avoid issues like low blood sugar and irritability.
Well, oftentimes, it's easy to get into a bit of a mid-day meal rut, especially if you're tired of eating the same salads and sandwiches every day or you've found that your lunch simply isn't helping you in the productivity and motivation department.
Y'all know TikTok always has a good recipe or two (or three.. thousand) for all of us to try to master and savor, and here are a few TikTok lunch recipes from our favorite food baes that should help with that mid-day mood boost you need:
@nutritionbyshantel I had some leftover steak from dinner last night, and thought I'd make a steak sandwich with it. This is one of those recipes I just made up as I went along but it turned out AMAZING! I made a cucumber salad on the side and it hit all the spots. On your weight loss journey, don't be afraid to experiment during the week. Leftover proteins are one of the best and easiest ways to try new recipes and add things to your "like" list. WHAT YOU NEED FOR 2 SANDWICHES ✨ 4 slices thick cut bread (we had a leftover brioche loaf I used, feel free to use any bread you like though) 6 oz. steak (already cooked and sliced) 1/4 yellow bell pepper (sliced thin) 1/4 orange bell pepper (sliced thin) 1/2 small sweet onion (sliced onion) 1 green onion (chopped) For Sauce 1 tsp sesame oil 3 tbsp soy sauce (reduced sodium) 1 (heaping) tbsp light brown sugar 2 garlic cloves (minced) 1 tsp chili oil (or 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes) 1 tbsp filtered water WHAT YOU'LL DO ⬇️ -Heat a small cast iron or nonstick pan over medium heat. Add sesame oil, heat slightly, then add soy sauce, water and brown sugar. Mix well. Then add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes (until fragrant), add chili oil, mix again, then add leftover steak. Toss for 1 minute (you don't want it to cook, just warm up). Remove. - In the same pan, add bell peppers and onions in the leftover sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. If your sauce is thickening up add a touch of soy sauce. - Remove. Pour in any leftover sauce with the steak/peppers. Add green onions. Toss. - Toast your bread, add 1/2 steak mixture, and enjoy hot! Will you try this? (~524 calories per sandwich) ____ This recipe is under “Asian Style Steak Sandwich” in SHEtrition’s meal planner. It’s ready for you to add to your weekly meal plan. And if you’re ready to up level your nutrition and your weight loss this spring and finally lose weight without all the rules and overwhelm, I’d absolutely love to have you in my program, SHEtrition ❤️✨ Click the link in my bio to learn more or join today! #nutritiontips #weightlosstips #weightlossjourney #healthylifestyle #healthylunch #highproteinmeals ♬ What It Is (Block Boy) - Doechii
This steak sandwich, made by the nutritionist behind Nutrition by Shantel, just screams yummy and makes use of leftovers and pantry items you probably already have. Steak is a good source of protein and iron and, when eaten in moderation, has B12 nutrients that have been found to be beneficial to energy levels.
@flyeatsshow Top Tier Summer Salad = Cilantro Honey Lime Shrimp !! #saladoftheday #saladoftheweek #fyp #healthymeals #tiktokfoodie ♬ BREAK MY SOUL - Beyoncé
If you missed the boat on that viral cucumber salad, this one, prepped by Jessica of Fly Eats Show, takes things much further in the veggie and protein department and is packed with leafy greens (which is rich in nutrients like fiber, which helps balance blood sugar), tangy Argentinian red shrimp and a fermented element by way of pickled onions that add a bit of crunchy zest. Veggies are always a plus in any diet, and fermented foods have been found to balance gut activity, producing "feel-good brain chemicals, including serotonin.
@shakaylafelice more details in the comments #easyveganrecipes #lunchideas #plantbasedtiktok ♬ Massive - Drake
Shakayla of Sweet Greens Vegan offers something special for all our plant-based baes (or those who just want to incorporate a Meatless Monday lunch in your routine). This one is a delish lunch hit, with the main draw being sweet and sour tofu, a plant-based protein filled with "mood-boosting magnesium." The avocado also adds its own perks, offering a nutritious fat to the mix.
@kimmyskreations And thats on pur! #kimmyskreations #friedcabbage #porkfree ♬ original sound - Kimmy’s Kreations
With this quick dish by a TikTok fave, Kimmy of Kimmy's Kreations is a feel-good Southern dinner classic that you can certainly have for lunch. Made with turkey sausage and bell peppers, which are also said to be amazing mood-boosting veggies, you can certainly be sure to get all the feels.
@tishwonders CHESTNUT, BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND ORZO LENTIL SALAD (3-4 servings) ½ butternut squash 1 cup orzo 150g beluga or puy lentils 200g cooked chestnuts 2 red onions 3 roasted red peppers (jarred) 30g parsley 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 tbsp. lemon juice extra virgin olive oil sea salt black pepper #fyp #tishwonders ♬ original sound - Tish Wonders
This salad, via Tish Wonders, features fresh and not-so-traditional ingredients like orzo, lentils, chestnuts, and butternut squash. If you want something that's savory, has the vitamins you need, and just breaks the monotony of traditional salads, this is one to try. (Bonus: Add the protein of your choice to make this a bit more filling.) She chose salmon, which is a fatty fish that is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that are known to be anti-inflammatory and ideal for brain and nervous system development.
@orchidsnsweettea_ This velvety, smooth Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup is completely rich and comforting in flavor! 🍅 👉🏾For recipe, search ‘Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup’ on site. Link in bio. #tomatosoup #souplover #foodietiktok #foodtiktok #dinner #easydinner #grilledcheese #tomatoes #food ♬ Cal it a thing - noxz
Soups don't have to be reserved for sick days, and this one, by Shanika of Orchids + Sweet Tea, is hearty and full of flavor. The star here is tomatoes, which have gratifying nutrients like folate, iron, tryptophan, and B6 to positively impact your frame of mind.
@ebswc SPICY FRIED OYSTER MUSHROOM BURGER 🌶️ Back with another banging recipe using @lesleyssauces! This time we’re focusing on the hot pepper sauce 😍 INGREDIENTS: (makes 4 burgers/ half ingredients for less) For oyster mushrooms: 2 packs oyster mushrooms 1 tsp garlic powder 1 1/2 tsp chicken seasoning 1 tsp chilli powder Wet mix: 1/2 cup plain flour 1 tbsp all purpose 1/2 tbsp mixed herbs 100ml plant based milk 2 tbsp Lesley’s hot pepper sauce Dry mix: 1 cup plain flour 1 tbsp paprika 1/2 tbsp mixed herbs 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp mild curry powder 3 tbsp golden bread crumbs Spicy mayo: Mayo of choice Lesley’s Sauces hot pepper sauce 1 tsp dried parsley MEHTOD: 1. Prep oyster mushrooms and season them with garlic powder, chicken seasoning and chilli powder and set aside (the longer the better minimum 30 minutes). 2. Grab a bowl and mix all the batter/wet ingredients together and set aside. 3. Grab another bowl and mix all the dry mix ingredients together. 4. Add oil to a pan and heat up on a medium to high hear. 5. Whilst the pan is heating up, cover your mushrooms in the wet batter, the dry batter the wet and then the dry again (optional to repeat process but it makes it EXTRA crispy). 6. Once oyster mushrooms are fried. Set on some paper towel to soak up excess oil. 7. To make the spicy mayo add all the mayo ingredients listed above until mixed well. 8. Now build your burger! You can do this exactly how I have and add lettuce and tomatoes or any veg you prefer. ENJOY 🍴 Who’s feeling this burger? Show me in the comments 👇🏾 #friedoystermushrooms #lesleyssauces #veganburger #mushrooms #veganrecipe #veganmeals #mushrooms #blackveganrecipes #caribbeaninspired #eatwithebs #plantbasedrecipes #oystermushrooms #vegantiktok #vegansoftiktok #veganburgerrecipe #veganburgers #veganburger #kfc ♬ SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY - Remix - Amaarae & Kali Uchis
Ebony, of Eat With Ebs, offers this spin on your usual burger, using oyster mushrooms, another cultivated option that has powerful compounds said to be a great source of antioxidants. They have also been found to---you guessed it---regulate blood sugar, which has a major impact on how you feel.
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After college, I successfully landed an entertainment news role. I was passionate about my work and grateful for obtaining a job in my desired field. But like most entry-level positions in the creative industry, the pay was left to be desired. I quickly realized that I needed a second job to pay my bills.
Multiple career fairs later, I started a position with an insurance company.
My new role felt like my first “big girl” job because it had full benefits, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Plus, I could work this job during the day and my other gig at night. I excelled in my new role – exceeded the required enterprise accuracy score, received several cash awards, and was consistently selected to train my team members on different learning variances.
Everything was great initially, but unfortunately, the job that guaranteed financial stability became a nightmare after a while.
The first red flag was that this insurance company had an extremely high turnover rate primarily due to the relentless workload; therefore, teams were forced to consolidate and change leadership constantly. I was quickly burning out but overlooked the deteriorating company culture because it allowed me to keep my journalism gig and offered endless overtime. Also, the manager I had at the time was great – he provided opportunities for growth and mentorship.
It wasn’t until I reached my fourth manager that I had my first experience with a hostile work environment.
After several months on her team, my manager started the process of “quietly firing” me despite excelling on the team.
Team Building refers to quiet firing as a “passive-aggressive approach to performance management.” Supervisors will create unpleasant work conditions, which can cause an employee to suffer mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically.
Whether unintentional – because leaders can unintentionally be neglectful – or intentional, quiet firing creates a toxic work environment.
She stopped providing feedback, blocked promotional opportunities, and eventually denied my yearly raise. I felt hopeless. I couldn’t properly do my role some days because my manager spent most of her office hours avoiding her team. All issues on the team were ignored, and any work-related questions went unanswered.
Whenever I walked into the office, it felt like a dark cloud was cast over me because most of my day would consist of doing others’ jobs or explaining to other managers why I was reaching out to them instead of my own. It wasn’t until I worked myself nearly to death that I realized this job wasn’t worth it.
My health declined rapidly. I started to experience excruciating body aches and fatigue, and my hair was falling out. Clocking into a job where I was just a number, and work still had to be completed despite my failing health was exhausting. I ignored constant pleas from friends and family members to get help out of fear of being unable to pay my bills.
The last time I was admitted to the hospital, my manager called me, and instead of asking how I was, she asked when I was returning to work. The team’s numbers decreased drastically, and upper management wasn’t happy. My manager couldn't care less if I was okay as long as I made her look good. I’m not sure why it seemed like a shocking revelation at the time, but it did. The next time I went into the office, I resigned.
After a few years of forcing a working relationship that wasn’t meant to be, I finally left.
And in all my years of working, that job was the only one I ever walked away from. Although the toxic environment influenced my decision, something about quitting made me feel like a failure. Truthfully, I felt guilty for quitting at first. I believed it was irresponsible to quit without a backup plan. However, I later learned that my manager's hostile tactics, which I loathed, ended up being a blessing.
The entire experience made me realize that God had repeatedly shown me to leave that toxic job, but I was too afraid. It wasn’t until He made me sit still that I learned that this door was meant to close. Strangely, I’m happy my manager acted the way she did because I would’ve never had the courage to leave since that job equaled stability; I was complacent because I could pay my bills.
And that’s the life of so many currently – staying in an uncomfortable position because it offers stability.
That job also taught me the importance of pivoting. It doesn’t matter what your plan or backup plan is; you must be able to pivot at any time – be flexible and adaptable. The last lesson it taught me was never to settle for a job regardless of pay. I am no longer afraid to turn down a job if it’s not a good fit.
My physical and mental health is far more important than a job that can easily replace me at any moment.
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