I have my first time trial tomorrow night at 6:30. It's a 40k. Because this is my first TT, I'm a bit unsure how to eat beforehand. I've been eating my normal, fairly balanced diet throughout the week, and I'm doing some carb-loading tonight at dinner.

My question involves lunch tomorrow - is there anything I should particularly avoid or seek out for lunch at around 12:30 or so? I know it probably won't make much of a difference, but I want to make sure I have enough energy without feeling sluggish during the day...

Carbo loading doesn't mean pigging out on pasta the night before (not saying that is what you will be doing). Generally it means increasing percentage of carbo hydrates in your diet few days before the event. Wiki to the rescue with some brief info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate_loading Also biggest thing is don't change things at the day of the race. Stick with what you know. Not a good idea to try that "new and improved formula" sports drink that a friend swears by, if you never had it before.

This is what was recommended to me. Few hours before the long race something that will digest slowly. Before the race small snack, with simple carbs. Bananas are great. Then during a race try to eat at regular intervals to keep blood sugar constant.
For 40k TT it's more important is to have a good warm up and pace yourself. Last few kilometers are the hardest. Both mentally and physically. Check out the terrain. If it's hilly try to go a bit harder on the uphill, and a bit easier on the downhill.

Eat something mostly carbs but with some fat and protein for lunch - nothing too heavy.

Have perhaps 100-200 calories of carbs around 1 hour before the event.

Thanks for the advice. I started ramping up the carbs two days ago, so it was not an attempt to gorge myself on pasta tonight...

I'll go with something fairly light for lunch then, and maybe a Clif bar about an hour before the race.