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Photo: Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
Featuring salads, sandwiches and wraps, these cold lunch ideas are perfect for teachers. During lunch, just pull out one of these meals and enjoy—no microwave needed! Recipes like our Turkey & Cheddar Lettuce Wraps and Chickpea Tuna Salad are healthy and delicious midday meals you’ll be adding to your regular rotation.
01of 23Turkey & Cheddar Lettuce WrapsView RecipeCrispy green lettuce leaves hold the filling inside this low-carb turkey wrap. It’s perfect for lunch or a quick, easy dinner on the go.
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Turkey & Cheddar Lettuce Wraps
View Recipe
Crispy green lettuce leaves hold the filling inside this low-carb turkey wrap. It’s perfect for lunch or a quick, easy dinner on the go.
02of 23Creamy 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.
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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.
03of 23Chickpea Tuna SaladView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth BlackburnThis chickpea tuna salad with capers, feta and cucumber makes for the perfect lunch to pack for work or school. You can prep the salad the night before (just be sure to keep the spinach separate and dress the salad right before serving).
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Chickpea Tuna Salad
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
This chickpea tuna salad with capers, feta and cucumber makes for the perfect lunch to pack for work or school. You can prep the salad the night before (just be sure to keep the spinach separate and dress the salad right before serving).
04of 23Pickled Beet, Arugula & Herbed Goat Cheese SandwichView RecipeJacob FoxThis pickled beet, arugula and goat cheese sandwich is peppery with creamy notes from the goat cheese and sweet and tangy undertones from the pickled beets. Chopped walnuts add nuttiness and crunch to this easy sandwich.
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Pickled Beet, Arugula & Herbed Goat Cheese Sandwich
Jacob Fox
This pickled beet, arugula and goat cheese sandwich is peppery with creamy notes from the goat cheese and sweet and tangy undertones from the pickled beets. Chopped walnuts add nuttiness and crunch to this easy sandwich.
05of 23Veggie & Cream Cheese SandwichView RecipeVictor ProtasioThe cream cheese in this veggie and cream cheese sandwich adds flavor while holding everything in place. This colorful, well-balanced sandwich is crispy from the cucumber and peppers, sweet from tomatoes and beets, and tangy from the banana peppers.
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Veggie & Cream Cheese Sandwich
Victor Protasio
The cream cheese in this veggie and cream cheese sandwich adds flavor while holding everything in place. This colorful, well-balanced sandwich is crispy from the cucumber and peppers, sweet from tomatoes and beets, and tangy from the banana peppers.
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Protein Bistro Lunch Box
07of 23Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale SaladView RecipeJacob FoxThis copycat Chick-fil-A kale salad has a sweet and tangy dressing coating tender kale and cabbage leaves that have been gently massaged. This salad can sit for an hour or two; just be sure to toss it before serving to redistribute the dressing.
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Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Salad
This copycat Chick-fil-A kale salad has a sweet and tangy dressing coating tender kale and cabbage leaves that have been gently massaged. This salad can sit for an hour or two; just be sure to toss it before serving to redistribute the dressing.
08of 23Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric DressingView RecipeIn about 10 minutes, you can prep a week’s worth of lunches using 4 simple ingredients from your local specialty grocery store. To minimize prep, we’re taking advantage of prechopped fresh veggie mix and frozen quinoa (which heats in the microwave in under 5 minutes). These crunchy chopped salad bowls are high in fiber but lower in calories, making them perfect for those following a reduced-calorie diet.
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Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric Dressing
In about 10 minutes, you can prep a week’s worth of lunches using 4 simple ingredients from your local specialty grocery store. To minimize prep, we’re taking advantage of prechopped fresh veggie mix and frozen quinoa (which heats in the microwave in under 5 minutes). These crunchy chopped salad bowls are high in fiber but lower in calories, making them perfect for those following a reduced-calorie diet.
09of 23Chickpea “Chicken” SaladView RecipeThis chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad. It doesn’t mimic the flavor of chicken; it swaps chickpeas in for the chicken. It’s an ideal recipe if you’re looking for simple, healthy lunch ideas. It is a delicious and fiber-packed vegetarian alternative! Plus, it’s easily transportable, perfect for picnics and will surely step up your usual desk lunch. So, whether you’re in need of healthy lunch ideas for work or school, or healthy lunch ideas for kids and teens alike, this fresh and creamy chickpea salad may be the answer.
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Chickpea “Chicken” Salad
This chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad. It doesn’t mimic the flavor of chicken; it swaps chickpeas in for the chicken. It’s an ideal recipe if you’re looking for simple, healthy lunch ideas. It is a delicious and fiber-packed vegetarian alternative! Plus, it’s easily transportable, perfect for picnics and will surely step up your usual desk lunch. So, whether you’re in need of healthy lunch ideas for work or school, or healthy lunch ideas for kids and teens alike, this fresh and creamy chickpea salad may be the answer.
10of 23Tuna Salad with EggView RecipePhotography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Ali Ramee / Audrey DavisThis simple tuna salad with egg has a clean and balanced flavor. The capers and lemon bring acidity to help everything come together and chopped arugula adds a peppery kick. Enjoy it with greens or on a slice of your favorite whole-grain bread.
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Tuna Salad with Egg
Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Ali Ramee / Audrey Davis
This simple tuna salad with egg has a clean and balanced flavor. The capers and lemon bring acidity to help everything come together and chopped arugula adds a peppery kick. Enjoy it with greens or on a slice of your favorite whole-grain bread.
11of 23Chicken & Apple Kale WrapsView RecipeUsing kale leaves instead of bread to wrap your filling makes this healthy chicken lunch recipe low-calorie (and lower in carbs!). If you can’t find lacinato (aka Tuscan) kale, try cabbage for your wrap.
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Chicken & Apple Kale Wraps
Using kale leaves instead of bread to wrap your filling makes this healthy chicken lunch recipe low-calorie (and lower in carbs!). If you can’t find lacinato (aka Tuscan) kale, try cabbage for your wrap.
12of 23Meal-Prep Turkey Cobb SaladView RecipeCubed deli turkey takes the place of chicken, while Cheddar replaces blue cheese in this easy Cobb-inspired salad. The protein-rich turkey and cheese, plus eggs and bacon, gives the salad staying power, so you won’t get hungry an hour after you eat. Feel free to swap out the turkey for cooked chicken or chickpeas to mix things up. Serve the salad right away or pack it up in individual containers and you’ll be set for lunch for days.
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Meal-Prep Turkey Cobb Salad
Cubed deli turkey takes the place of chicken, while Cheddar replaces blue cheese in this easy Cobb-inspired salad. The protein-rich turkey and cheese, plus eggs and bacon, gives the salad staying power, so you won’t get hungry an hour after you eat. Feel free to swap out the turkey for cooked chicken or chickpeas to mix things up. Serve the salad right away or pack it up in individual containers and you’ll be set for lunch for days.
13of 23Cucumber Salad, Hummus & Pita Bento Box LunchView RecipeEnjoy this refreshing bento box idea on your lunch break. It combines cucumber salad, hummus, pita and more for a satisfying work lunch.
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Cucumber Salad, Hummus & Pita Bento Box Lunch
Enjoy this refreshing bento box idea on your lunch break. It combines cucumber salad, hummus, pita and more for a satisfying work lunch.
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Tuna & Olive Spinach Salad
15of 23Green Goddess SandwichView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis green goddess sandwich is a fresh and satisfying sandwich. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.
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Green Goddess Sandwich
This green goddess sandwich is a fresh and satisfying sandwich. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.
16of 23Chopped Cobb SaladView RecipeThis single-serving recipe for Cobb salad swaps chicken in for bacon, which makes it a great source of protein for lunch. If you prefer another salad dressing, feel free to use that instead of our honey-mustard vinaigrette.
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Chopped Cobb Salad
This single-serving recipe for Cobb salad swaps chicken in for bacon, which makes it a great source of protein for lunch. If you prefer another salad dressing, feel free to use that instead of our honey-mustard vinaigrette.
17of 23Salmon Pita SandwichView RecipeThis quick lunch recipe is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s thanks to the canned sockeye salmon. If you’re bringing this sandwich for lunch, keep the salmon salad separate and stuff the pita just before eating.
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Salmon Pita Sandwich
This quick lunch recipe is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s thanks to the canned sockeye salmon. If you’re bringing this sandwich for lunch, keep the salmon salad separate and stuff the pita just before eating.
18of 23Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep SaladView RecipeCarolyn Hodges, M.S., RDNOne of our most popular salad recipes,Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Feta & Walnuts, gets a makeover in these simple yet totally satisfying meal-prep spinach salad bowls. They require minimal prep and can be customized to your taste. Swap in roasted salmon for the chicken thighs, and almonds or pecans for the walnuts, and use any fresh berry that looks good at your market.
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Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad
Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RDN
One of our most popular salad recipes,Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Feta & Walnuts, gets a makeover in these simple yet totally satisfying meal-prep spinach salad bowls. They require minimal prep and can be customized to your taste. Swap in roasted salmon for the chicken thighs, and almonds or pecans for the walnuts, and use any fresh berry that looks good at your market.
19of 23Egg Salad Lettuce WrapsView RecipeWe love the retro vibe of these egg salad lettuce wraps. Iceberg lettuce makes a perfect low-carb swap for bread to serve the egg salad.
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Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps
We love the retro vibe of these egg salad lettuce wraps. Iceberg lettuce makes a perfect low-carb swap for bread to serve the egg salad.
20of 23Fruit, Veggie & Cheese PlateView RecipeThis healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.
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Fruit, Veggie & Cheese Plate
This healthy fruit, veggie and cheese plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner at home or can be packed up and enjoyed as an outdoor picnic.
21of 23Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet RelishView RecipeThis sweet twist on a classic tuna-salad sandwich is a healthy high-protein lunch that even your kids will love.
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Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet Relish
This sweet twist on a classic tuna-salad sandwich is a healthy high-protein lunch that even your kids will love.
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3-Ingredient Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Carolyn Hodges
23of 23Whole-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.
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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.
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