6 Delicious, Healthy Lunch Ideas You Can Buy or Pack
As moms, we spend a ton of time making sure that our kids are eating nutritious foods to fuel their growing bodies, but how often do we do that for ourselves? Whether you workout outside your home or from your home - because all moms are working moms! It can be hard to get a nutritious meal for yourself in the middle of the day.
Most people aren't excited about a healthy lunch because, unfortunately, healthy lunches have a bad rap. They're seen as repetitive, flavorless and just plain boring. I'm here to tell you that healthy lunches, that taste delicious, are attainable, even for a busy mom on the go! And, better yet, you don't have to spend hours preparing them!
I'm sharing six of my favorite healthy lunch ideas that are also easy to grab anytime! Whether you want to pick something up when you’re running errands or bring it from home these lunches will make lunchtime fun and healthy!
Healthy lunch ideas you can buy
Subscribe to a meal prep company | Steak and Potatoes from Eat Fit Go
If you don't want to think about preparing a lunch, or even don't want to have to choose from endless options, a meal prep service is the way to go! There are national or local meal prep companies that you can choose from. Either way, the process is usually the same. You subscribe to have meals delivered to your home or you pick them up locally.
Most meal prep companies source healthy, organic and even gluten-free ingredients. A huge benefit to prepared meals is that they are portioned out, so you don't end up eating too much of one thing. Just make sure that whichever company you choose to get your food from fits your health and nutrition goals.
The Steak and Potatoes from Eat Fit Go is a great option. It gives you a little bit of everything. The tenderloin steaks packs a punch of protein. The roasted garlic potatoes will hit your carb craving, but won't send you overboard. Plus, you have a side of green beans to make sure you have your veggies. The small portion has 250 calories. F5 C30 P22
Grab something at a health-food grocery store | Salmon with Citrus Quinoa from Sprouts
Most grocery stores have prepared food that you can grab from the deli; however, those options aren't always healthy - I'm looking at you, fried chicken! If you want a healthy lunch from the deli, hit up health-conscious stores. Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Sprouts are all great options to grab a healthy lunch.
The Salmon with Citrus Quinoa from Sprouts is a great option if you're running out to pick up lunch. You can't go wrong when you get salmon. It's packed full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, potassium and it's a great source of protein. Healthy carbs like quinoa won't make you regret this meal. This meal also comes with carrots and kale on the side.
Healthy fast food options | Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT from Panera Bread
Fast food. It's quick, it's convenient, but let's be real, it's not healthy. When you do eat fast food, there aren't really "healthy" options, there are just options that aren't as bad. Try to choose something that is loaded with veggies, has a lean protein and isn't completely overloading you with carbs. Don't fall for fast-food salads either! By themselves, these salads are a great choice, but most dressings will crank up the calories and fats.
That being said, the Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT from Panera Bread is an OK option if you're going out with your coworkers. This will give you a couple of sources of protein and some great veggies. It’s going to be heavier in all of your macros, so just make sure you plan for a heavier lunch! Macros: F17 C25 P19
Healthy lunch ideas to bring from home
Power Protein PB&J
Nothing says lunchtime like peanut butter and jelly! However, the peanut butter is probably the only thing that is nutritious when it comes to this traditional sandwich. Most jams and jellies are packed with sugar and let's be real, white bread is just a terrible option! Instead of sticking to the classic, I came up with two recipes that let you cave to your PB&J craving without using up all your macros for the day.
If you want to be a tad more traditional you can try my Crep'n It Real PB&J. If you're willing to try something a little different, the Power Protein PB&J is for you!
The Power Protein PB&J starts with a protein-packed base of greek yogurt. I said it was different! You'll also add in some Dymatize Iso Whey 100 Peanut Butter and Almond milk. After you've mixed all of that together comes the fun part! You'll drizzle sugar-free strawberry topping and PBFit over the top. You'll get to use enough of both to enjoy the PB&J without an ounce of guilt! Macros: F2.4 C20 P36
Chicken Pasta Salad
If you're looking for a nice summer lunch, try this Chicken Pasta Salad. It’s best when served cold, so you don't need to worry about having a microwave to enjoy it. This salad is super simple to make! It starts with rainbow pasta. Then, you can either grill your own chicken or just pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store and shred it up. Now it's time for veggies, the recipe calls for green peppers and cucumbers. You can find the full instructions and ingredients here.
This salad is great as it is, or you can do a few substitutions to make it even better. Switch out the rainbow pasta for chickpea pasta and you'll still get the same feel, but with an extra serving of protein. You could also add a few more veggies into the mix. Adding a yellow, orange and green pepper will give you more variety. Shredded carrots would also be a great addition. The nice thing about this dish is that you can completely customize it to fit your tastes.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Sometimes, the most convenient lunch is, leftovers! This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a great option for dinner, then again for lunch the next day. This recipe makes 8 servings, so you can usually feed your family and still have more than enough for lunch leftovers. Here are the macros for one serving: F6 C15 P28
The great thing about this is that you can switch up how you eat it. You can have the pork on top of a salad, which is a great option for a veggie-packed lunch. If you have some extra carbs you can also have it on a bun - which is a kid-friendly option asl well. Just make sure you're choosing a whole-wheat bun that will give you more complex carbs.
You don't have to feel overwhelmed or intimidated when you're trying to find a healthy lunch. If you need more help planning lunches for yourself, then let’s chat! Schedule a free discovery call with me. I can help you create a lunch routine that will help you lose weight and enjoy your favorite foods!
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