LUNCHBOX INSPIRATION

Need some ideas to spice up your afternoon meals? Marks & Spencer has a range of options.

MEXICAN

FULL OF BEANS WRAP:

Add a tin of kidney beans (including their liquid) to a saucepan along with 1 chopped red onion, 1 sliced red pepper and ½ tbsp M&S Mexican paste. Once the onion has softened, add ½ of a tin of chopped tomatoes and simmer. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Spread 2 tsp M&S lighter creamy soft cheese on to a wholemeal wrap along with a handful of baby gem lettuce, 2 tbsp beans (use the rest for dinner-time fajitas) and ½ tbsp grated M&S lighter mature cheddar, before wrapping.

AVO’DIP & CRUNCHY CRUDITÉS: Smash ¼ of an avocado with the juice of ½ a lime and 1 tsp olive oil. Cut ¼ of a cucumber, ½ a carrot and ½ a celery stick into batons to serve with the dip. Avocado is a great source of potassium and vitamin 6.

GREEK

SUNSHINE SALAD: Slice ¼ of a cucumber lengthways,

remove the seeds and cut into half-moons. Mix with 100g watermelon chunks, 2 shredded mint leaves, 20g crumbled feta and a drizzle of olive oil.

CRUNCHY MEZZE & HOUMOUS: Serve 50g reduced-fat houmous with crunchy crudités – like peppers, tomatoes and sugar snaps – and one wholemeal pitta sliced into triangles. Complete the mezze with three M&S fresh herb falafels.

ITALIAN

BAGEL PIZZA: Top half a bagel with ½ tbsp M&S sundried tomato paste, 3 sliced cherry tomatoes and 15g torn M&S lighter Italian mozzarella. Bake in the oven at 180°C for 8 minutes, until the bases are crisp, and the cheese has melted. Garnish with basil and serve with salad.

RED PEPPER PITTA CHIPS: These baked bites carry the M&S Eat Well sunflower, which is their health seal of approval. Add 20g of the pitta chips to lunch for a crunchy snack.