With all of the adult responsibilities one must attend to every day (don’t worry, I won’t list them all here), it’s difficult to prioritize a healthy lunch when ordering a Chipotle burrito for delivery is so convenient.
Instead, fill your lunchbox with protein-packed, veggie-filled lunches that make you feel good enough to make it to quitting time. A little meal prep goes a long way when it comes to your work week.
Stop neglecting lunchtime with these easy healthy lunch ideas.
1. Island Chicken with Melon Salad
You’ll find chicken on almost all healthy recipe lists, but this tasty recipe is bathed in Mediterranean spices that will turn lunch into your most important meal of the day.
The creamy, low-fat coconut yogurt balances out the aromatic spices and can easily be substituted for any plain yogurt.
The fruit salad adds more island flavors for a delicious lunch full of protein and flavor.
2. Roasted Chickpea and Avocado Salad
Chickpeas are an ideal vegetarian lunch option, as they’re protein-packed, versatile, and taste delicious warm or cold (but especially satisfying when crispy like they are here).
The colorful array of fresh veggies will help you reach your nutrient goal for the day.
This chickpea salad recipe uses extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice instead of a traditional store-bought salad dressing, so you get all of the fresh flavors with half of the calories.
3. Buffalo Chicken Grain Bowl
When you find yourself nearly falling asleep at your computer in the middle of the workday, this lunch recipe will infuse you with new energy.
The combo of honey-mustard vinaigrette and hot sauce blows any regular buffalo sauce away.
Couscous is a protein-packed grain that complements grilled chicken perfectly. With almost no prep time, this easy lunch can be thrown together right before bed.
4. Turkey Quinoa Casserole
When you know you have a busy week ahead, this is the perfect lunch recipe for meal prep.
Ground turkey is a lean source of protein that absorbs flavor well. This is a gluten-free recipe that is full of nutrients from the superfood spinach, but you can also substitute any leafy green like arugula or kale.
Garnish with a veggie such as bell peppers or tomatoes and you’ve got delicious lunch for the whole week.
5. Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps
Ditch the tortillas and bread and bring low-carb crunchy lettuce wraps to the office.
The ground beef in this recipe simmers with a sauce mixed with garlic, cilantro, fish sauce, and mint for unique, Asian flavors you may not encounter often.
Serve with brown rice to add a tasty carb. Light, paleo-friendly, and gluten-free—it doesn’t get much tastier than this.
6. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
This is not the same chicken salad you have at your family picnics.
This healthy recipe doesn’t include mayo, so it’s much lower in calories and fat. Instead, it uses creamy greek yogurt for even more protein and a delicious texture.
Use this mixture in a salad, on a sandwich, or with crackers. Either way, it will taste just like your favorite comfort food.
7. BBQ Chicken Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw
Your favorite Mexican dish tastes better when you know it’s good for you.
Use a sugar-free barbecue sauce with your pulled chicken for a tender, flavorful protein.
The greek-yogurt-based coleslaw is tangy with a kick and brings out the smoky flavors of the BBQ. If you want to make this dish even healthier, use gluten-free tortillas.
8. Mayo-Free Pasta Salad
Nobody likes feeling sluggish when they have an afternoon of Zoom meetings ahead of them.
This light and fresh pasta salad uses an olive-oil-based vinaigrette that prioritizes healthy fats to add flavor. The combo of the vinaigrette with soft cheese gives this pasta salad a creamy, rich texture. (If the goat cheese is not your thing, feta would work great here as well.)
Customize this recipe with your favorite veggies, from red onion to red peppers to cucumber. Taking this recipe to work means you don’t have to wait in line for the microwave—score!
9. Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Walnut Pesto
Leftover pasta is a favorite for lunch the next day, but it’s often too high-carb and high-fat for healthy eating. This sweet potato gnocchi is gluten-free and contains important nutrients like potassium, fiber, and vitamin A.
The delicious fresh herbs of the pesto sauce pair well with the sweetness of the sweet potato.
Making this healthy recipe is especially fun if you imagine you’re making your homemade pasta in a faraway Italian village.