6 Ideas for Packing Healthy and Delicious Lunches for Work
Packing your lunch every day for work is not only smart but also saves you money, allows you to make better food choices during the day, and keeps you from eating fast food on a daily basis.
Many of us have set resolutions to eat better and get into shape. I know there are times at work when I can’t stop to take a lunch break, and I need to grab something fast to get me through the day. When this happens, I tend to make bad food choices if I am not prepared.
It’s so easy to grab fast food, eat prepackaged food, or just grab something quick from the vending machine. But with just a little prep work, you can have healthy and delicious meals every day while at work.
Many of these meals can be prepared the night before to make it even easier to grab on the way out the door in the morning. With just a little planning, you are on your way to a healthier eating lifestyle.
6 Ideas for Packing Healthy and Delicious Lunches for Work
Soup
Packing homemade soup is an excellent option for lunch. This can be made ahead of time, over the weekend, and stored in the refrigerator. Another option would be to make the soup in large batches and freeze it in smaller containers. You could heat it in the morning and put it in a thermos or warm it during your lunch break at work. If you don’t have time for homemade soup, there are several good choices of store-bought soups on the market.
Tomato Barley Soup with Roasted Chickpeas
Hearty Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup
Whole30 Lasagna Soup (Keto, Paleo, Gluten Free)
Slow Cooker Healthy King Ranch Chicken Soup
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are fast, easy, and classic for a packed lunch. There are many options when it comes to packing a sandwich. For starters, choose the right bread. Pita bread is one of my favorites. You can stuff it full of lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and lean lunch meat. Everything stays tucked into your sandwich without falling out. 🙂 You might also try whole wheat or even homemade bread for your sandwich options.
10 Easy Ways to Stuff a Pita Pocket
Salad in a Jar
Packing a salad in a jar is a great portable lunch. Just fill your jar with a salad of your choice, and you will have a healthy lunch ready and waiting for you when lunchtime rolls around.
Chicken, Apple and Pecan Salad in a Jar
Dinner Left-Overs
This is what I have most days for lunch. Left-overs make for a fantastic lunch choice. When cleaning up for supper, fix a to-go plate for lunch the next day. Grab it on your way out the door in the morning.
Thermos Meals
A Thermos is not just for soup. Here are several ideas to pack into a thermos in the morning before heading out the door. If you do not have a way to warm your food at work, a thermos could be just the answer for hot (warm) food.
Hot Lunch Weekly Recipe – Thermos Pasta
14 Hot Lunch Ideas You Can Pack the Kids for School
Yogurt, Granola, and Fruit
A quick and satisfying lunch choice. You can eat this on the go and also at your desk if taking a lunch break is not an option. Add some granola, and you will have a very satisfying choice. Layer this in a Mason Jar for an easy portable lunch.
Great ideas! I’ve always been a fan of packing my lunch instead of eating out. It’s so much healthier and saves money. I’m changing careers and also getting out of my parent’s house soon so I’ve been compiling ideas for lunches and meal prep. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome!
Salad in a jar is genius! I can’t wait to start trying it!
Yes, so easy and portable!
Going to have to try out some of these recipes. Soups are always easy and feed a bunch plus freezes well usually.
I agree! We tend to eat more soup during the winter. This would be a good time to stock up on bowls of soup for the freezer.
i’m ging to try some of these for my husbands lunch
I’m sure he will love them!
I love preparing salads for lunches, or making extra for dinner just so we can have leftovers.
Left-overs are awesome!