It’s easy to get into a lunch rut and sometimes all you need are some new ideas to change things up! Check out my 3 Easy Healthy Lunch Ideas this week.
Hi guys! How’s January treating you?! We started the year with a new schedule and lot of changes. And so far I’ve noticed that similar to my old corporate days, lunch time has become kind of stressful unless I prepare ahead.
For me the key to preparing ahead is thinking of 2-3 lunch recipes I want to eat in a week, buying the necessary ingredients and making/packing as much ahead of time as possible. This week I’ve been on a cabbage, avocado and soup kick. Let me explain!
By Meal Planning our dinners, I normally have a good idea of what our dinners will look for the upcoming week. With that in mind, I try to pair my lunches to balance the day out.
On days when dinner will be much more carb/fat heavy (like creamy pasta nights, pizza night or restaurant nights) I eat a big veggie packed salad for lunch.
On days when dinner is much lighter and healthier (like quinoa bakes, grilled protein and veg nights, salads or egg dishes) I eat either soup and bread OR avocaod toast for lunch.
The 3 lunches I’m loving this week (and last week too) are:
Cabbage Thai Salad
photo via Jessica Gavin. I also love this Epicurious salad recipe.
I am not a big fan of lettuce salads. I like them as a dinner side sometimes but not as a main for lunch. Instead I’m on team cabbage! So much more nutrition, crunch and it’s the type of salad base that can stay hearty and crunchy all day!
This salad is all about the crunchy veggies, a Thai inspired dressing and crunchy peanuts. I normally don’t add pepper and cilantro because I’m lazy and instead add leftover roasted veggies from last night’s dinners or my kids’ meals (like roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, squash or tofu). I also sprinkle on hemp hearts for a little extra protein.
Great thing about this salad is you can make it ahead of time! I like to chop and mix everything up on Sunday. Then just dress the salad and sprinkle on the peanuts/hemp hearts before eating.
Because of the cabbage and big crunch factor, a big bowl of this salad keeps me full for a long long time!
Avocado Toast
Photo via Honey What’s Cooking
This is the easiest lunch ever I think. This is a basic recipe that I modify. My bread of choice is Ezekiel. Plus 1/2 a ripe avocado (usually from Trader Joe’s) smashed w salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
Toppings: This week I have cucumber slices and everything bagel seasoning. If I have time I’ll add a fried egg. Sometimes I’ll add arugula or smoked salmon if I have some. This is lunch, plus an apple or maybe a handful of nuts or homemade granola.
If you have a toaster at work, this is a lunch you can actually make at there. Bring the bread and half an avocado with you. Plus maybe a hard-boiled egg, and a knife/fork for smashing. Boom lunch is served in 5.
Carrot Ginger Soup
I’m totally obsessed with this soup. And I’m so lucky my crew does too (minus my 3 year old who decided she doesn’t like it anymore). This soup is amazing, easy and so darn comforting!
Loaded with carrots, a little celery, lots of ginger and cashews, it’s a nutrient packed soup that saves well and tastes amazing all week!
Normally I will make a big batch on the weekend and plan it for Monday night dinner. For my crew I make a side of Puff pastry pizza pinwheels which they LOVE! Then I get soup leftovers for the week!
Perfect for a quick office lunch or standing by the kitchen counter lunch. I normally wolf my down with a side of buttered toast while helping my tiny human eat and picking up all the food she throws to the floor. Totally yummy, satisfying and makes me feel good until my afternoon snack!
There it is guys! The lunches I’m digging this week that I hope inspire you! Nothing fancy or complicated or stressful. Just good wholesome food to keep you going and going and going with a smile on your face.
Originally posted 2019-01-14 21:42:55.
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