5 healthy lunch meals to make you full all day

Lunch is the second most important meal of the day, as it helps the body re-energize for the long afternoon haul that may include a post-office workout session. In fact, Livestrong reports that eating lunch raises blood sugar levels when the body's focus and concentration may be faltering. It also helps keep the body's metabolism active.

According to Dr. Kurt Hong, director of the Huntington Medical Foundation's Center for Human Nutrition, "Extended periods of starvation between large meals create gaps which keep metabolism from staying active."

For lunch, Dr. Hong recommends a combination of complex carbohydrates and lean protein to provide a long-lasting source of energy for the body. Here are some great recipes to consider.

1. Honey Mustard Chicken. As previously mentioned, lean protein is an important factor in a healthy, energy-boosting lunch. Additionally, the American Heart Association recommends chicken because it has less saturated fat than most red meat. Get the recipe for honey mustard chicken at Spoon University.

2. Chicken Pita. To maximize protein intake, especially those who are building muscle, pair chicken breasts with yogurt, another healthy protein source. This recipe from Huffington Post combines chicken and yogurt in a delicious lunch meal. Yogurt is also good for weight loss. Fitness Magazine reports that according to nutrition professor and lead study author Michael Zemel, PhD, "Fat around your waist produces the hormone cortisol, which tells your body to accumulate even more belly flab," but when you consume yogurt, calcium tells the fat cells to create less cortisol, making it easier to lose weight around the waist area.

3. Quinoa Tabbouleh. This recipe from BBC Good Food features quinoa, tomatoes, and cucumber combined in a flavorful lunch. Quinoa is a gluten-free whole grain packed with B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and fiber, which helps keep you full for a longer period of time, Medical News Today reports.

4. Deconstructed Sushi in a Jar. Join the jar revolution and pack lunch in a reusable container that benefits not only yourself, but also the environment. This sushi recipe from Spoon University is composed of carrot, cucumber, avocado, and brown rice, which bring several health benefits. In fact, Mercola reports that avocados are a source of healthy monounsaturated fat, vitamins and antioxidants.

5. Curried Egg Salad Sandwich. For those on the go, try a sandwich that packs a punch, like this one from Health. This recipe combines a low-fat alternative to mayonnaise via Greek yogurt, and brings all the goodness of eggs in an easy to make and eat-anywhere lunch sandwich.