Lunch?

I try whenever I can to make some extra protein with dinner so as to have leftover chicken, fish, or other meat to add to lunch.
I then round that out by adding something to it. Sometimes it's cottage cheese and fruit. Sometimes it's unsweetened Fage yogurt and fruit.

I sometimes make make several days worth of 'sides' to be kept in the fridge and then packed with the leftover protein to take to work for lunch.

broccoli slaw or coleslaw (vinegar based)
{ http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/North-Carolina-Coleslaw-242716
only I substitute the white vinegar + sugar with Alessi's White Balsamic vinegar which is sweet enough that no added sugar is needed)

Apple-celery-fennel slaw (quite delicious)
{ http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Celery-Apple-and-Fennel-Slaw-366451 }

Cabbage-fennel-carrot slaw
{ http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Cabbage-Fresh-Fennel-and-Carrot-Slaw-109679?mbid=epi_widget }
Less mayo, though. Greek yogurt can be used instead

In a pinch (when I don't have leftover protein)
Oven roasted deli turkey slices with romaine lettuce and some cheddar for quick "lettuce rolls"
Salmon lox (but watch out for the sodium) cream cheese (or cottage or laughing cow) on lettuce or stuffing celery stalks.

And if I'm really on the ball, I make up some sort of chicken salad or tuna salad to be kept in the fridge to be packed for a couple of days' lunches.

This idea is gold - I do the same thing!! Pre-made FRESH salads is perfect. Grill the chicken on the weekend or some evening and you have it for the week. Toss your salad in a bowl and add the chicken and eat as you go. Salad doesn't take long to eat so it's nice that you can gobble it down and not experience the "post lunch dip".

If you don't already have a George Foreman grill, get one. It's quick and easy to make grilled chicken for salads, paninis, quesadillas, wraps, breakfast burritos, grilled cheese sandwiches (for you or the kids), grilled chicken hot dogs, turkey burgers, etc. Great for quick lunches and dinners, I couldn't live without mine!
For my breakfast (or lunch or dinner) burritos I scramble one egg and one egg white (you can make scrambled eggs in the microwave too!), microwave 2 slices of turkey bacon, lay a slice of cheese on a wrap (flatout wraps are most times 90 cals) then the bacon then the scrambled egg, wrap it up and put it on the GF for about 4 minutes. Way yummy!! You can add veggies like spinach or salsa to it if you like and low fat sour cream on the side.
For paninis I like to use leftover rotiserrie chicken or low sodium sandwich meat, cheese, spinach or whatever veggies I have and grill them on the GF.
Quesadillas- same thing, flat out wrap, low fat cheese, leftover chicken/steak, maybe some onions and tomatoes.
I also like to hard boil eggs ahead of time (10 at a time) and keep them in the fridge for a quick snack or to add to salads.

Just discovered the most delicious lunch yesterday! Mix 1/4 avacado with 1 Tbsp of cream cheese. Spread on toasted bread. Add sliced cucumbers then salt and pepper if desired. Top with some deli sliced turkey (or chicken maybe). Tomato would probably be a good addition too. I ate mine open faced and loved it so much that I decided to make another one! I had 2 open faced sandwiches for 368 calories (I used sara lee 45 calorie bread). Yummy in my tummy!

You can make homemade chicken nuggets--does take time to prep though. My boys love it!

I am lovin' homemade chili lately. So are my kids. I can put in all sorts of veggies with the beans and have it exactly right. Paired with whole grain breads or reduced fat cheese/sour cream, I can make it differently day to day and not get bored.

I just have to plan it out beforehand, as beans take awhile to cook. I like to make a big pot and put it into Rubbermaid containers.

Plus side, tons of protein and it's heavy enough I'm not hungry until dinner time.

I cook up some brown rice & throw in some black beans at the beginning of the week then get the precoocked frozen tyson grilled chicken breasts to toss in each day when I leave for work. By lunch its thawed I can cut it up mix it together & toss in the microwave, Sometime I'll add some salsa. Premaking the meals makes it easy when your in a hurry.

I like baking a few sweet potatoes on the weekend and then being able to grab them during the week for lunch. If I am busy and on the go I will just eat one with my hands, nothing on it. If i can sit and enjoy it I pile it with greek yogurt or goat cheese, or greens like roasted kale and some goat cheese.

Also, a good piece of crunchy whole grain bread, toasted and then piled with avocado slices and diced tomatoes is delicious. Otherwise I like the idea of grilling chicken and having it to throw on top of some salad. I enjoy kale salads too, just dump whatever I've got on hand on top of it (cranberries, goat cheese, tomatoes, thawed frozen corn, etc).