Whether you made a resolution to eat a little better in 2016 or not, I think everyone could use some ideas for healthy lunches to take to work, right? I know too many people who skip breakfast (guilty), but lunch is an incredibly important part of your day that you can't pass on. Not only do you need the mental break, but you need that boost of energy to power you through the rest of the day. And relying on fast food hamburgers just won't do.
But your healthy lunches don't have to consist of carrot sticks and apple slices either. Eating a healthy lunch can mean eating something you really enjoy and that's totally good for you.Not to mention you'll save some serious cash. It's no secret that eating out is incredibly expensive, especially when you can buy bulk ingredients at the grocery store to last you for a week of lunches.
Still need convincing? Think of how cranky and exhausted you get by 3 p.m. That's the witching hour when you're losing focus and lacking energy, and all you want is a giant coffee and something terrible for a snack. Making sure you bring a healthy lunch to work will give you the sustenance to persevere through this nightmare scenario.
Yes, you're busy. But these 13 healthy lunches to take to work are easy to prep, easy to transport, and are delicious, too. You'll feel immensely satisfied each day, which can also help you when it comes time to make dinner at home. No more eating everything in sight the minute you walk in and spoiling your dinner plans. Bonus to these recipes? You don't have to put them in a mason jar if you don't want to.
1
Black Bean And Rice Salad
A super quick, healthy lunch that can be put together earlier in the week is this rice and black bean salad from Feed Me Phoebe. The rice will fill you up enough to make it through the day while the black beans give you lots of yummy protein. Add some grilled chicken for extra sustenance if you think you need more.
2
Chicken Tortilla Lettuce Wraps
Mexican food may be my favorite thing in the world, so I can't wait to try these chicken tortilla lettuce wraps from Averie Cooks. With lots of veggies and chicken wrapped up in a leaf of lettuce, this is an easy-to-make alternative to Chipotle.
3
Green Apple Chicken Salad
Any type of salad sandwich is usually full of mayo and calories, but Kitchen Confidante's green apple chicken salad is made with Greek yogurt and lots of crunchy ingredients to give you a healthy, satisfying meal.
4
Mini Cauliflower Pizzas
Pizza gives all of us the heart eyes, so these mini cauliflower pizzas from Damn Delicious need to make your healthy lunch list. I mean, how cute and delicious do they look?
5
Crunchy Hummus Wraps
Wraps are easy to make and easy to eat during a busy day, so these crunchy hummus wraps from Big Girls, Small Kitchen are great for your lunchbox. It's totally versatile, but the spicy hummus, creamy avocado, and crunchy veggies are delicious!
6
Spicy Tuna Guacamole Bowl
Are bowls not the greatest lunch ever? Full of all kinds of yummy ingredients, tBudget Bytes's spicy tuna guacamole bowl is easy on your wallet and keeps you on the healthy track. It's another lunch that can be customized to fit your favorite veggies and proteins, and can be made as far as three days in advance.
7
Greek Pasta Salad
From foodiecrush, this Greek pasta salad has all the flavors you love with whole wheat pasta to turn it into a super healthy lunch. Add some tuna or grilled chicken on top for an extra punch of protein.
8
Warm Arugula Salad With Quinoa And Goat Cheese
Incredibly easy to put together and full of nutrition, this warm arugula salad from Good Life Eats is a must for your lunch menu.
9
Roast Beef, Pepper, And Cheddar Sandwich
With a whole wheat hoagie, lots of peppers and onions, and a light cheddar cheese sauce, this roast beef, pepper, and cheddar sandwich from Cooking for Keeps is a healthier version of a classic lunch.
10
Open-Face Hummus Tuna Melt
Tuna melts are super delicious, but can be totally fattening. Back to Her Roots has created an open-face hummus tuna melt that replaces mayo with hummus for a sandwich that hits about 300 calories.
11
Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice Salad
A totally versatile lunch, this Mediterranean cauliflower rice salad from The Crepes of Wrath is easy to throw together, super healthy, and delicious. You won't even be able to tell you're eating pulsed up cauliflower instead of rice!
12
White Bean, Kale, And Tomato Quesadillas
Super fast, yummy, and packed full of vitamins and protein, this white bean, kale, and tomato quesadilla from Making Thyme for Health is a great one-handed lunch during the work day.
13
Cauliflower And Feta Cheese Fritters
You had no idea cauliflower was so versatile did you? These cauliflower and feta fritters from Simply Delicious are addictive and super easy to make.
Images: Courtesy of Averie Cooks; Feed Me Phoebe; Averie Cooks; Kitchen Confidante; Damn Delicious; Big Girls, Small Kitchen; Budget Bytes; foodiecrush; Good Life Eats; Cooking for Keeps; Back to Her Roots; The Crepes of Wrath; Making Thyme for Health; Simply Delicious
