Looking for some vegetarian lunch ideas

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aliceg94
aliceg94 Posts: 61 Member
A month ago I turned vegetarian so I'm looking for some reasonably low calorie lunches (Anything 400 or below would be good.) Recently I've been eating couscous and a variety of veg, or some form of eggs with some veg on the side but I'm getting a bit bored of this. They don't necessarily have to be quick to make or able to eat on the go because I'm usually at home for lunch. Thanks in advance :)
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Replies

  • kabarnes45
    kabarnes45 Posts: 89 Member
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    I eat a lot of pre-made salad kits from the grocery at lunch because they are easy. Amy's makes some pretty good frozen meals under 400cals- try the fake meatloaf- yummy comfort food, but watch out for too much sodium. Also check out frozen Indian foods- there are usually some good veg options for something different.
  • DizzyLinds
    DizzyLinds Posts: 856 Member
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    Greek salad
  • talk2elles
    talk2elles Posts: 124 Member
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    I went the other way: I was vegetarian but not any longer. Here are some of my favourites though:

    Spicy tomato and lentil soup - 1 onion, sautéed with chilli and garlic. Add two cartons/cans of chopped tomatoes, 50-100g of red lentils and 1 pint of stock (I use liquid chicken stock now but original recipe was with vegetable stock). Simmer until lentils are cooked then serve with freshly chopped basil. I usually add celery and peppers too so feel free to mix it up.
    147kcal per large bowl

    Courgette/zucchini, red onion and carrot 'quiche' - this is actually an oven baked omelette! Grate 3 medium sized carrots into a large Pyrex dish. Cut the courgette/zucchini into 3 pieces then use a mandolin on the firm and outer parts of the courgette/zucchini. Finely chop one red onion. Place all items into the Pyrex dish and mix. Beat 6-8 eggs, add spices of your choice (I add a pinch of cayenne pepper, sage, rosemary and salt but it is also tasty with curry powder too) then pour over the veggies and put in the oven at 180'C for 20-40minutes depending on how well cooked you like your omelette/'quiche'
    234kcal per 1/4 when made with 10eggs

    ETA calories
  • talk2elles
    talk2elles Posts: 124 Member
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    My daughter (7) her favourite snack at the moment is courgette/zucchini slices (1cm deep) topped with Garlic Philadelphia (ETA it's a soft cheese), golden sultanas/currants and pine nuts...they are really moreish!
  • talk2elles
    talk2elles Posts: 124 Member
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    Do you eat Quorn/soya/tofu or just veggies, fruits, grains, seeds and nuts?
  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
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    I'm not a full vegetarian, but I don't eat meat too much nowadays and I started trying different veggie dishes for lunch since the sodium for my normal lunches was through the roof. My favorite is a tofu wrap. I cut up extra firm tofu into strips and marinade them in:
    1 1/2 cups Chicken Stock (made from Better Than Bullion Vegetarian Chicken Base)
    1/2 cup Grapeseed Oil
    Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon
    1 tsp Dijon Mustard
    1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
    2 chopped Garlic Cloves
    Salt and Pepper
    I let it sit over night (and sometimes just keep it in the marinade and take it out when I need it), and then fry it up in a cast iron skillet until it's nice and golden on all sides. Then I put it in a spinach tortilla wrap with some swiss or mozz cheese, warm it up in the microwave for about 20 seconds, add some mayo or avocado, wrap it up and eat it. It's DELICIOUS. Tastes like a garlic chicken wrap and the hint of dijon really gives it depth. The cooked tofu keeps in the fridge for a week too. It's cheap easy and yummy.
  • aliceg94
    aliceg94 Posts: 61 Member
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    Do you eat Quorn/soya/tofu or just veggies, fruits, grains, seeds and nuts?

    Yes, I do eat quorn, soya and tofu products :)
  • aliceg94
    aliceg94 Posts: 61 Member
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    Some great recipes and ideas here. Thanks!
  • askeates
    askeates Posts: 1,490 Member
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    I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch (I love meats), however, my Aunt and Uncle are and they do a lot of seafood... obviously you're not vegan if you are eating eggs and dairy, but are you eating seafood of any kind?

    A fish and veggie wrap is one of their favs. Get the sundried tomato or spinach shells, then add grilled tuna or rockfish, goat or feta cheese, peppers, onions and tomato. It can all be done ahead of time, and can be on the go, or if you get to be home for lunch can all be prepared quickly and easily right then as well. You get many of your macro's in this mix.
  • nomoredoughnuts
    nomoredoughnuts Posts: 130 Member
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    Here's what I eat (I used to be vegetarian but I'm anaemic but I still eat vegetarian/vegan most of the day)

    -Broccoli Baked Potatoes (so yummy) http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12689/broccoli-baked-potatoes

    -Greek Lentil soup (amazingly nutritious)

    -Veggie wrap with cheese / hummus

    -Falafel wrap with hummus or tzatziki

    -Lentil Chilli [url] http://blog.naturebox.com/post/44544908858/sweet-potato-lentil-chili [/url]

    -Jacket Potato & Beans / Jacket sweet potato

    -sweet potato

    -Greek Bean Soup

    -Gigantes plaki http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12229/gigantes-plaki

    -Caprese Salad

    -Peanut Butter/Nut Butter & Jelly Sandwich (or fruit instead of jelly)

    -Oat cakes & nut butters + fruit

    -Steamed Veg Salad

    -Tofu Stir Fries

    - Tofu Don

    -Glamorgan sausages (vegetarian) with salad/steamed veg

    -MIni Veg. Pizzas [url] http://doughnutsnomore.tumblr.com/post/41020294079/healthy-mini-vegetarian-pizzas[/url]

    -Fruit/veg + Milk/Nut Milk/Soy + Nut Butter Smoothies

    -Asparagus bake with tomato sauce and cheddar

    -Pasta Salad

    -Feta Cheese and vegetable medley bake


    I'm half greek, in case you didn't know by now. hehe We have loads of vegetarian dishes!

    Here's my blog for ideas and some of the recipes
    http://doughnutsnomore.tumblr.com/

    Here are some other blogs with vegan/vegetarian recipes

    http://www.veganexplosion.com/
    http://theveganstoner.com/
    http://veganchicksrock.blogspot.co.uk/2008/03/lentil-chili.html
    http://veganmenu.blogspot.co.uk/

    (they might be vegan but you can always add dairy)
  • pocketmole
    pocketmole Posts: 614 Member
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    I have an open gallery and I make lunch at home a lot. Usually I'm a fan of sandwiches (I seriously love me some sammiches) and salads, but sometimes I will cook up some seitan with broccoli, make personal pizzas on store bought flat bread, or have a shake/smoothie. Sandwiches and salads are definitely the big one for me and I vary up the styles quite a bit. I do anything from a vegetarian BLT to a mozzarella basil panini or a caprese salad to a taco salad. When I make sandwiches I will often do a half sandwich and eat it with a side of fruit or veggies with hummus.
  • xoxsashaxox
    xoxsashaxox Posts: 23 Member
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    I like making cold shredded carrot salad. Basically you shred about a cup of carrot, 1/4 cup of rasins, 1teaspoon of cinnamon, and about a teaspoon of the oil you prefer such as avacado oil or olive oil. Its low calorie and tasty! Another vegetarian fave for me is an open face grilled red pepper and zucchini sandwich. You grill one slice of your favourite whole grain bread, add 1 tbs of taziki, 1/4 grilled red pepper, half of a sliced grilled zucchini cut lenthwise, and one tbs of goats cheese to top it off. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • rtjenny
    rtjenny Posts: 51
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    Have a look at this website - http://www.moretomushrooms.com/

    Happy Eating
  • aliceg94
    aliceg94 Posts: 61 Member
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    Thanks for all these! I added quite a few of them to my shopping list for tomorrow :)
  • epie2098
    epie2098 Posts: 224 Member
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    I blog my vegetarian bento lunches: http:veggiebentolove.wordpress.com. The blog isn't monetized, so I don't make a cent from your click. Most of my bentos come in at 350-400ish calories, and I often feature snacks, too. I hope it gives you some ideas :)
  • loriamcq
    loriamcq Posts: 64
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    I'm not a vegetarian, but this is a salad I made yesterday and had leftovers today.

    1c pearled farro (can also use pearled couscous)
    2 diced cucumbers - seeds removed
    2 diced roma tomatoes
    1/4 c diced red onion
    2 tbs lemon juice
    1 tbs olive oil
    Fresh herbs to taste (basil, oregeno, parsley) (I used dried, but fresh would be better)
    I added feta cheese, but it's not a necessary ingredient.

    Cook the farro, let cool. Add the rest and just mix it up. Very tasty.
  • blah2989
    blah2989 Posts: 338 Member
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    i can think of a good side beet chips. good for you and easy. grab a beet or two, wash em, slice them thin. 350 degree oven for about 20 to 30 min. add seasoning before baking. soooooo much better than kale chips. oh and you will want to flip them half way through. they will be golden brown and of course purple.
  • claudiakendall98
    claudiakendall98 Posts: 242 Member
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    I am making this dish right now and it is yummy for breakfast or lunch.
    Leek quiche
    3 lg eggs
    1 cup low fat milk
    low fat sharp cheddar cheese 7 ounces
    1 stalk leeks cleaned and chopped sauteed in 1 tbs butter

    layer 5 ounces of cheese in pie dish
    layer softened leeks over cheese
    add eggs and milk mixed
    add rest of cheese and bake at 350 degree for 30 minutes
  • claudiakendall98
    claudiakendall98 Posts: 242 Member
    Options
    I am making this dish right now and it is yummy for breakfast or lunch.
    Leek quiche
    3 lg eggs
    1 cup low fat milk
    low fat sharp cheddar cheese 7 ounces
    1 stalk leeks cleaned and chopped sauteed in 1 tbs butter

    layer 5 ounces of cheese in pie dish
    layer softened leeks over cheese
    add eggs and milk mixed
    add rest of cheese and bake at 350 degree for 30 minutes 194 calories per 1/4 pie