It's very easy to get into a rut with the lunches that you pack for work or school. Try out some new and healthy lunch ideas by reading on.
Homemade Burrito Bowl
Skip Chipotle and make your own burrito bowls that are much healthier. Stir in 1 cup of salsa into 1 cup of cooked rice, then top it with 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 can of black beans, 1 can of corn, 2 diced Roma tomatoes, 1 diced avocado, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves. For an easy chipotle cream sauce, just whisk together 1 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp chipotle paste, 1 clove of garlic, the juice of 1 lime, and salt to taste, and when the mixture is consistent drizzle it over your burrito bowl.
Mini Frittatas
Get a meatless protein boost to help you power through the rest of your work day by packing these mini frittatas. Whisk 10 large eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add a thinly sliced leek and saute the eggs on a skillet until slightly browned and then pour them into a non-stick muffin tin. Add 1/2 cup of chorizo that's been softened by cooking it shortly and a cup of chopped spinach, and then sprinkle a cup of mozzarella and a tablespoon of oregano. Heat for about 10 minutes at 375 degrees.
Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad
Combine 3 cups of cooked kidney beans, 1 1/2 cups of cooked chickpeas, 1 diced red onion, 2 sliced stalks of celery, 1 chopped tomato, 1 diced cucumber, 3/4 cup chopped parsley, 2 tbsp chopped dill or mint in a large bowl. Top with a dressing mixture of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 cloves of garlic, 3/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Hawaiian Veggie Burger
Get that great burger taste with much fewer calories by substituting veggie patties and avocado paste. Cook a veggie patty and put it on a whole wheat bun, and top it with 1/4 of an avocado that's been mashed, 1 round of pineapple, a handful of alfalfa sprouts, and 2 tbsp of BBQ sauce.
Cajun Shrimp Jar
Mason jar salads are a trendy and simple way to enjoy a flavorful lunch. Fill a mason jar with seasoned peppers, sautéed onions, cajun shrimp, guacamole, and spinach.
Spicy Asian Salad
This tasty and unique Asian salad will only take you a few minutes to make! In a large plastic bag, simply add 2 bags of shredded carrots, 2 bags of shredded salad (or slaw and kale mix), 2 tbsp black sesame seeds, 1 sliced jalapeno, 1 shredded rotisserie chicken, the juice of 2 limes, 4 tbsp tamari or soy sauce, 1 tbsp Sriracha, and a light drizzle of liquid stevia, honey, or maple syrup for sweetness. Shake the bag vigorously, and then empty into a bowl.
Hummus Veggie Wrap
Cover a lavash bread wrap with 2-3 tbsp roasted red pepper hummus, a handful of shredded carrots, a handful of baby spinach, edamame soy beans, avocado slices, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice. Simply roll the bread wrap up and then cut the roll into slices.
Turkey Meatball Collard Wraps
Large collard green leaves make perfect healthy wrap material. Prepare turkey meatballs, and mash each one into its own collard green leaf. Then place avocado slices, tomato slices, and some dijon mustard on each leaf. Finally, roll up each leaf.
Arugula And Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
Prepare 3/4 lb of gemelli or another short pasta, and toss it with 1 can cannellini beans and 3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese. Make a dressing by whisking together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red-wine vinegar, 2 tsp dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. Toss the pasta mix with the dressing, 1 bunch of torn arugula, and 1/2 a red onion sliced.
Kale-Quinoa Bowl
For an incredibly healthy lunch that is quick and easy to prepare, look no further than this tasty kale and quinoa bowl. Bowl a cup of quinoa for about 10 minutes, and then add a bunch of chopped kale into the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, and then remove the pot from the heat and let it sit. Combine the kale and quinoa mix with a zested lemon, 2 minced scallions, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese, and 3 tbsp toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds.
Avocado Sandwich With White Bean Spread
Make a white bean spread by combining 2 cans of white beans in a mixing bowl with 2 tbsp olive oil and the juice of 1/2 a lemon, and then mash until it's a chunky paste and season with salt and pepper. Spread some of the spread onto a slice (or multiple slices) or bread, and top with slices of red onion, cucumber, and avocado, and also some arugula or sprouts.
Pesto Chicken Roll
Simply toss diced chicken breast with pesto, diced mozzarella, and some veggies of your choice. Sliced snap peas, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes are all good ideas. Place the mix onto a whole grain hot dog bun or eat it with bread.
Zucchini And Corn Fritters
Indulge in the delicious taste of pancakes with this guilt-free, veggie-filled alternative that makes a great lunch. Use about half the liquid you normally would in a whole grain pancake batter, then stir in a cup of frozen corn, a handful of grated zucchini, a sliced scallion, and a handful of Parmesan. Cook until golden and then pack along with Greek yogurt for dipping.
Avocado Carrot Sushi
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get delicious sushi — you can make it in a flash in your own kitchen! Brush a toasted nori sheet with sesame oil, and then put cold sushi rice on top of it in a thin layer. Line the inside with avocado slices, cucumber sticks, and shredded carrots, then tightly roll and cut into discs.
Asparagus Gruyere Panini
Layer Gruyere cheese on a large whole wheat tortilla, season with pepper, and then lay roasted or steamed asparagus spears in a layer on top. Drizzle with lemon juice and then fold the tortilla in half to enclose it. Cook on a panini press or skillet until the cheese begins to melt.
Lentil Salad With Poached Eggs
This lentil and egg salad combination will pack a major protein-fueled punch into your lunch! Just toss 1/2 cup of lentils, 1/2 cup of salad, and slices of 1/4 of an avocado. Top with 2 slices of tomato and 2 poached eggs.
Stuffed Sweet Potato
You can still enjoy the taste of potatoes and sour cream without the fattening and unhealthy ingredients. Cook a sweet potato and slice it into discs. Top each disc with a dollop of Greek yogurt, crumbles of turkey bacon, and chopped scallions.
Sweet And Sour Broccoli Salad
Cut 3 small stalks of broccoli into florets, and then toss them in a bowl with 1/4 cup of sweet and sour sauce. Drizzle on a tablespoon of sesame oil, black sesame seeds, and some more sweet and sour sauce if you want. After mixing, throw in a handful of roasted cashews and slices of 2 stalks of green scallions and mix again.
Couscous Salad
Cook 1 cup of couscous and add to it 1/2 cup of halved grape tomatoes, 1/2 cup of diced cucumbers, lemon zest, 3 tbsp olive oil, and salt and pepper. Toast 1/4 cup of pine nuts on a skillet and then add them to the salad along with 2 tbsp minced scallions. Toss, top with 1 teaspoon sumac, and pack away for lunch.
