Healthy lunch recipes have become the unsung heroes among our better eating habits. Lunchtime often takes a backseat to the importance that a healthy breakfast gets, but the reality is that lunches can become a real sink hole for our nutrition, money and energy. Whether going out to lunch, grabbing something on the go, working through lunch or heating up boxed food in the microwave, these are all prime opportunities to reclaim this mid day meal.
The first step? Start making lunches again, at home. Simply making the time to plan, create and enjoy homemade lunches carries an immediate boost to the quality of our time, energy and budget. Preparing lunch injects a needed time-out from work and other daily activities. It's an excellent time for practicing a very simple and concrete exercise in mindfulness: sans TV, music, work, etc. just rinse, just chop, just stir. Sitting around the table with family and friends can ground and reinvigorate us for the rest of the day. And healthy lunch recipes can help make up for a quickie breakfast or allow for a nice splurge at other times.
Next step? Start packing as many healthy foods into lunchtime as possible. Choose better foods for your healthy lunch recipes then bundle in even more healthy extras like these to complete the plate. Enjoy!
Homemade salads are typically our mainstay for healthier lunches, but these healthy lunch recipes below help offset the monotony that daily salads can become and still satisfy that "sandwich" craving every now and again. These wraps and sandwich recipes can easily be made with gluten or gluten free products, and these breadless wonders make good sense too.
For some added protein, layer on a few slices of smoked salmon, a poached egg or a strip of bacon like Applegate's Organic Sunday Bacon or from your local meat source (find yours here).
Mash avocado in small bowl (a mini food processor works well too) with a few drops of Sriracha to taste, a little salt and a squeeze or two of fresh lime -- leave a little chunky. Spread avocado mixture on two pieces of lightly toasted bread and top with sprouts, tomato, cheese and remaining toast.
This combo is a lighter but more satisfying alternative to pimento cheese. The nuts are the star and make up the bulk of the recipe, adding just enough cheese and mayo to bind and flavor the raw nuts. Less is also more for the olives, onion and seasonings too -- just to flavor. Using a mini food processor to chop nuts and olives makes for speedy prep. So much more satiating without that cheesy heaviness that traditional pimento can give. Makes a great spread or dip recipe too.
Mix in a bit of chèvre or feta with mayo; you could also substitute chèvre or a little olive oil for mayo too.
Combine first 7 ingredients in amounts according to taste and in proportions from more to less in order listed. (See notes above recipe too) Spread on toast, lettuce leaf, crackers or raw vegetables.
Using a microplane grater gives a lot of taste without using a lot of cheese -- try it!
Amy's Bean Burritos (gluten free and dairy free choices too!) Why Amy's?
Cook burrito according to package directions. While burrito is cooking, make a single layer of chips in center of plate. Scatter 2 tablespoons of salsa over chips. Grate a fine layer of cheese just to lightly cover chips. Top with greens, onions and avocado. Place cooked burrito on top of greens and drizzle with remaining salsa. Top with additional cheese if desired. Eat with knife and fork.
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Warm tortillas according to package directions or in medium hot skillet.
Gently combine salmon and next 6 ingredients, set aside. Mash avocado with a tiny bit of salt to taste (and a couple of drops of Sriracha if you like) and lightly schmear on one whole side of each tortilla. Line up cucumbers and tomatoes on first 1/3 of each tortilla. Scoop and spread salmon salad in a heaping line just to the side of the half-way point of each tortilla. Roll up and slice in half on a diagonal.
Go open-face and save a slice. Duh!
How about some savory waffle ideas or egg recipes for lunch?
Protein-rich Falafel Chips, this super-spiced, fiber-packed popcorn or roasted chickpeas (great in lieu of crouons on salads too).