low cal lunch ideas?

Looking foe low Cal lunch ideas besides a salad.
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Replies

  • 1 serving size Grilled Chicken Breast (I use perdue short cuts) chopped (90 cal), 4 TBSP celery chopped (4.2 cal), 1 TBSP Kraft mayo with Olive Oil (35 cal) Hidden valley Ranch Powder (1 TBPS >5 cal) mix it all up = approx 134 cal - have on 100 cal bread - 234 cal total
  • cat_g_83
    cat_g_83 Posts: 18 Member
    Soup, beans on toast, jacket potato with homemade low cal coleslaw...ummm...all inspiration is lost. X
  • Tuna salad or egg salad with carrots, snow peas, celery, broccoli, etc.
  • tuffytuffy1
    tuffytuffy1 Posts: 920 Member
    2 slices light rye (80 calories); 2 ounces lean deli meat like peppered ham (60 calories); 1 ounce Cabot 1% milk (75% reduced fat) cheddar cheese (60 calories); mustard; all the veggies you like. I do red onions, banana peppers, that sort of thing. Very low cal and yummy!
  • thanks for the great ideas! I keep looking for things that are quick to make for lunch .
  • chl823
    chl823 Posts: 48
    Just started this week. I created a chicken wrap I love, filling and good:



    La Tortilla Factory - Smart & Delicious Soft Wraps - Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Whole Grain White, 1 wrap
    Boars Head - Buffalo Chicken Breast, 2 Slices
    Tomatoes - Grape Tomatoes, 1/8 cup
    Fresh Express - Spring Mix (Baby Lettuces, Greens & Radicchio), 2 cups (85g)
    Generic - 1 Slice of Swiss Cheese
    Kraft - Mayonaise-Regular, 1 tsp
  • srm1960
    srm1960 Posts: 281 Member
    2 slices light rye (80 calories); 2 ounces lean deli meat like peppered ham (60 calories); 1 ounce Cabot 1% milk (75% reduced fat) cheddar cheese (60 calories); mustard; all the veggies you like. I do red onions, banana peppers, that sort of thing. Very low cal and yummy!
    :bigsmile:

    Where can I find that light rye??????-I haven't seen that in years-Oreweat used to make it???? But it disappeared here in So-Cal????
  • rhondawparker
    rhondawparker Posts: 26 Member
    I like the Progresso Light Soups for lunch. I get the ones that are between 120 and 140 calories for the entire can. Eat that an apple and a wedged up fresh tomato. Filling and tasty for around 200 calories.
  • djames92
    djames92 Posts: 990 Member
    cinnamon raisin bagel thin with pb2!! only about 160 calories!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Pho
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    Tacos.

    No seriously. Corn tortillas, shredded chicken, some pico de gallo, a lil avocado, throw in some cheese if ya want. Maybe a lil sour cream....

    Damn, now I'm hungry.
  • jmkmomm
    jmkmomm Posts: 3,247 Member
    I/2 cup 1% cottage cheese with 1/2 cup of fruit cup in water. Drain the water if you like. 2 slices of Healthy life 35 cal bread with 1 TBSP of peanut butter, 10 mini carrots. 340 calories. Filling, fills your plate with is important to the mental side of this, healthy
  • DeeDel32
    DeeDel32 Posts: 542 Member
    Pho

    I LOVE pho, but I'm not sure it's low cal. :smile:
  • You could make a plate of assorted foods and consider it a lunch. Maybe some cut-up fruit, cheese, nuts, veggies, deli meats, etc.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Pho

    I LOVE pho, but I'm not sure it's low cal. :smile:

    I log it as 502 cal, 31g protein, 60g carb, 7g fat for a regular Pho Tai.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    Pho

    I LOVE pho, but I'm not sure it's low cal. :smile:

    I log it as 502 cal, 31g protein, 60g carb, 7g fat for a regular Pho Tai.

    ^ I give it about that too, depending on how much meat is included, and how fatty the meat they give you seems. Also broth richness could amp up the fat a little, I suppose. But under 600, unless you're eating the most massive bowl evaaarrr.

    OP - Tuna mixed with salsa, cut a pita open and spread the inside with sun dried tomato laughing cow, or the spread of your choice, stuff it with the tuna, add vegetables if you swing that way. Comes out to something like 300 cals. Also if you are me you will be freaking starving afterwards but at least it leaves you room to eat a package of salami for your snack later. Which is very important. *nodnodnod*
  • Pho
    what is pho? I've never heard of it.
  • SophinMaine
    SophinMaine Posts: 48 Member
    Never heard of "Pho" either!

    My typical lunch:

    1/2 a grapefruit, cut, that I eat with a spoon (makes it harder, so takes longer to eat) - 41 cal
    1 cup soup (usually, Pacific ) - about 160 cal depending on type of soup
    1 Activia light yogurt - 60 cal
    1 medium size apple - 72 cal
    6 pieces of Green & Black 70% dark chocolate with my (black) coffee. - 120 cal

    Not so low cal, I realize, but my dinner isn't much higher in calories, usually. Keeps me full much longer than eating just soup and some raw carrots.
  • stacyleigh04
    stacyleigh04 Posts: 2 Member
    http://www.ourbestbites.com/2013/01/veggie-packed-minestrone-soup/
    Making this today and planning on freezing some for lunches. It's 250 calories for 1.5 cups and packed with good stuff!
  • R_Bedard
    R_Bedard Posts: 94 Member
    Toasted tomato sandwich (Multigrain bread, tomato, fat free mayo)
    Toasted tuna sandwich (Multigrain bread, fat free mayo, tuna packed in water not oil)
    Chunky Salsa on original rice cakes
    Chicken mexican salad (lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers, chicken breast, topped with salsa and fat free sour cream)

    I know some people are not big on fat free stuff, but we all have our opinions.

    I always add things such as apples, nectarines, peaches, celery, berries, carrots, to my lunches as well.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    Pho is a vietnamese noodle soup. Its beef stock, rice noodles, and the 'tai' is sliced steak. Other varieties exist but that is the most commonly and widely eaten version in the US.
  • My low cal lunch has saved me! Everyday I would have big carby lunches, feel full and gross all day and put on weight regardless of how healthy I was during the rest of the day! I have lost 7kgs since kicking energy drinks (even diet ones! They clog up your liver) and having this lunch most days:

    I have:
    A small tub of Natural yoghurt (about 100g) I have found that the Farmers Union Natural Yoghurt European Style is only about 75 calories, but all brands are good.
    A handful or so of blueberries
    A banana chopped up.

    That comes to about 150 cals. Not only does it have protein from the banana and the blueberries are very good for you, but the yoghurt is full of probiotics that makes sure your digestion is running smoothly.

    That way you can have a serve of meat and a great salad for dinner! Also you can snack during the day because you have plenty of spare calories.
    If you couldn't bear the thought of something sweet at lunch, Ryvita and tuna is a good one :)
  • Toasted tomato sandwich (Multigrain bread, tomato, fat free mayo)
    Toasted tuna sandwich (Multigrain bread, fat free mayo, tuna packed in water not oil)
    Chunky Salsa on original rice cakes
    Chicken mexican salad (lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers, chicken breast, topped with salsa and fat free sour cream)

    I know some people are not big on fat free stuff, but we all have our opinions.

    I always add things such as apples, nectarines, peaches, celery, berries, carrots, to my lunches as well.

    I don't see the difference in fat free . a lot of the things I buy are usually fat free and taste the same .
  • I don't understand - how can mayonnaise be fat free and still be mayonnaise? Mayonnaise is egg yolk and oil by definition... I can imagine substitutions for the egg, but the oil? When you substitute everything in the original recipe, at what point do you stop calling it mayonnaise?

    I seriously am not able to understand this right now.
  • snivvy
    snivvy Posts: 21 Member
    Heinz Soup (UK) Pea and Ham is 222cals for the who;le 400g tin. Very filling. It's not great on the sodium and sugars, as of most processed soups. But it is great for convenience if you lead a busy lifestyle.

    Home-made muesli, 1 cup of mix of oats and bran, add 1/2 chopped banana and a few sultanas or other dried fruit. Add almond milk

    I usually have either of these, followed by an apple and a yoghurt.
  • I like using Healthy Life Multigrain English muffin 80 cals;
    either do one of the Gorton's grilled or butter and garlic fish filets 80 cals; (they can be nuked)

    with sweet and hot mustard (10 cals per tsp) or
    salsa (10 cals per 2 Tbsp)

    Optional Lettuce (pretty much a freebie)
    Slice of tomato (pretty much a freebie)
    Onion (pretty much a freebie)

    Mix n' match.

    Total you are looking at a lunch under 200 cals.

    The fish can also be broken up and put on a salad...just watch your dressing carefully. I like Basalmic Vinegar 10 cals per tsp.
  • Pho

    I LOVE pho, but I'm not sure it's low cal. :smile:

    It may not be, but then you get so much of it. I will eat half and take half home for another meal. I looked into making it myself and the broth looks very work intensive. If I could/would break down and do it myself, I'd use the shiritaki noodles. I'm sure it is the noodles that rack up all the calories.
  • red8424
    red8424 Posts: 160 Member
    I you are looking for a low cal version of spicy hot wings try this: 3 oz sliced chicken from the deli (i like sara lee golden chicken breast) splashed with hot sauce (I use Tapatio picante). Serve with a side of sliced cucumberand and strawberries for dessert. >100 calories!
  • chamorita79
    chamorita79 Posts: 35 Member
    !I like blt's. I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon. 1 tsp of honey mustard or if you prefer mayo a light mayo of some sort on 2 peices of orowheat 100 percent wheat bread with lettuce and tomato....yumm
  • 1.) 35 cal slice of toast w/ peanut butter, almonds, and banana on top- baby carrots, a cutie, and 50 cal string cheese

    2.) Ham & laughing cow spreadable swiss on 80 cal healthy life english muffin w/ lettuce & tomato- baby carrots & light ranch

    3.) 2 natural egg whites w/ a tbs of natural bacon bits & 1/4 cup fat free moz cheese- toast or eng muffin- or small portion of oatmeal

    4.) Healthy life 80 cal english muffin w/ 3 tbs canned marinara sauce, 1/4 cup fat free moz cheese, canned pineapple, veggies, and bacon bits on top (bake or microwave) for a healthy quick pizza...Also avacado is good on it.

    5.) 100 cal microwave popcorn, 50 cal string cheese, 1/2 peanbutter & banana sandwhich (great one for on the go)

    6.) Oikos fruit at the bottom greek yogurt, baby carrots, pita chips or pretzels, and a cutie (also great for on the go)

    There a bunch of my go-to lunches.