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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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images

 

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