16 Healthy Lunch Recipes
We're all looking for ways to stay healthy and eat healthy, but this can be a challenge for some of us, especially at lunchtime. While it may be easy to go out and grab a lunch from a nearby restaurant or cafe, it's not always the healthiest choice. That's why we believe that a healthy lunch starts at home, where you're in control of the ingredients.
To help you out, we've put together a list of some of our favorite healthy lunch recipes, along with some tips that we hope will help you make the best choices for your dietary needs.
Table of Contents
Salads You'll Love
Salads can be a great choice for a healthy lunch, so long as you're making sure to use healthy salad dressings! And since there are so many different ways to make a salad, you don't ever have to get bored. Just mix and match your veggies, use what's in your fridge, try a new dressing...you get the idea! Below are just some of our favorites to help get you started.
This low-carb tuna salad is full of garden-fresh pickin's, like tomatoes, celery, fresh dill and more. Our Garden Tuna Salad makes a great outdoor picnic recipe 'cause there's so much fresh flavor in it, but it's also an easy and quick lunch idea!
There's no doubt about it, we eat with our eyes. So, for a change of pace from traditional tossed salads, why not arrange our Farm Stand Salad in a colorful pattern on a platter and drizzle with the dressing. Boy, will everybody's eyes light up as you set that on the table!
Cobb salad is one of our favorite American salads 'cause it's got a ton of yummy ingredients like egg, bacon, cheese, tomato, and more! It's said that this salad was first created at the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, which is why we call this our Brown Derby Cobb Salad.
Chicken salad is great! You can eat it many different ways, plus it keeps well in the fridge. It's so light, versatile, and easy that we want to enjoy it year-round. That's why we created Pilgrim Chicken Salad. It's a classic summertime recipe with all the flavors of fall!
Anytime you add a bit of Dijon-style mustard to a recipe, it immediately transports your taste buds to a French bistro. That's exactly what will happen when you lighten up your egg salad with this healthier recipe for Bistro Egg Salad.
Our Mr. Food Test Kitchen wants you to add a ray of sunshine to your mealtime routine with this refreshing citrusy Sunshine Salad that'll get a seal of approval from anyone looking to eat right.
If you love those barbecue ranch flavors then this healthy salad recipe is right up your alley. Our Healthy BBQ Ranch Salad has so much southwestern flavor, it'll have you saying "Yeehaw!" with every bite!
Yes you can make Your Very Own Waldorf Salad and still stick to your diabetes diet. This lighter, healthier version includes some cooked chicken, to hearty it up, and is sure to be one of your favorite main dish salads.
Sandwich Substitutes
While sandwiches are not off-limits on diabetic diets, they can certainly be a challenge to those who are counting carbs. Luckily, there are other ways to enjoy your favorite deli meats and sandwich fillings that are a little healthier. For example, you can enjoy your sandwich open-faced or start with whole-wheat pita breads or wraps (many of which come in low-carb varieties). You can even experiment with unique bread substitutes, like we did with our Low-Carb Grilled Cheese!
Have you ever had a famous Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich? We've recreated this popular open-faced sandwich recipe in a healthier version, so you can enjoy a restaurant classic without feeling any guilt. Grab your fork and knife, and get ready to enjoy!
These little filling whole wheat pita pocket sandwiches are packed with healthy veggies, so you just can't go wrong. Our Veggie-Stuffed Pitas are a diabetes-friendly option that is great for a light meal.
Betcha' never thought you could have a grilled cheese sandwich while following a diabetic diet! Our recipe for Low-Carb Grilled Cheese will have you rethinking everything, 'cause it uses a special ingredient to make a childhood favorite diabetic-friendly!
Looking for an easy, on-the-go meal? Our 5-ingredient Cheesy Chicken Burrito is easy to make and take with you anywhere. It's full of warm creamy goodness with a punch of protein, making it a great lunchtime option!
Other Yummy Lunch Ideas
Lunch doesn't have to mean just salads and sandwiches! On those days when you have a little extra time, why not whip up one of these healthy lunch recipes? Just remember, portion control can be just as important as eating healthy. Even though these meals are lower in calories, carbs, and fat, that doesn't mean you should overeat!
By stuffing our avocados with chicken and some fresh salsa, we can enjoy a quick and nutritious, low-carb, lunch that's full of flavor. Our Shredded Chicken Avocados have a creamy texture (thanks to the avocado!) that make 'em taste extra-yummy.
The flavors of Buffalo chicken are a cult classic. We've recreated this recipe to make it diabetes-friendly, plus, our Boneless Buffalo Chicken is better for you than the original. Don't forget the celery, carrots and reduced-fat blue cheese for dipping! They help balance out the spicy flavors of the chicken.
Low in fat and high in nutrition, lentils are always a super choice for anyone who has diabetes. Our Hearty Lentil Soup is so filling, you can enjoy it as a main dish soup or certainly have a cup as a starter for the rest of your meal.
Move over chicken and eggplant Parmesan, there's a new kid in town. Our Italian Veggie Parmesan isn't breaded or fried, but roasted, which gives this melt more taste and less carbs!
We hope you enjoyed these healthy and quick lunch ideas, as well as our healthy lunch tips. If you like these recipes or have a question about packing a healthy lunch, please be sure to leave us a comment below!
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