Build a Better Lunchbox: Healthy, Portable Lunch Ideas for Work
It’s that time of year again, when summer’s calmness is overtaken by the hustle and bustle of going back to work. Luckily, healthy mealtime doesn’t need to be swallowed up in the craziness of post-summer life… especially that oh-so-necessary midday break we like to call lunch.
Here are a few lunch ideas for work, so you can be happy and healthy even at your desk.
Mediterranean plate
Make a personalized version of your favorite takeout platter by packing up dips and dippables: crudités (like carrots, cucumber and grape tomatoes), hummus, babaganouj, pita or crackers and a handful of olives.
Seek out a multi-compartment food storage container or use several smaller ones to tote your goodies from home (and prevent soggy pita at lunchtime).
Leftovers
It’s practically fall already, and we’ll take this (or any) excuse to have a warm, hearty meal midday. Set your lunch preferences to leftovers on PlateJoy, and have another portion ready to go for lunch, no extra prep required.
If you want to stretch your meal even further, prep a batch of rice or quinoa on the weekend and enjoy leftovers as a grain bowl, or serve over greens as a salad.
Lettuce cups
For a low-carb alternative to the traditional sandwich, pack up the ingredients for DIY lettuce cups. Combine shredded chicken, lentils or pinto beans with a few pinches of your favorite spices and sauce (we love peanut sauce), then pack up these fillings container. Pack another container with shredded veggies like carrots, kale and cabbage. Wrap your lettuce leaves in paper towel and place in a reuseable storage bag. Voila! With some quick assembly, lunch is served.
Cheese board
Who says you can’t have a fancy French-inspired meal at the office? You can. We’ve decided.
Slice up a selection of a few cheeses, add dried fruit and nuts, crackers or sliced baguette, salami or prosciutto, and perhaps a little jam or honey to round things out. If you’re feeling extra inspired, bring along a bottle of flavored sparkling water. Filling and fancy!
Chopped superfood salad
Hearty salads are a great way to get your greens and feel satisfied at the same time (and by hearty, we don’t mean iceberg lettuce, tomato and sad cucumber). Prep your favorite ingredients the night before, combine in a tupperware, and bring a dressing on the side to add just before serving.
Some of our favorite combinations include:
kale + sweet potato + baked tempeh + avocado + dried cranberry + hazelnuts + hemp seeds + balsamic vinaigrette
spinach + roasted chicken + olives + red onion + cucumber + cherry tomatoes + roasted potatoes + lemon juice + olive oil
romaine lettuce + tuna + parsnips + green beans + olives + hard boiled egg + red wine vinaigrette
See more healthy lunch ideas in part one of this series!
- Amy Height