Hot, Healthy, Lunch?

AlexisT413
AlexisT413 Posts: 10
in Food and Nutrition
Hi,

So, I'm trying to eat a healthy lunch that will fill me up. The hard part is that I do not eat dairy or eggs. I really like hot food, and I feel like it satisfies me more than a salad or cold tuna. Can someone offer healthy and tasty options?

Thanks

Replies

  • rednose83
    rednose83 Posts: 20 Member
    I like Amy's burritos.
  • portpaw
    portpaw Posts: 19 Member
    I find that chili fills me up. It's my go-to lunch when I'm out and about.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Leftovers - just make a little extra dinner and have it for lunch.

    Stews, chilis and soups are also hot and filling and easy for lunch.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    latest kick is Costco's frozen Turkey Meatballs. Their just good, easy to heat up, tastes good without a lot of added salt.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Turkey chili if I'm being good. Mac n Cheese if I'm misbehaving :wink:
  • hotjodels
    hotjodels Posts: 118 Member
    Leftovers - just make a little extra dinner and have it for lunch.

    Stews, chilis and soups are also hot and filling and easy for lunch.

    I agree with this. I love heating up leftovers for lunch the next day.
  • live_your_dreams
    live_your_dreams Posts: 13 Member
    I love eating stir fry's at work for lunch. Mostly vegetable stir fry's over 30g of cooked brown rice (approx 110 cal) You can add lean meat for added protein.


    Advice though is to eat a hearty breakfast, like oatmeal. And make sure you have your morning snack, it'll help you be satisfied with your lunch.
  • Nicgianni1
    Nicgianni1 Posts: 13
    I have to agree with the leftovers. A lot of times, they taste better the next day.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Chili. I could eat it every day.
  • AlexisT413
    AlexisT413 Posts: 10
    I like turkey chili. If you don't mind, what all do you put in it? I used to put ground turkey, a can of tomato sauce, a pack of chili seasoning, pinto beans, and red kidney beans. I'm not sure if that's the way to go.
  • climbing_trees
    climbing_trees Posts: 726 Member
    Oatmeal! Not just for breakfast :P super filling and very customizable, you can mix just about anything in there. sweet, savory, spicy... fruits, nuts, milk, bacon, the sky is the limit. I really love oatmeal *^__^* haha

    Sometimes I eat scrambled eggs/omelettes for lunch too. (Since you don't eat eggs, tofu makes a great sub!) Spinach, tomatoes, beans, onions, spices, hot sauce... yum!
  • FrontBoard
    FrontBoard Posts: 15
    Amy's bowls that are vegan. I really like the black eyed pea one. Also try the quinoa or spaghetti italiano.

    Vegan tamales. Beans. Rice.

    For heartier chili you can bulk it up with more veggies too. Try adding eggplant or some zucchini.
  • ktsimons
    ktsimons Posts: 294 Member
    I grill a portion of chicken breast, a few hamburgers (very lean), and chicken sausage every weekend. Then I will make at least 3 kinds of veg. Roasted cabbage - zuchinni with tomatoes and onions - cauliflour, broccoli and onions, roasted with olive oil, garlic, & balsamic vinegar after it came out of the oven. THEN...I section the veg out in 2 cup containers and the protein into 4 oz ziplocs. Every morning I pick what I want for the day off my "shelf" in the fridge. The small amount of variety keeps it interesting, and not having to think about lunch at 7am is a blessing!! You can do whatever combinations you think will re-heat well - and you will learn what doesn't work, too...like I love turkey burgers, but not re-heated.
  • avskk
    avskk Posts: 1,787 Member
    I like to cook up some lentils with strong seasoning, sauté some mushrooms and spinach with garlic and more seasoning, and combine everything into a big bowl of deliciousness. Another favorite is spaghetti squash (you can roast it ahead and then just microwave to get it hot if time is an issue) tossed with my favorite red sauce, with a veggie burger on the side. A big plate of steamed broccoli & cauliflower tossed with tuna or salmon flakes and topped with sriracha is also delicious. Oh, and sliced chicken sausage sautéed with thick mushroom slices and served over either hot grains (quinoa, wild rice, couscous) or a big salad is really satisfying too!
  • rosemary98
    rosemary98 Posts: 632
    something very easy: soup. I buy "no salt added" soup. very low in sodium. I then add extra water to make it more filling and throw in a few extras (maybe some tomatoes, peas, carrots...even some meat). low calorie, warm, nutritious.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I like turkey chili. If you don't mind, what all do you put in it? I used to put ground turkey, a can of tomato sauce, a pack of chili seasoning, pinto beans, and red kidney beans. I'm not sure if that's the way to go.

    That sounds healthy and filling! You could add chopped onion, garlic, celery or whatever if you wanted. But what you listed above sounds good. Plenty of protein and fiber and other nutrients.
  • AlexisT413
    AlexisT413 Posts: 10
    THEN...I section the veg out in 2 cup containers and the protein into 4 oz ziplocs. Every morning I pick what I want for the day off my "shelf" in the fridge.

    I love this idea. Most of the time, the reason I go for fast food or something quick and unhealthy is because I'm too hungry or lazy to cook. Having things already made, packaged, and ready sounds like it will help with eating healthier and better portions.

    Thank you
  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    I agree with leftovers or soups. If ready made make it easier for you, it doesn't take much effort to throw together a pot of soup on Sunday and portion it out into 5 or 6 containers for the week. You can always supplement it with anything you want on the side if you feel like it's not enough.

    Chili is great (I do ground beef or turkey, onions, garlic, diced peppers - whatever color - to up the veggie content, red kidney beans, and a large can/jar of diced tomatoes, and then season to taste w/ salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and cayenne pepper). Or, I do chicken soup a lot, and there's SO many different things you can do. Roast off some boneless/skinless breasts (or get a rotisserie chicken from the store), shred or dice them. Have a box of reduced sodium/fat free chicken broth on hand. Then - saute whatever veggies you feel like in a bit of olive oil (onions, garlic, peppers, carrots, celery, root veggies, whatever you want), then once they're soft throw in the chicken and broth and season with whatever you like, and simmer for awhile. If you want to add beans or greens, do it towards the end; if you want to add noodles or rice, cook it separately and just add it to the containers when you pack it up. Done. TONS of options, super easy, and pretty healthy.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    Leftovers - just make a little extra dinner and have it for lunch.

    Stews, chilis and soups are also hot and filling and easy for lunch.

    This is the best answer............... can't fathom eating and then heating frozen, packaged stuff............gross.
  • rosemary98
    rosemary98 Posts: 632
    I agree with leftovers or soups. If ready made make it easier for you, it doesn't take much effort to throw together a pot of soup on Sunday and portion it out into 5 or 6 containers for the week. You can always supplement it with anything you want on the side if you feel like it's not enough.

    Chili is great (I do ground beef or turkey, onions, garlic, diced peppers - whatever color - to up the veggie content, red kidney beans, and a large can/jar of diced tomatoes, and then season to taste w/ salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and cayenne pepper). Or, I do chicken soup a lot, and there's SO many different things you can do. Roast off some boneless/skinless breasts (or get a rotisserie chicken from the store), shred or dice them. Have a box of reduced sodium/fat free chicken broth on hand. Then - saute whatever veggies you feel like in a bit of olive oil (onions, garlic, peppers, carrots, celery, root veggies, whatever you want), then once they're soft throw in the chicken and broth and season with whatever you like, and simmer for awhile. If you want to add beans or greens, do it towards the end; if you want to add noodles or rice, cook it separately and just add it to the containers when you pack it up. Done. TONS of options, super easy, and pretty healthy.

    I really want chili now. my problem is...i love it so much, i can't stay away from it!
  • BarbieAS
    BarbieAS Posts: 1,414 Member
    I agree with leftovers or soups. If ready made make it easier for you, it doesn't take much effort to throw together a pot of soup on Sunday and portion it out into 5 or 6 containers for the week. You can always supplement it with anything you want on the side if you feel like it's not enough.

    Chili is great (I do ground beef or turkey, onions, garlic, diced peppers - whatever color - to up the veggie content, red kidney beans, and a large can/jar of diced tomatoes, and then season to taste w/ salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and cayenne pepper). Or, I do chicken soup a lot, and there's SO many different things you can do. Roast off some boneless/skinless breasts (or get a rotisserie chicken from the store), shred or dice them. Have a box of reduced sodium/fat free chicken broth on hand. Then - saute whatever veggies you feel like in a bit of olive oil (onions, garlic, peppers, carrots, celery, root veggies, whatever you want), then once they're soft throw in the chicken and broth and season with whatever you like, and simmer for awhile. If you want to add beans or greens, do it towards the end; if you want to add noodles or rice, cook it separately and just add it to the containers when you pack it up. Done. TONS of options, super easy, and pretty healthy.

    I really want chili now. my problem is...i love it so much, i can't stay away from it!

    No need, lol! I don't think so, anyway. If you drain the meat (heh...sorry, I'm a 12 year old boy at heart :laugh: ) - which I prefer just from a taste perspective - and don't go overboard on toppings, chili packs an amazing nutritional punch! Super high in protein, high fiber from the beans, lots of vitamins and minerals from the tomatoes and other veggies, and really filling...I like to add just a touch of sour cream and cheese and then some avocado for healthy fats. It seriously could be one of the more perfect balanced meals (in one bowl)! Lol, now *I* want chili! :smile:
  • crash_aly
    crash_aly Posts: 112
    Something really easy that I enjoy is ground turkey (seasoned usually with a little pepper and garlic salt) in a bowl with salsa or brown rice! Occasionally I will add some cheese instead of salsa (pepperjack or swiss usually). So yummy and easy! I generally brown a lb or two of lean turkey and then just incorporate it into different meals throughout the week! I do drain the turkey after browning.
  • rachelkharr
    rachelkharr Posts: 14
    I make a really good burrito-like wrap. I cook diced bell peppers, onions, and chicken in a pan with tbsp of olive oil, put it in a wheat tortilla wrap with black beans and brown rice (fiber, which keeps me full), along with salsa, maybe spread some hummus on the tortilla, chilli pepper, and cumin, then roll it up. Wrap it with foil to keep the tortilla from getting hard. Then for lunch time heat it up in the microwave and eat it with a tbsp of plain greek yogurt (tastes JUST like sour cream).
    It's SO delicious! keeps you full and depending on how you make it, its between 400-500 calories. :)
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I like turkey chili. If you don't mind, what all do you put in it? I used to put ground turkey, a can of tomato sauce, a pack of chili seasoning, pinto beans, and red kidney beans. I'm not sure if that's the way to go.

    All of your stuff, plus a can (or 2) of diced tomatoes, a diced onion, and a few shakes of cayanne. Sometimes I also add diced sweet potato and a little cinnamon. It's awesome!
  • ailixia
    ailixia Posts: 23 Member
    I just made this - and it was great!
    http://veganyumminess.com/veggie-tofu-scramble/

    You can adjust it however you want, add some extra veggies, or meat if you want. Eat it on a whole wheat tortilla or with some multi grain crackers!
  • AlexisT413
    AlexisT413 Posts: 10
    Oatmeal! Not just for breakfast :P super filling and very customizable, you can mix just about anything in there. sweet, savory, spicy... fruits, nuts, milk, bacon, the sky is the limit. I really love oatmeal *^__^* haha

    I used to hate oatmeal for years because I remember there being something squishy in it about 12-15 years ago. Yeah.. I'm picky like that. Now I realize it was little apples in the cinnamon apple pack. My bf convinced me to give it another try a few weeks ago, and I'm hooked! I never used to eat breakfast, and now I'm excited for my morning meal! Cinnamon is my favorite!

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