Simple ways to punch up lunch

Unlike dinner, making my work lunch isn’t a task that’s always prioritized. The result? I cobble something together at the last minute, and while it’s passable, it leaves a whole lot to be desired. I’m on a mission to change that, and I’d like to think I’m off to a good start.

The most important thing I’ve learned is that perking up your work lunch doesn’t have to take a whole lot of time, effort or extra money. With lunch, as in life, it’s the smallest changes that make the biggest impact.

Use a better lunch container.

If you’re packing lunch, arm yourself with some decent containers, which can be the key to a well-preserved meal. Stick with large, light containers for salads, meal prep containers with snap lids, or a bento-style lunch box if you’re packing a medley of items.

Step away from your desk.

Whether it’s at the kitchen table or a bench outside, the change of location offers a reprieve and lets you focus on what you’re eating.

Ditch the plastic utensils.

Using real flatware makes lunch feel like a real meal and a little

more grown-up.

Use a real plate or bowl. The same goes for real plates and bowls. It’s such a small thing that makes a big difference.

Pack a cloth napkin. It’s a little luxury that has a way of making even the simplest of work lunches feel fancy.

Add a pinch of fancy salt. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt will always make lunch better. I stash a tiny container in my desk so I always have it on hand.

Keep a small bottle stashed in your desk to drizzle on salads, grain bowls, soup or any type of leftovers.

Take a recipe (or lunch) you love and eat regularly, then mix in (or top it with) something unexpected. Maybe that’s adding crumbled bacon or toasted coconut flakes to your PB&J; giving tuna salad a banh mi-style twist with quick-pickled veggies, cilantro and Sriracha mayo; or topping salads and grain bowls with croutons that taste like pizza,

tacos or Buffalo wings.

Whip up a sauce. Sauce can perk up even the drabbest lunches. Try green tahini, pesto, chimichurri and tomatillo sauce — all of them burst with flavor.

Not only is a crusty roll totally tasty, but it’s also less likely to get soggy than sliced sandwich bread.

Swap out mayo or mustard for a swipe of hummus, pesto, olive tapenade, rose harissa or aioli, and your go-to turkey and cheese instantly tastes a lot more exciting.

Saute some nuts. They make a salty, buttery, crunchy topping for your salads — you will wonder why you haven’t been doing it all along.

Pack a lemon. Along with smelling nice, a squeeze makes water and seltzer more exciting, brightens up leftovers and makes a great impromptu salad dressing.

Always pack a treat. A square of dark chocolate, a cookie, a few gummies — whatever your favorite treat is, it has the power to instantly make lunch feel a little more special.

MARTI SANS/STOCKSY