Close
Photo: Jerrelle Guy
We know you’re super busy and rushing out the door in the morning, but don’t forget to pack a healthy lunch! It’s your No. 1 secret weapon against fast-food and vending machine temptations. These low-calorie packable lunch recipes are easy to prepare and have 350 calories or fewer per serving. The Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap and Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad are the perfect afternoon pick-me-ups.
01of 18Creamy Avocado & White Bean WrapView RecipeWhite beans mashed with ripe avocado and blended with sharp Cheddar and onion makes an incredibly rich, flavorful filling for this wrap. The tangy, spicy slaw adds crunch. A pinch (or more) of ground chipotle pepper and an extra dash of cider vinegar can be used in place of the canned chipotles in adobo sauce. Wrap these up to take as a healthy and portable lunch for work.
01of 18
Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap
View Recipe
White beans mashed with ripe avocado and blended with sharp Cheddar and onion makes an incredibly rich, flavorful filling for this wrap. The tangy, spicy slaw adds crunch. A pinch (or more) of ground chipotle pepper and an extra dash of cider vinegar can be used in place of the canned chipotles in adobo sauce. Wrap these up to take as a healthy and portable lunch for work.
02of 18Vegetarian Italian HoagiesView RecipeTraditional Italian subs feature meat, but this delightfully easy sandwich packs a punch with artichoke hearts, red onion and zesty pepperoncini instead. We love it for dinner as well as lunch. If you’re packing the hoagies to take along, keep the ingredients separate and assemble them right before eating to avoid soggy bread. Serve with tomato and cucumber salad.
02of 18
Vegetarian Italian Hoagies
Traditional Italian subs feature meat, but this delightfully easy sandwich packs a punch with artichoke hearts, red onion and zesty pepperoncini instead. We love it for dinner as well as lunch. If you’re packing the hoagies to take along, keep the ingredients separate and assemble them right before eating to avoid soggy bread. Serve with tomato and cucumber salad.
03of 18Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto SaladView RecipePacked with protein and fiber, this tuna and bean salad is ready in a flash. For an extra kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper or cayenne.
03of 18
Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad
Packed with protein and fiber, this tuna and bean salad is ready in a flash. For an extra kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper or cayenne.
04of 18Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad with GreensView RecipeFor a healthy variation on creamy chicken salad, we’ve replaced half the mayonnaise with basil pesto. Serve over greens or make it into a sandwich for a healthy lunch.
04of 18
Creamy Pesto Chicken Salad with Greens
For a healthy variation on creamy chicken salad, we’ve replaced half the mayonnaise with basil pesto. Serve over greens or make it into a sandwich for a healthy lunch.
05of 18Whole-Wheat Veggie WrapView RecipeUse whichever veggies you have on hand to fill up this veggie wrap. The avocado and hummus help hold the wrap together—and provide heart-healthy fat and fiber.
05of 18
Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap
Use whichever veggies you have on hand to fill up this veggie wrap. The avocado and hummus help hold the wrap together—and provide heart-healthy fat and fiber.
06of 18BLATs (Bacon-Lettuce-Avocado-Tomato Sandwiches)View RecipeIn this healthy BLT recipe, we use a creamy avocado spread flavored with garlic and basil, and add sprouts. Look for sprouted-wheat bread in the frozen section or with other specialty breads at your grocery store.
06of 18
BLATs (Bacon-Lettuce-Avocado-Tomato Sandwiches)
In this healthy BLT recipe, we use a creamy avocado spread flavored with garlic and basil, and add sprouts. Look for sprouted-wheat bread in the frozen section or with other specialty breads at your grocery store.
07of 18Avocado, Tomato & Chicken SandwichView RecipeIn this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.
07of 18
Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich
In this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.
08of 18Greek Salad with SardinesView RecipeThe fresh, tangy elements of a Greek salad—tomato, cucumber, feta, olives and lemony vinaigrette—pair well with rich-tasting sardines. Look for sardines with skin and bones (which are edible) as they have more than four times the amount of calcium as skinless, boneless sardines. If you’re lucky enough to have fresh sardines available in your supermarket, try them in place of canned sardines. Lightly dredge them in salt-and-pepper-seasoned flour and sauté them in a little olive oil.
08of 18
Greek Salad with Sardines
The fresh, tangy elements of a Greek salad—tomato, cucumber, feta, olives and lemony vinaigrette—pair well with rich-tasting sardines. Look for sardines with skin and bones (which are edible) as they have more than four times the amount of calcium as skinless, boneless sardines. If you’re lucky enough to have fresh sardines available in your supermarket, try them in place of canned sardines. Lightly dredge them in salt-and-pepper-seasoned flour and sauté them in a little olive oil.
09of 18Cucumber Salad SandwichView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh HoggleWho said you couldn’t put a salad on a sandwich? Flavor this creamy cucumber filling with your favorite fresh herbs, tangy feta cheese and lemon. Salting the cucumber and then patting it dry removes some of the moisture from the cucumber so the filling doesn’t make the bread too soggy. If you like crispy bread, toast it first for extra crunch.
09of 18
Cucumber Salad Sandwich
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Who said you couldn’t put a salad on a sandwich? Flavor this creamy cucumber filling with your favorite fresh herbs, tangy feta cheese and lemon. Salting the cucumber and then patting it dry removes some of the moisture from the cucumber so the filling doesn’t make the bread too soggy. If you like crispy bread, toast it first for extra crunch.
10of 18Salmon Salad SandwichView RecipeSalmon salad served on tangy pumpernickel bread makes for an easy dinner—a double batch will give you lunch the next day.
10of 18
Salmon Salad Sandwich
Salmon salad served on tangy pumpernickel bread makes for an easy dinner—a double batch will give you lunch the next day.
11of 183-Ingredient Farro Bowl with Rotisserie ChickenView RecipeCarolyn HodgesTo make this hearty grain bowl, grab a salad kit from the grocery store. Then, top the kit with farro and chicken for a high-protein lunch or dinner that’s ready in minutes.
11of 18
3-Ingredient Farro Bowl with Rotisserie Chicken
Carolyn Hodges
To make this hearty grain bowl, grab a salad kit from the grocery store. Then, top the kit with farro and chicken for a high-protein lunch or dinner that’s ready in minutes.
12of 18
Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Rice Bowl
13of 18Roasted Buffalo Chickpea WrapsView RecipeThis vegetarian riff on a Buffalo chicken wrap adds the spicy Buffalo tang you love to crunchy roasted chickpeas all tucked into an easy-to-make wrap with carrot, celery and blue cheese. Make and take a wrap for a healthy packable lunch or serve them up on game day for a protein-packed snack everyone will devour.
13of 18
Roasted Buffalo Chickpea Wraps
This vegetarian riff on a Buffalo chicken wrap adds the spicy Buffalo tang you love to crunchy roasted chickpeas all tucked into an easy-to-make wrap with carrot, celery and blue cheese. Make and take a wrap for a healthy packable lunch or serve them up on game day for a protein-packed snack everyone will devour.
14of 18Kale & Strawberry SaladView RecipeGreg DuPreeIn this kale and strawberry salad, apple cider vinegar and mustard flavor the dressing while fresh strawberries offer a touch of sweetness. Creamy herbed goat cheese completes this healthy salad that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
14of 18
Kale & Strawberry Salad
Greg DuPree
In this kale and strawberry salad, apple cider vinegar and mustard flavor the dressing while fresh strawberries offer a touch of sweetness. Creamy herbed goat cheese completes this healthy salad that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
15of 18Spinach PaniniView RecipeThis warm panini recipe is an easy choice when you’re preparing lunch for four. Each sandwich is loaded with a full cup of spinach and flavorful basil and feta cheese—so tasty!
15of 18
Spinach Panini
This warm panini recipe is an easy choice when you’re preparing lunch for four. Each sandwich is loaded with a full cup of spinach and flavorful basil and feta cheese—so tasty!
16of 18
Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up
Jacob Fox
17of 18Southwestern Salad with Black BeansView RecipeHere we top salad greens with black beans, sweet corn and grape tomatoes and bring it all together with a tangy avocado-lime dressing for a Mexican-inspired salad. Try this salad for a take-along lunch. To keep the salad greens from getting soggy, pack the greens, salad toppings and dressing in separate containers and toss them together just before eating.
17of 18
Southwestern Salad with Black Beans
Here we top salad greens with black beans, sweet corn and grape tomatoes and bring it all together with a tangy avocado-lime dressing for a Mexican-inspired salad. Try this salad for a take-along lunch. To keep the salad greens from getting soggy, pack the greens, salad toppings and dressing in separate containers and toss them together just before eating.
18of 18Greek Salad with EdamameView RecipeEdamame adds protein to the classic Greek salad: romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, feta and olives. Serve with toasted pita brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with dried oregano or za’atar.
18of 18
Greek Salad with Edamame
Edamame adds protein to the classic Greek salad: romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, feta and olives. Serve with toasted pita brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with dried oregano or za’atar.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
