Sandwiches are a lunchtime staple for good reasons. “From a convenience standpoint, sandwiches are relatively easy to eat in any setting, they can be as simple or intricate to put together as you want, some require little to no temperature control for at least four hours depending on the ingredients, and they travel easily in a reusable bag,” saysTrista Best, RD, MPH, an environmental health specialist and consultant with Balance One Supplements (a company that sells supplements) in Dalton, Georgia.
But from a nutritional standpoint, a lot of sandwiches are lacking. Slapping some processed meat and cheese on refined white bread with mayo isn’t the best way to fuel up midday. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make this lunchbox mainstay better for you, and better tasting, too. Just follow these easy guidelines for building a healthier sandwich.
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5 Dos for a Healthy Sandwich
1. Load it with fruits or vegetables.In many sandwich recipes, vegetables are seen as secondary. Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, RD, the founder of Hispanic Food Communications, says that when it comes to fresh, delicious, and healthy sandwich ideas, vegetables can be the star. “Cucumber, tomato, and zucchini slices, water chestnuts, or your other favoritevegetablesare all great,” she says.
“Fruits add a wonderful tasty crunch to sandwiches. Try thin-sliced cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, pears, and apples with your sandwiches,” Melendez-Klinger says. And don’t forget the classics — lettuce, onions, pickles, and fresh peppers, Best says. “For those who prefer hot sandwiches or less-crunchy toppings, avocados, cooked peppers, cooked mushrooms, grilled onions, and spinach are great choices,” Best says. “By adding a variety of produce over high-fat condiments and a variety of meats, you are making this meal more balanced and healthier.”
2. Lay down a lighter spread.Many a healthy sandwich is undone by high-calorie spreads like full-fat mayonnaise. Instead, find ways to add flavor without a lot of fat, says Kathy Taylor, RD, the director of nutrition at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. “Choose low-fat condiments like low-fat mayo or salad dressing, mustard, or hummus to add moisture to your sandwich and still keep it in a good calorie range,” she says. A few slices of avocado can be another good choice; although it is high in fat, it is the healthy monounsaturated kind. Holly Klamer, RD, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, adds guacamole and a splash of olive oil vinaigrette to the list of light-yet-flavorful dressings.
3. Go with lean protein.“The base of your sandwich is typically a protein, whether it be peanut butter or an animal protein of some sort,” Best says. Meat can be part of a healthy sandwich — the secret is choosinglean, unprocessed sources of proteinthat don’t burden your sandwich with excess fat and calories. “Choose healthy proteins like sliced chicken, fish, or turkey, or even canned tuna or salmon,” Taylor suggests. Look for light tuna in a can or pouch, which has less mercury than albacore, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Peanut butter or another nut butter is a good option for plant-based eaters. “If it is an option, choose naturalpeanut or almond butter, because there are less fillers and it tends to be more nutrient dense,” Best says. Plus, one article found that each serving of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich can add 33 minutes of healthy life.
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4. Choose whole-wheat bread.One of the best ways to make your sandwich recipe both filling and nutritious is to choose the right bread, explains Melendez-Klinger. “Mix up your sandwich selection by trying breads higher in fiber, such as whole wheat,” she says. “These choices will help you feel fuller longer.” That’s because high-fiber foods are bulkier and also slow the absorption of sugar to improve blood sugar levelsand help decrease inflammation and cholesterol, according to theMayo Clinic.
5. Eat a smaller sandwich.Finally, one of the simplest ideas is also one of the easiest — avoid the monster sandwiches that are available at many restaurants in favor of a smaller portion, Taylor says. “A footlong adds double the calories,” she says. Or, if the sandwich comes on thick bread, try removing the top or bottom slice to slim the sandwich down, Klamer suggests.
