Fave (Healthy) Lunches

[mlee116]

Since the beginning of the year, I've been meal prepping and bringing lunch to work almost every day, but I'm running out of ideas! What are some of your favorite healthy lunches?   I've been doing lots of sheet pan meals and salads but they are getting old.

[2chatter]

I eat frozen meals for lunch every day.

[liziz]

We have been making soup! My favorite one is Skinnytaste Stuffed Pepper Soup.

[kimberlyb]

Besides salads, my go-to healthy lunches are: stir-fry with cauliflower rice, omelets, romaine hearts with deli meat, veggies, and mustard, stuffed sweet potatoes (chicken with onions and Frank’s hot sauce) or stuffed acorn squash with sautéed spinach, turkey sausage, onions and cranberries. I usually make two entrees per week and rotate so I’m not eating the same lunch every day.

[tas1883]

I've made my own knock off Chicken Teriyaki bowls before.

Right now it is cans of soup or leftovers.

Wraps and salads are my go to for summer. DD is really liking her tri-colored pasta salad for lunch.

[mommyatty]

I like mason jar salads, which I learned about here. I change them up enough that they don't get too old. I'm also a huge fan of sandwiches. Especially ham/cheese, egg salad, and roasted turkey. Oh and roasted chicken w BBQ sauce.

Fav thing is to cook a turkey breast in crockpot and then use meat for salads and sandwiches. Yum.

[lbonga1]

kimberlyb, do the omelets reheat well? I don't think I've ever tried microwaving already-cooked egg.

[kimberlyb]

lbonga1 , omelets reheat well in the microwave but scrambled eggs not so much.

[mlee116]

Love all those ideas, kimberlyb! I may try the stuffed sweet potato one this weekend since DH loves Frank's.

I'm also going to pin some mason jar salads like mommyatty metioned. Thanks for the ideas, everyone!

[rere26]

Usually some form of salad or a wrap. I buy the grill and ready chicken to save time.

[somebabiesmom]

I'm having so much trouble with your question. Nothing that is my favorite is healthy so I just can't compute...

On a serious note, what's healthy in your world? No preservatives? Low calorie? No carbs? No sugar?

[mommyatty]

Mar 23, 2017 9:15:50 GMT -5 somebabiesmom said:

I'm having so much trouble with your question. Nothing that is my favorite is healthy so I just can't compute...

On a serious note, what's healthy in your world? No preservatives? Low calorie? No carbs? No sugar?

In my world, it means no french fries involved. Or at least if there are French fries they aren't covered in cheese and bacon. Or if they are covered in cheese and bacon that I go light on the ranch dressing I dip them in. So maybe I'm not a role model for this issue? Lol.

[vvvvvfee]

I generally just bring leftovers.

If we're out of leftovers, my go-to is a cheese pita (put a couple of slices of cheddar cheese inside a whole wheat pita, microwave until melted) and a small salad or baby carrots, depending on what i have. sometimes i'll take a mini hummus cup if i have any in the fridge.

hard-boiled eggs are another good thing to have on hand- boil a dozen over the weekend. they last a week or more. you can make a quick egg salad by mashing with mayo, or cut up a couple eggs and put on top of a salad. if i have rolls or crusty bread i'll bring one and toast it at work to go with the salad.

i also freeze extra portions of leftovers in single-serving size containers. i try to make them heat and go- for instance, i portion rice and entree together, or if it's chili i freeze it with some shredded cheese on top.

if you're near a trader joe's, they have a lot of good frozen meal options. i usually have one or two things from TJoe's in the freezer at work as an additional backup.

if all else fails, i will bring a PB&J or PB and banana and fruit.

[mlee116]

Mar 23, 2017 9:15:50 GMT -5 somebabiesmom said:

I'm having so much trouble with your question. Nothing that is my favorite is healthy so I just can't compute...

On a serious note, what's healthy in your world? No preservatives? Low calorie? No carbs? No sugar?

Well, if I'm not going through a drive thru, that is already an improvement for me lol.  

I do try to stick to healthy carbs like whole wheat or starchy vegetables and limit sugar, calories, etc. Add in fruits and vegetables where I can.  I did something similar to Whole 30 and now I'm trying to continue it without being quite so restrictive.  

[somebabiesmom]

During our Whole30, MH made tuna boats, except with chicken. You shred canned chicken, mix in some ranch (homemade Whole30 compliant, if you choose) and a little chili powder, then spoon it onto leaves of baby romaine. Pretty good. I think there was avocado involved, also...

Greek yogurt has a ton of protein in it. It tastes amazing with fruit stirred in. Half a cup isn't too high calorie especially considering how filling it is.

Bacon. Bacon anything. Bacon and avocados in a lettuce wrap. Bacon-wrapped shrimp. Bacon and tomato in a lettuce wrap.

Shrimp anything. Shrimp is, like, the perfect food. You can eat as much as you want on any diet (that I know of).

Hard-boiled eggs, banana, and a 1/4 cup of yogurt is a good breakfast.

**resumes eating giant Italian sub sandwich and chocolate chip cookie**

[twinmomma]

Egg salad made with hummus instead of mayo is super easy and really good. You can eat as a sandwich, or just with some scoops or crackers.

But typically I just bring leftovers of some kind.

[Deleted]

Greek yogurt, fruit, granola. Apples and almond butter. Boiled eggs and cheese. Raw veggies and dressing. Protein bar.

I do more snacky type of lunches, emphasis on protein, but grab and go friendly.

[ss265]

I am trying to increase my fiber intake (to help with cholesterol) - some of the Amy's frozen lunches have really high fiber so I've been eating those. I also like Kashi frozen meals. I mix those up with Mason jar salads and salmon mayo sandwiches.

[mindreader]

I just love eating fish and vegetables during lunch and less rice