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Our Best Healthy Lunch Ideas

By Carl Hanson
March 30, 2020
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Vegetarian Banh Mi Bowls
Credit: fabeverydayblog

When we plan lunches for the week, we want three things. We want recipes that are easy to prep and put together (and easy to eat). We want them to be delicious, of course. And we want recipes that are healthy and on the light side, because it's no fun being weighed down in the afternoon after a heavy lunch. These recipes cover all the criteria, plus they offer loads of variety, so you'll never get bored out of your mind with lunches stuck on repeat. Add these easy healthy lunch recipes to your midday routine.

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Asian Chicken Salad in a Jar

Asian Chicken Salad in a Jar
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
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Lunch salad recipes are super simple when you pre-make them in a jar. Layer veggies, shredded chicken, chow mein noodles, shredded romaine lettuce, and a creamy peanut-butter-based dressing for an easy lunch on the go. "This was incredible," says whittakelli. "For on the go, I think its a fantastic idea. A nice change from the normal chicken salad recipes."

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Turkey Veggie Meatloaf Cups

Turkey Veggie Meatloaf Cups
Credit: Bren
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Here's a terrific high-protein lunch that's still lean. "Very flavorful and moist," says CC Loves 2 Bake. "Pretty kid friendly too, and a good way to get some extra veggies in."

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Amazingly Good and Healthy Tuna Salad

Amazingly Good and Healthy Tuna Salad served with fruit on a blue plate
Credit: lutzflcat
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Serve this tuna, cranberries, apple, mayonnaise, green onion salad on a bed of fresh spinach or between two pieces of whole grain bread. "This was super easy and yummy," says SA Susan. "I chopped the spinach up and added it to the salad."

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Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling

Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling
Credit: CC<3's2bake
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FISHLOVE recommends that you "serve this tasty sandwich spread on crusty whole grain rolls or pita bread, with lettuce and tomato. Other raw, chopped vegetables can be substituted for the celery. Your favorite salad dressing can be substituted for the mayo." Or substituteĀ vegan mayo to make a very satisfying vegan lunch.

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Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups

Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups
Credit: bd.weld
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"No cooking required," says KyLeeAnn. "It's a quick, healthy, and delicious recipe guaranteed to make you feel and look good."

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Vegetarian Banh Mi Bowls

Vegetarian Banh Mi Bowls
Credit: fabeverydayblog
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Recipe creator fabeverydayblog says, "This vegetarian bowl version of the beloved Vietnamese banh mi sandwich gets its protein from quinoa and has a kick from a spicy vegetarian mayo sauce."

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Tuna-Artichoke Salad

Tuna-Artichoke Salad
Credit: lutzflcat
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"Would give it ten stars if possible," raves DingDong64. "This is so quick and easy, takes no time at all, and presto! A very light, flavorful lunch."

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California Club Chicken Wraps

California Club Chicken Wraps
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Here's a great healthy lunch idea for leftover cooked chicken. A simple homemade chipotle mayonnaise sauce gives it some kick. "Yum! This is not your average chicken wrap," says Jillian.

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Leftover Salmon Lunch Wrap

Leftover Salmon Lunch Wrap
Credit: Linda T
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Next time you grill or bake salmon, add some extra fillets for quick, healthy lunches. "I am currently eating clean so I needed a quick and healthy lunch recipe," says Amy. "This recipe is fresh and delicious and easily doubled for multiple people."

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Zesty Quinoa Salad

Zesty Quinoa Salad
Credit: Linda(LMT)
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"Brought this to a Memorial Day celebration where no one had tried quinoa before. Everyone loved this salad," says terriaob. "It's easy, refreshing and versatile."

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Layered "NorCal" Nicoise Salad

Layered "NorCal" Nicoise Salad
Credit: Chef John
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"I love a good Nicoise salad, and the potatoes, green beans, olives, tomatoes, and chopped egg are perfect for layering," says Chef John.

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Chef John's Fresh Spring Rolls

Chef John's Fresh Spring Rolls
Credit: Chef John
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Watch Chef John make simple spring rolls filled with cooked chicken, fresh veggies, and herbs. "In this recipe, I'm showing a technique and you can fill the rolls with whatever you have on hand," says Chef John.

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Apple Curry Turkey Pita

Apple Curry Turkey Pita
Credit: Allrecipes Magazine
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Reviewer Seattle Dad says, "Phenomenal! I used canned chicken intentionally to make this simple to make for sandwiches to carry to work. I couldn't be more pleased with the results."

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    1 of 13 Asian Chicken Salad in a Jar
    2 of 13 Turkey Veggie Meatloaf Cups
    3 of 13 Amazingly Good and Healthy Tuna Salad
    4 of 13 Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling
    5 of 13 Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups
    6 of 13 Vegetarian Banh Mi Bowls
    7 of 13 Tuna-Artichoke Salad
    8 of 13 California Club Chicken Wraps
    9 of 13 Leftover Salmon Lunch Wrap
    10 of 13 Zesty Quinoa Salad
    11 of 13 Layered "NorCal" Nicoise Salad
    12 of 13 Chef John's Fresh Spring Rolls
    13 of 13 Apple Curry Turkey Pita

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