i need healthy, filling, easy lunch ideas that are not salad...??

groovygrl · May 2014

I seriously need to eat better, my clothes are getting tight and I have a much easier time eating new/healthy items for breakfast than lunch, plus I find myself always wanting that 3pm snack. I keep nuts in my drawer at work to help with that part at least. I try to take leftovers for lunch when I have them but we don't often have leftovers and I get bored eating the same lunch every day so I tend to just buy things near work.

WOuld love lunch ideas beyond sandwiches & salads... like for example I love the protein bistro box from starbucks & would be up for recreating that on my own, I would do tuna salad & crackers, etc.

I know this has been posted in the past but would love ideas!

shannm · May 2014

Tub of hummus, sliced veggies and crackers.

Cold pasta salad with fresh mozz, tomatoes, pepperoni, veggies.

groovygrl · May 2014

I love hummus, good idea, I could keep the whole tub at work & use for 2 days... and also love the pasta salad idea, I love pasta salad & that is easy! (plus MH has gluten sensitivity so I tend to get my gluten fixes at work

)

groovygrl · May 2014

Privacy a few questions...
what is lentil sauce? this is not something I have had on pasta before...???
What is weird about liking soup hot? huh? only gazpacho & cucumber should be cold IMO. And I guess vichyssoise but I have never had that.
Friday- just a sweet potato w/ bacon on top of it? is there more to this?

What is in chinese corn soup?

Scarlett1982 · May 2014

Quinoa is great and very versatile. I make quinoa salads with black beans or lentils and other veggies. This is one of my favorites: https://ohsheglows.com/2013/07/19/cumin-lime-black-bean-quinoa-salad-quick-easy/

GPeterson24 · May 2014

I like to do smoothies with Greek yogurt to up the protein content.

I also make big batches of chicken and rice/quinoa wraps that I freeze. Then just take 1 or 2 to work and zap in the microwave, very filling.

groovygrl · May 2014

PrivacyWanted said:
I mean I like hot soup on hot days

Lentil sauce is basic lentil soup puréed. It ends up tasting a bit like chili Mac with the spices I add.
Chinese corn soup is like egg drop with lots of corn.

Eta. Yes the sweet potato is just a nuked SP with crumbled bacon in it. Super basic.

Hehehe duhhh .

emberlee3 · May 2014

Crustless quiche. I butter the pan, then sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Easy to make the night before. You could make mini quiches and freeze.

groovygrl · May 2014

Ohhh the rice/quinoa one gave me another idea, i love rice bowls from like chipotle or this other place near work. I wonder if I cuold put some of the frozen precooked brown rice in a container
top w/ whatever kind of stuff I have (black beans, corn, some shredded chicken, some veggies, whtaever) and just take it to work- the rice would thaw & then maybe have a little homemade vinaigrette or something to mix in before eating...

emberlee3 · May 2014

groovygrl said:

Ohhh the rice/quinoa one gave me another idea, i love rice bowls from like chipotle or this other place near work. I wonder if I cuold put some of the frozen precooked brown rice in a container
top w/ whatever kind of stuff I have (black beans, corn, some shredded chicken, some veggies, whtaever) and just take it to work- the rice would thaw & then maybe have a little homemade vinaigrette or something to mix in before eating...

You can make a big batch of rice and freeze portions yourself. I make a yummy peanut sauce that tastes delicious on veggies and rice or quinoa, +/- meat:

3 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 Tbsp lime juice or rice vinegar
Crushed red pepper (I use ground cayenne) to taste
2-3 tbsp water

Whisk together until it forms a smooth sauce. Makes enough for 2-3 servings, so I put it in little containers in the fridge and pour it on before eating.

groovygrl · May 2014

YUM!

bethughknee · May 2014

MH makes quinoa on Sundays with peppers, onions, and spices, then takes a portion each day with some black beans. From what he says it's pretty filling. He plays with what he adds to it so he doesn't get bored.

I WFH so I make smoothies a lot. Sometimes Greek yogurt, sometimes not. I also like boiling and shredding a couple of chicken breasts and just doing different things through the week. Mostly wraps. I do hummus, peppers and cucumber or buffalo sauce and lettuce or avocado, salsa and cheese.

laurakaz13 · May 2014

I try to eat super healthy and low-calorie during the week. I indulge a little bit more on the weekends.

Lunch for me is turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with lots of lettuce and tomato, soup with low sodium crackers, turkey burger reheated, steamed veggies and brown rice, PB & J, or sushi. And I only snack on fruit or butter-free popcorn. Otherwise, no snacking.

I'm a creature of habit with lunch, so I don't need a huge variety.

groovygrl · May 2014

So I did some digging online, looked at some of my cookbooks, read the responses and figured I'd share the list of ideas I came up with (of course these are the things that I would like personally

)
I thought this website was good too... https://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/awesome-easy-work-lunches

1. egg salad- on a sandwich or not, using hummus instead of mayo or not
2. starbucks style protein bistro box- hard boiled egg, fruit, crackers or small roll, couple slices cheese, some PB
3. pasta salad- many varieties (with tuna & veggies, italian style w/ sundried tomatoes/basil/mozz, summery primavera style, using tortellini...)
4. Hummus wrap or hummus w/ pita or veggies
5. Pita pizza
6. Avocado on toast
7. yogurt/granola/berry parfait type thing
8. rice or quinoa 'bowl'---- mexican style w/ black beans/chicken/corn/seasonings, asian style w/ veggies/chicken/sauce like pp mentioned, mediterranean style w/ nuts/feta/cherries/feta/vinaigrette
9. PB&J wrap- add some sliced almond, chopped apples or raisin for texture/bulk up
10. tuna salad- w/ crackers, bread, veggie sticks
11. cheddar & apple sandwich or wrap
12. Chicken salad made w/ pesto (rotisserie to make it easier)
13. mashed white beans/avocado/cucumber/lemon sandwich (from that website, thought it sounded kind of yummy...)
14. tacos or taco salad (left over from previous night turkey)

Meery82 · May 2014

GPeterson24 said:

I also make big batches of chicken and rice/quinoa wraps that I freeze. Then just take 1 or 2 to work and zap in the microwave, very filling.

@gpeterson24, that sounds like a great idea. Do you have a recipe to share?