Lunch ideas?

iSurvive
iSurvive Posts: 91
in Food and Nutrition
I am looking for some quick and easy lunch ideas. I stay at home with my three young kids so I would still like something that is quick and easy, but still HEALTHY! Any suggestions?! I don't eat a lot of meat. Other then that I am wide open to suggestions!
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Replies

  • Christine1110
    Christine1110 Posts: 1,786 Member
    I always cook extra from the night before. That way it's ready I just have to heat it up. I don't really eat bread so no sandwiches for me.
  • smelons
    smelons Posts: 450 Member
    Soup!
  • BeautifulBetsy
    BeautifulBetsy Posts: 60 Member
    salad, everyday. add tuna, or an egg or some deli meats. Use dark green lettuses, and low calorie dressings.
  • KatFierce
    KatFierce Posts: 252 Member
    I stay home with my 2 little boys. I eat dinner leftovers, yogurt with granola and some fruit, deli meat on salads or as a wrap/sandwich, egg white or egg beaters with veggies and some cheese. Pizza, use a wrap and bake it till it gets a bit crisp, then top with veggies , sauce, and some cheese, bake to melt cheese YUM! Soup, beans, veggies, salsa, and a bit of chicken done up in a pan and topped with cheese and a dab of sour cream, eat with chips or in a tortilla or on a salad.

    Whenever I cook I make more than I need so I can freeze it and have another time. Makes life sooo much easier.
  • jamiem1102
    jamiem1102 Posts: 1,196 Member
    I like using Soft Wraps from La Tortilla (the one that's made with Olive Oil)... it's only 90 cals and has a ton of protein and fiber in it. I stuff it with whatever I have around (usually light cream cheese, tomato, cucumber, and roasted turkey) toss some grapes on the side and call it a day. Yum. Sometimes I'll do Chili, lentil soup, or chicken soup on the side if it's cold out. :)
  • Cyngen
    Cyngen Posts: 557 Member
    Avocado's are great. Since you don't do much meat, you could look up some other recipes to fit your requirements. I tend to take 1/2 an avocado, mix in kraft lite mayo with olive oil and peppercorns with about 2 ounces of chicken and some craisons for a lunch.
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    If you've got an iPhone or ipad there's an app called Green Kitchen and online it's Green Kitchen stories. It's vegetarian and healthy but some look yummy and times vary from quick to slightly longer. Might be worth a look.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    Salad or soup with protein! If I am doing soup for lunch, I make a big pot over the weekend and have enough for the whole week so I just have to heat and eat.
  • EmergencyGraphics
    EmergencyGraphics Posts: 132 Member
    Recently I've been cooking a crock pot soup on the weekends and using that for lunch during the week. Though I have to squeeze the time in on the weekends its really helped make the week a little easier.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    chopped romaine lettuce
    chunks of chicken (or not) you baked/grilled the night before
    blueberries
    strawberries
    pecans, almonds or walnuts
    mandarin oranges
    Maple farms sugar free poppyseed dressing

    lettuce
    grilled chicken or salmon (or not)
    lots of red, yellow, orange bell peppers
    mushrooms
    nuts or seeds
    carrots
    grape tomatoes
    your fav. dressing

    This is high in sodium but I love it. Palermos margharita pizza. It's a cheese pizza with tomatoes on it.390 calories for HALF of the full sized pizza. I add diced red, yellow and orange bell peppers, sometimes onion and mushrooms and or spinach

    Homemade soups.

    Omelets, or just scrambled eggs with the stuff tossed in.

    Healthy Life whole wheat bread (35 cals per slice) with whatever you like on it. I love almond butter and Planters banana granola nut peanut butter with homemade jam.

    Leftovers from last night's dinner is the easiest.

    Refrigerator oatmeal is delicious and you can make it the night before. Plus, there are a million different ways to make it.

    Tortilla pizza. Use your fav sauce or homemade, top with low fat mozz, veggies and mushrooms.

    Your homemade spaghetti sauce with whole grain pasta. One serving of pasta is 2 oz uncooked and it's a LOT. Pasta is easy to cook and the combos of sauce with veggies is unlimited. I make my own sauce to control the sodium in it. I just put it in the crockpot and let it cook all day, then I freeze them in small containers to make pizzas or pasta later. If you'd like my recipe, I'd be happy to send it to you.

    I know that these aren't the quickest or easiest when your busy, but it's usually healthier if you make your own stuff.

    Edited to delete the meals with meat, sorry I missed that. :)
  • vegasgirl36
    vegasgirl36 Posts: 37
    how about eggplant? i cut up a nice sized eggplant layer it with spagetti sauce add weight watchers shredded cheese and bake in the oven at 350 for about 45 min . you just want the egg plant to cook until its tender. its so yummy even your kids will eat it! they dont even have to know its eggplant!
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    I always cook extra from the night before. That way it's ready I just have to heat it up. I don't really eat bread so no sandwiches for me.

    This! Well, sort of. Hubby and I do all our cooking for the week on the weekend. He's a trucker and this way we can skype dinner together and actually eat the same thing. That said SOUP!!! Soup is great for lunch! All kinds of soup! Pepperjack tomato, chicken corn, chipotle butternut squash.... The possibilities are endless!
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    Leftovers are the best lunch idea ever. Easy peasy.
  • mommy1126
    mommy1126 Posts: 146 Member
    I love the Green Giant or Pictsweet veggie steamers. They sell the individual size boxes where I am at for around $1. So, they are quick, easy & cheap!
  • oOMusicBabii
    oOMusicBabii Posts: 494
    I love the Green Giant or Pictsweet veggie steamers. They sell the individual size boxes where I am at for around $1. So, they are quick, easy & cheap!
    THIS + whatever leftover chicken or meat is in the fridge.
  • aimiemims
    aimiemims Posts: 15
    My go-to lunch is a half can of black beans, half can of corn, and hot sauce. I prefer the low-sodium cans. Couldn't be easier and so tasty!
  • angelique_redhead
    angelique_redhead Posts: 782 Member
    I like lettuce wraps, sardines (yes, I know it's a fish so a type of meat), cottage cheese with olives and chopped tomatoes, an orange or apple with cheese and whole grain crackers, yogurt, cut up veggies and low calorie dressing, boiled eggs. The possibilities are endless. Good luck.
  • liesevanlingen
    liesevanlingen Posts: 508 Member
    -I have four children currently between the ages of 6 and 14, and I was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years. I know exactly where you're coming from. My life-savers were:

    --raw chopped veggies with low fat dips(carrots, peppers, celery, mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, etc) If you prep them earlier, they're very quick.
    --fresh fruits and/or fruit/veggie drinks (my kids love the SunRype or V8 fruit plus veggies juice, strawberry banana flavour).
    -macaroni and cheese, with finely chopped broccoli or cauliflower--you can get the whole grain variety of KD.
    --veggie frozen pizza--you can always sprinkle extra veggies on the top.
    --if you like to bake, replace some of the milk or water in the recipe with an equal amount of baby food pureed carrots, squash or peaches, with a little water to thin it. Works well for baking mixes as well and adds a nice "home-made flavour and a little colour. I also replace some of the white flour with wheat germ. You can add baby food carrots or squash to almost anything. eg. ,spaghetti sauce, sauce pizza sauce, meatloaf/hamburger mixtures ,mashed potatoes (add a little cheddar and call them `golden potatoes) and the previously mentioned baked goods.)
    --I got my kids to eat broccoli by telling them they could pretend to be dinosaurs eating `trees`and adding a little cheese sauce. This worked well for my 3 boys, although my daughter was and is pickier.

    Hope this helps!
  • NaturalinCO
    NaturalinCO Posts: 164 Member
    Great tips! I ALWAYS struggle with lunch ideas! I don't eat much meat either and I know it's not safe to eat tuna sandwiches every day lol, so these tips help a LOT! Especially the pasta suggestion. It's the perfect time of day to eat pasta, a large salad, a piece of fruit - filling and will give me great energy! I love MFP!!! Thanks for the post and I appreciate all the tips too!
  • fp64
    fp64 Posts: 128 Member
    salad, everyday. add tuna, or an egg or some deli meats. Use dark green lettuses, and low calorie dressings.
    yup. *sigh*
  • NaturalinCO
    NaturalinCO Posts: 164 Member
    -I have four children currently between the ages of 6 and 14, and I was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years. I know exactly where you're coming from. My life-savers were:

    --raw chopped veggies with low fat dips(carrots, peppers, celery, mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, etc) If you prep them earlier, they're very quick.
    --fresh fruits and/or fruit/veggie drinks (my kids love the SunRype or V8 fruit plus veggies juice, strawberry banana flavour).
    -macaroni and cheese, with finely chopped broccoli or cauliflower--you can get the whole grain variety of KD.
    --veggie frozen pizza--you can always sprinkle extra veggies on the top.
    --if you like to bake, replace some of the milk or water in the recipe with an equal amount of baby food pureed carrots, squash or peaches, with a little water to thin it. Works well for baking mixes as well and adds a nice "home-made flavour and a little colour. I also replace some of the white flour with wheat germ. You can add baby food carrots or squash to almost anything. eg. ,spaghetti sauce, sauce pizza sauce, meatloaf/hamburger mixtures ,mashed potatoes (add a little cheddar and call them `golden potatoes) and the previously mentioned baked goods.)
    --I got my kids to eat broccoli by telling them they could pretend to be dinosaurs eating `trees`and adding a little cheese sauce. This worked well for my 3 boys, although my daughter was and is pickier.

    Hope this helps!

    I used to buy veggies, steam them, then puree them to freeze for 'fillers' in different recipes. I feel DUMB for never considering baby food for the job! Lol! This is brilliant! Definitely going to buy some when I go shopping again!
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Burrito bowl is one of my favorite lunches!

    Black beans (or whatever sort of beans I have in the pantry)
    Rice if I've got any leftover from dinner
    Plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)
    Avocado
    Tomatoes
    Salsa
    Cheese
    Shredded lettuce
    Chips (optional)

    I'm a meat eater, so I usually toss some leftover chicken, beef or pork in there if I've got it, or I'll cook up a couple of chicken tenders for it - they thaw out and cook up quickly!

    Delicious, filling and healthy!
  • MTrevis
    MTrevis Posts: 12 Member
    I found a recipe by Dr. Fuhrman that is along the lines of this...
    1 can of black beans, drained
    1 avocado
    juice of 1 lime
    1 garlic clove
    fresh cilantro
    taco sauce or salsa
    1/2 green pepper diced

    Mix togeter and serve on leaves of romaine lettuce. It's awesome!
  • LJBaker79
    LJBaker79 Posts: 7
    I ALWAYS struggle with lunch too for some reason, so I am loving all of these ideas. Thanks everyone! Here are a few of my favorites:

    - Low-carb tortilla spread with garlic hummus and topped with broccoli slaw. Roll up and enjoy!
    - Green beans sauteed with diced tomatoes, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, topped with a little fresh Parmesan cheese.
    - Open-faced egg, Canadian bacon and cheese sandwich
    - Veggie curry soup. (Toss a bag of frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrots in a pot and cover with water or chicken stock. Cook until veggies are tender and then blend until creamy with an immersion blender. Stir in some salt, pepper and curry powder to taste. I like it with a kick!)
  • fp64
    fp64 Posts: 128 Member
    I found a recipe by Dr. Fuhrman that is along the lines of this...
    1 can of black beans, drained
    1 avocado
    juice of 1 lime
    1 garlic clove
    fresh cilantro
    taco sauce or salsa
    1/2 green pepper diced

    Mix togeter and serve on leaves of romaine lettuce. It's awesome!
    I'm borrowing this recipe. Or just call it stealing. THANKS
  • Fit_And_Heathy_Goalie
    Fit_And_Heathy_Goalie Posts: 55 Member
    I have a couple suggestions:

    Saute a lb. of 99% lean ground turkey, with chopped onions and add mexican/taco spices (cumin, garlic power, paprika, chili powder, etc). Store in the refrigerator. Add 4 ounces to prechopped romaine lettuce. Top with 2 Tbl. guacamole or avacado, reduced fat cheese blend, light sour cream, tomatoes. It's an easy, filling lunch!

    I always keep a few cans of albacore tuna or canned salmon on hand. Mix 2 ounces tuna with 2 cups broccoli slaw, light seasame or basalmic dressing (I keep one of each on hand from Trader Joes), Also mix in 2Tbl. sliced or slivered almonds. Super easy and filling, plus a good mix of veggies, good fats and protein.
  • MissNations
    MissNations Posts: 513 Member
    Smoothies are good, too, if you can keep fruit (either fresh or frozen) on hand.

    1C milk of your choice
    fruit of your choice
    maybe peanut butter
    maybe protein powder

    Whatever you want, experiment and have fun!
  • lrichardson2360
    lrichardson2360 Posts: 225 Member
    BUMP - thanks for the great ideas!
  • FitinHonau
    FitinHonau Posts: 63 Member
    Chicken & Pesto Rice

    Preparation time – 10 mins
    Cooking time – 1 hour
    Serves 4

    Ingredients
    • 4 chicken legs with skin on
    • 6oz rice
    • 500ml chicken stock
    • Half a jar of green pesto – I like the Barilla brand
    • 1 onion
    • 1 carrot
    • Mushrooms
    • 1 pepper

    Method
    1) Chop vegetables and mix with uncooked rice in an overproof dish.
    2) Place chicken legs on top
    3) Stir the pesto into the stock
    4) Pour over chicken legs, veg and rice
    5) Place on oven for 1 hour at about 190C
    6) Let it rest for 10 mins before serving

    My friend’s recipe says to brown the chicken first – a couple of minutes either side on a high heat. I tried the recipe without doing this and as we remove the skin to eat, it didn’t seem to matter that I hadn’t browned it first. The skin crisps up at the top anyway.

    It is a very easy receipe, You can make it as well withough the chicken.
  • MrsOMG
    MrsOMG Posts: 84
    Scrambled egg with skimmed milk in a corn or small tortilla with chopped spring onion and chillies is a fave in my household, can add 1/4 chopped avocado aswell to make more substantial.

    Soup also really good, large portions of mainly stock soups are very filling but low on cals - two i like making are...

    Spiced sweet potato-
    fry garlic, ginger and chilli in spray oil add spring onion
    cube one small sweet potato and stir into mixture
    then add 500ml veg or chicken stock
    put a lid on and leave until potatoes soft
    then blitz with food processor
    can serve with a swirl of no fat greek yogurt and a shaving of cheese

    Tomato soup -
    can of chopped tomatoes into pan
    add 2 tablespoons of tomato puree
    1/2 beef stock
    any seasoning - i use chiptole paste and smoked paprika and a dry italian seasoning
    simmer on hob for 10 minutes
    then blitz and serve with grating of parmesan
    =127 calories

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