Non-sandwich lunch ideas

Seraph1120
Seraph1120 Posts: 194 Member
edited October 19 in Food and Nutrition
What are some healthier options for taking to work for lunch? I'm so used to throwing a sandwich together, but tired of bread. My fallback is almost always a can of soup, but the sodium is insane. Not to mention crackers. In need of other options. I've been making a salad this week, but that gets old quick. Any ideas for healthy meals to alternate?

Replies

  • I_get_fit
    I_get_fit Posts: 145 Member
    leftovers!!!
    hummus veggie wraps
    tuna & crackers
    couscous or quinoa salad with feta cheese, basil, tomatoes, olives and chickpeas with light dressing.

    more ideas: http://pinterest.com/search/?q=lunch+ideas
  • lizc_87
    lizc_87 Posts: 45
    I am having the same problem so it's nice to know I'm not in a boat alone. I use to do Healthy Choice Fresh Mixer (heavily processed and high in sodium) and I did frozen dinners. I've done salad and it go boring VERY quickly.

    I'm thinking a good lunch would be; fruit, granola bar, and chicken salad.

    I will definitely be coming back to this to see what's submitted.
  • kittyloo123
    kittyloo123 Posts: 300 Member
    what about dinner leftovers. i like cold veggies (broc, cauli, brussells) with some hummus or greek yogert on them. a piece of fruit, and i'm pretty happy.
  • pratod
    pratod Posts: 68 Member
    Make brown rice with steamed or roasted veggies the night before (or at the start of the week) and bring it in tupperware. Same with whole wheat noodles!
  • kayleen_longworth
    kayleen_longworth Posts: 147 Member
    I usually try to take some leftovers from dinner the night before if possible assuming you have access to a microwave. Green smoothies as a meal replacement work too (liquid salad) - need good cooler or refrigerator.
  • hailzp
    hailzp Posts: 903 Member
    Cold pasta.
    Homemade soup with low sodium
    Salad Wrap with any filling
    Jacket potato (sweet or white)
    Lettuce wraps
    Chopped vegetables with hummus or some sort of low cal dip
    Couscous salad

    Cant think of anything else at the minute
  • Tdk4685
    Tdk4685 Posts: 293 Member
    I usually left overs from the night before and lots of salads. Or put the stuff you would have used in the sandwich into a salad.
  • mrschappet
    mrschappet Posts: 488 Member
    tuna, brown rice , broccoli, carrots and green onion....add your fav. asian seasonings
  • SBelle83
    SBelle83 Posts: 18 Member
    Lean Cuisine meals are good for lunches.
  • kylakesgal
    kylakesgal Posts: 952 Member
    I usually just make extra for dinner the night before so I'll have leftovers for lunch. I also make my own soups to avoid the high sodium canned soups. I'll freeze leftovers into individual servings for a "grab on the go" lunch. I also pack lots of healthy fresh fruits and veggies to munch on too. Hope this helps and good luck to you:)
  • MrsDrake678
    MrsDrake678 Posts: 90 Member
    I recommend getting the hungry girl 300 under 300 cookbook. (I'm a bit obsessed with it right now) There is a recipe for lasagna cupcakes 165 cals a piece and really really good. One batch makes 12 cupcakes. Also there is a recipe for cheeseburger mac attack or chicken pot pie pockets made with eggroll wrappers. I also made pizza pockets for 141 cals a piece using egg roll wrappers and all taste great reheated! I like a hot lunch myself and these have been working great for me.
  • beccadaniixox
    beccadaniixox Posts: 542 Member
    Maybe make chili or a homemade soup! :)
    That's what my mom does for lunch.
  • jalysia
    jalysia Posts: 43
    I have been eating a piece of fresh fruit and a michelina's lean gourmet microwave meal. They are tasty and filling to me!
  • johnkernmusic
    johnkernmusic Posts: 91 Member
    An omelet and some cottage cheese would work or use whole wheat pita bread rather than normal bread. Another idea is use lettuce leafs as a wrap.
  • EuroDriver12
    EuroDriver12 Posts: 805 Member
    my favorite :P

    chicken breast
    calfornia style mixed veggies

    round 350cals 40g protein n low carb....
  • rebeccawalker1982
    rebeccawalker1982 Posts: 117 Member
    The 2nd site is actually ideas for healthy kid lunches and the 1st one is a great way to make all your lunches for the week in one day. Pinterest is a great place to find healthy food ideas.....and other fun stuff.

    http://www.bigredkitchen.com/2011/07/how-to-make-mason-jar-meals-part-1.html

    http://www.easylunchboxes.com/
  • DizzieLittleLifter
    DizzieLittleLifter Posts: 1,020 Member
    Another fan for the left overs team! I hate most sandwiches, so I usually have left overs. If that isn't available I'll have hummus and veggies and triscuits, or some sort of soy product (soy nuggets). I LOVE tuna and will eat a whole can with just a fork nom nom nom :)
  • JoyBellz
    JoyBellz Posts: 108 Member
    I like to make a salad with spring mix lettuce, tomato, carrots, and cucumber and then cube a chicken breast and put that on top for protein. Then you can use whatever salad dressing you choose. Very good and filling. I also like to brown hamburger (90/10) with onion, garlic powder and Mrs. Dash Table Blend seasoning, saute some stir fry veggies in a separate pan and then mix them together. Very healthy and again, filling. Of course, I cook it the night before so all I have to do is heat it up on my lunch break.
  • bulletprooff
    bulletprooff Posts: 77
    Wheat/Spinache wraps, hummus (you can add chicken, turkey, roast beef), baby carrots, cucumber slices and yogurt
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    I have proats for lunch everyday.
  • AudraG4vet
    AudraG4vet Posts: 8
    I know of a Russian recipe my roommate taught me our first semester in college. (She's from Russia, so, yeah, it is literally Russian.) But it's a rice salad - 1/2 cup white rice, 1 mini can clams or shrimp, and a mini can of corn, cooked in a diluted broth solution (like, 15-20% broth in water), cook it all together until the rice is soft. Serve it with a spoon (or two) of mayonnaise or your favorite dressing. It's good hot or cold! The proportions I listed above give me a whole meal's worth. :)
  • Seraph1120
    Seraph1120 Posts: 194 Member
    Yeah, I try to make leftovers whenever I can too. But we tend to have heavy dinner meals which aren't always healthy. Like spaghetti. I feel like a mess after eating such a heavy lunch and then going back to my desk to sit for 4+ hrs. I'm trying to limit those and sneak in healthier, more satisfying options. Thanks for all the Great ideas so far! I'll have to take a look at those sites too and make up a meal plan! =)
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    I recommend making homemade soup. Lentil soup is super easy. Here are 3 methods
    1. lentil and sausage soup: Brown some chopped sausage, anyone works, in about a 1 tablespoon of oil. Once it is brown, sautee onions, carrots, celery, bell pepers with the oil and drippings.. Onions are required, the rest is optional. Add some spices: cumin, thyme, rosemary, chili powder, chili flakes, whatever you like. This is a good time to add garlic. Add in 2 cups of dried lentils (i use green as they hold their shape well), a can of diced tomatoes and about 3 cups of broth or water. Add salt and pepper to taste, you won't need much salt since sausage is salty. Simmer for about 45 minutes, until the lentils are done and it looks a little thicker. A few options: add some brown rice or barely after about 20 minutes. Add some chard, spinach or other green after about 35 minutes.
    2. curried red lentils with sweet potato or squash. Follow the instructions above but omit the sausage, celery and carrots. Use some curry powder, ginger and maybe some cayenne if you like it spicier. After 10 minutes have passed, add in the squash or sweet potato. This will be done in about 20-30 minutes.
    3. Basic lentils. sautee an onion in some oil (or a slice of bacon), add a bay leaf and thyme and maybe even cumin. Add water or broth and cook as usual for about 45 minutes. Use these lentils as a base for a salad. Add to pasta salad or quinoa with chopped veggies and herbs in a vinaigrette.

    These all keep well in the freezer, so make a huge pot and portion out into individual portions. THen you can grab ont to bring to work when you have nothing to bring. :)

    I like to make salad at lunch. I mixe cooked or raw veggies, a protein, maybe a grain or some beans, and make a different sort of vinaigrette for each salad. Mustard vinaigrette or orange or lemon or even soy depending on my pairings.

    I also like to do a combo of protein, veggies and beans or lentils for a super filling lunch.
  • Seraph1120
    Seraph1120 Posts: 194 Member
    Wheat/Spinache wraps, hummus (you can add chicken, turkey, roast beef), baby carrots, cucumber slices and yogurt

    I love hummus!! Excuse me if this sounds dumb, but do you put all these in the wrap, or is the yogurt on the side?
    I know of a Russian recipe my roommate taught me our first semester in college. (She's from Russia, so, yeah, it is literally Russian.) But it's a rice salad - 1/2 cup white rice, 1 mini can clams or shrimp, and a mini can of corn, cooked in a diluted broth solution (like, 15-20% broth in water), cook it all together until the rice is soft. Serve it with a spoon (or two) of mayonnaise or your favorite dressing. It's good hot or cold! The proportions I listed above give me a whole meal's worth. :)

    And this sounds interesting! I've just recently gotten into eating shrimp. I may have to give this a try. ;)
  • bulletprooff
    bulletprooff Posts: 77
    Wheat/Spinache wraps, hummus (you can add chicken, turkey, roast beef), baby carrots, cucumber slices and yogurt

    I love hummus!! Excuse me if this sounds dumb, but do you put all these in the wrap, or is the yogurt on the side?

    oops sorry, yorgurt on the side. I've been having cucumber slices and hummus on a a wrap, carrots and yorgurt are good additions to any lunch as a side/snack.
  • MiekeJ
    MiekeJ Posts: 139
    tuna, brown rice , broccoli, carrots and green onion....add your fav. asian seasonings

    I do this occasionally :-)
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