Lunch is a tricky meal. The easily forgotten but much-needed midday meal. It is difficult to find time to #1) eat lunch but #2) make lunch. So here I have compiled a list of healthy weekday lunch ideas that take less than 5 minutes to throw together. It’s important to eat lunch for many reasons, but the most important of them all is the fact that we often crash later in the afternoon and typically reach for unsatisfying alternatives. That’s why I have made an EASY list of healthy weekday lunch ideas to get you through your week in a breeze.
My ideas typically consist of protein, healthy carbs, and healthy fats. To disclaimer, some of these meals should be more considered as a SNACK, not a complete substitute for lunch. Anyways, I hope you find these ideas inspiring and feasible to work into your weekly lunch rotation and busy schedule.
Lunch Idea #1: Plantain chips, deli meat, veggies, and power bites. This small lunch is probably my most realistic and recommended when I am cut short of time. Those busy weekday mornings catch up to you. My blueberry power bites recipe can be found here. I always keep some type of power balls on hand to satisfy an after-meal sweet-tooth craving, as well as provide healthy fats and protein to keep me full and fueled.
Lunch Idea #2: Turkey, bacon, lettuce, and mayo on toasted bread. Need I say more? This sandwich because it tastes like one you would buy at a cafe for $10, but it takes a few minutes to throw together and uses simple ingredients. Toasting bread for sandwiches always adds an elevation of flavor, but the majority of us do not work at home. I promise you that this sandwich still tastes amazing with untoasted bread!
Bacon takes a lot of time and effort to cook. A practical and affordable trick for bacon is to buy pre-cooked bacon for those busy mornings and afternoons. Costco and Sam’s Club carry this brand that is delicious and makes easy meals like this easier and more flavorful. Just pop it into the microwave for 10 seconds, and you have yourself crispy bacon for sandwiches and wraps. I also like to add it to scrambled eggs in the mornings!
Lunch Idea #3: LEFTOVERS! Okay, I know this one isn’t super creative. But I will say that not all leftovers are created equal. Some taste WAY better than others. For example, I would not recommend taking leftover steak to work with you. If it is not reheated correctly, it will become tough and chewy. A pre-made salad would get soggy. Simple leftovers that are great and easily transportable are meals that contain a grain and a white protein. Like chicken, rice, and beans with some cajun flare. Pack some whole-grain tortillas in a bag, and you got yourself an easy lunch that can be reheated quickly in a microwave, losing none of its mojo.
Lunch Idea #4: A simple wrap, veggies, and whole grain chips. I don’t know about you, but when I browse the internet, I often come across elaborate wraps. They look incredible, but often they have many ingredients that are not realistic to whip up on the weekends. I often make myself a simple wrap using deli meat (turkey or chicken), a whole grain wrap, and any sauce I desire. My trick for avoiding getting bored with a wrap is to switch up the flavors of the deli meat you purchase. I love chipotle, buffalo, and rotisserie chicken deli meat flavors. They are so delicious. Adding a vegetable like a bell pepper is a simple way to add more nutrients like vitamin C. I am a HUGE chip girly, and some of my favorite flavored chips are from Aldi, like the ones linked here.
Lunch Idea #5: A throw-together! This lunch should be prefaced more as a large snack. But sometimes, this is the best we can do, depending on our time availability and fridge stock. This lunch below features two small nut bars, an apple, cheese sticks, dried mango, and mini cookies. The most important thing when creating a balanced lunch is to have protein, fats, and carbs. Without those key ingredients, you will surely be hungry within the hour. All of these can be swapped out for what you have available. This is just some inspo!
And with that, our 5 healthy lunch ideas are a wrap. Haha, get it? Anyways, I hope these simple and easy ideas help nourish your mind and body throughout those crazy weekdays. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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