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Looking for a way to switch up your typical lunch salad or sandwich? Try one of these healthy and delicious low-calorie lunch ideas. With450 calories or fewerin each serving, these light and filling lunches can help you reach your nutritional goals while feeling full and satisfied. Recipes like ourChopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric DressingandAvocado Toast with Burratawill be sure to give your day a healthy and flavorful boost.
01of 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
View Recipe
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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Lemon Chicken Pasta
03of 23Mixed Greens with Lentils & Sliced AppleView RecipeThis salad with lentils, feta and apple is a satisfying vegetarian entree to whip together for lunch. To save time, swap in drained canned lentils—just make sure to look for low-sodium and give them a rinse before adding them to the salad.
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Mixed Greens with Lentils & Sliced Apple
This salad with lentils, feta and apple is a satisfying vegetarian entree to whip together for lunch. To save time, swap in drained canned lentils—just make sure to look for low-sodium and give them a rinse before adding them to the salad.
04of 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.
05of 23Caprese SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
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Caprese Sandwich
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
This caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
06of 23Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric DressingView RecipeIn about 10 minutes, you can prep a week’s worth of lunches using four 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 four 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.
07of 23Avocado Toast with BurrataView RecipeBurrata (cream-filled fresh mozzarella cheese) takes this avocado toast recipe to the next level for a decadent yet weekday-friendly breakfast.
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Avocado Toast with Burrata
Burrata (cream-filled fresh mozzarella cheese) takes this avocado toast recipe to the next level for a decadent yet weekday-friendly breakfast.
08of 23Greek Kale Salad with Quinoa & ChickenView RecipeToss the cooked chicken into this healthy five-ingredient salad recipe while it’s still warm to lightly wilt the kale, making it softer and easier to eat. Using store-bought salad dressing saves time, but you could also make your own Mediterranean vinaigrette.
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Greek Kale Salad with Quinoa & Chicken
Toss the cooked chicken into this healthy five-ingredient salad recipe while it’s still warm to lightly wilt the kale, making it softer and easier to eat. Using store-bought salad dressing saves time, but you could also make your own Mediterranean vinaigrette.
09of 23Cannellini Bean & Herbed Ricotta ToastView RecipeTed & Chelsea CavanaughHerbed ricotta toast gets topped with cannellini beans and roasted red peppers for a colorful, tasty open-faced sandwich.
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Cannellini Bean & Herbed Ricotta Toast
Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
Herbed ricotta toast gets topped with cannellini beans and roasted red peppers for a colorful, tasty open-faced sandwich.
10of 23Cucumber SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth BlackburnThis creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese yogurt spread complements the crisp, refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together. Removing the crust makes it more delicate than your average sandwich.
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Cucumber Sandwich
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn
This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese yogurt spread complements the crisp, refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together. Removing the crust makes it more delicate than your average sandwich.
11of 23Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus DressingView RecipeThis hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers.
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Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing
This hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers.
12of 23Vegetarian Sushi Grain BowlView RecipeSkip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.
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Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl
Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.
13of 23Veggie SandwichView RecipeThere’s no chance of getting the afternoon munchies when you fuel up with this vegan veggie sandwich filled with fiber and healthy fats, plus fruit on the side. It’ll keep you energized until dinner. Feel free to swap in your other favorite sandwich vegetables, sprouts or greens.
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Veggie Sandwich
There’s no chance of getting the afternoon munchies when you fuel up with this vegan veggie sandwich filled with fiber and healthy fats, plus fruit on the side. It’ll keep you energized until dinner. Feel free to swap in your other favorite sandwich vegetables, sprouts or greens.
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Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Rice Bowl
15of 23Cucumber, Tomato & Arugula Salad with HummusView RecipeTomatoes, cucumber, red onion and feta top arugula in this quick Greek-inspired salad. Served with whole-wheat pita and prepared hummus, it makes a filling, yet healthy lunch.
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Cucumber, Tomato & Arugula Salad with Hummus
Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and feta top arugula in this quick Greek-inspired salad. Served with whole-wheat pita and prepared hummus, it makes a filling, yet healthy lunch.
16of 23Meal-Prep Vegan Lettuce WrapsView RecipeFor these meal-prep-friendly lettuce wraps, we swap the traditional warm filling for a cold plant-based bean salad filling loaded with fresh herbs and lemon. Topping each lettuce leaf with a little quinoa before adding the filling helps to keep the lettuce from getting soggy.
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Meal-Prep Vegan Lettuce Wraps
For these meal-prep-friendly lettuce wraps, we swap the traditional warm filling for a cold plant-based bean salad filling loaded with fresh herbs and lemon. Topping each lettuce leaf with a little quinoa before adding the filling helps to keep the lettuce from getting soggy.
17of 23Green Goddess SandwichView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis green goddess sandwich is fresh and satisfying. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add a nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.
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Green Goddess Sandwich
Victor Protasio
This green goddess sandwich is fresh and satisfying. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add a nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.
18of 23Egg TartineView RecipeBruschetta meets avocado toast in this simple breakfast upgrade.
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Egg Tartine
Bruschetta meets avocado toast in this simple breakfast upgrade.
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Tea-Leaf Salad
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Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches
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Mediterranean Tuna-Spinach Salad
22of 23Spicy Ramen Cup of NoodlesView RecipeMake your own cup of instant soup at home with this vegetarian ramen recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.
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Spicy Ramen Cup of Noodles
Make your own cup of instant soup at home with this vegetarian ramen recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.
23of 23Veggie & Hummus SandwichView RecipeThis mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
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Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.
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