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Photo: Diana Chistruga
This month, make lunch easy with these recipes. With five ingredients or less, these lunches are simple to make and are flavorful, healthy choices for a midday meal. Recipes like our Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich and Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna are satisfying options you’ll look forward to all month long.
01of 24Avocado, Tomato & Chicken SandwichView RecipeIn this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.
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Avocado, Tomato & Chicken Sandwich
View Recipe
In this healthy chicken sandwich recipe, the avocado is mashed to create a healthy creamy spread.
02of 24Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & TunaView RecipeThis power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens it enough so you don’t need to massage or cook it to make it tender.
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Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna
This power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens it enough so you don’t need to massage or cook it to make it tender.
03of 24Strawberry & Cream Cheese SandwichView RecipeSliced strawberries and reduced-fat cream cheese come together in a sandwich for this quick and healthy lunchbox treat.
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Strawberry & Cream Cheese Sandwich
Sliced strawberries and reduced-fat cream cheese come together in a sandwich for this quick and healthy lunchbox treat.
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Egg Drop Soup with Instant Noodles, Spinach & Scallions
05of 24Sun-Dried Tomato-Tuna PaniniView RecipeDiana ChistrugaSun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella give this easy tuna sandwich recipe Italian flair. Serve with a green salad with a red-wine vinaigrette for a light lunch or dinner.
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Sun-Dried Tomato-Tuna Panini
Diana Chistruga
Sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella give this easy tuna sandwich recipe Italian flair. Serve with a green salad with a red-wine vinaigrette for a light lunch or dinner.
06of 24White Bean & Avocado ToastView RecipeMashed avocado and white beans make for a fiber-rich and creamy topping, the perfect partner for a crispy slice of toast. Try it for a quick breakfast or snack.
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White Bean & Avocado Toast
Mashed avocado and white beans make for a fiber-rich and creamy topping, the perfect partner for a crispy slice of toast. Try it for a quick breakfast or snack.
07of 24Peanut Butter-Banana English MuffinView RecipePeanut butter and banana are the original power couple. Top a simple toasted English muffin with the duo, then sprinkle everything with a hit of ground cinnamon for a healthy breakfast of champions.
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Peanut Butter-Banana English Muffin
Peanut butter and banana are the original power couple. Top a simple toasted English muffin with the duo, then sprinkle everything with a hit of ground cinnamon for a healthy breakfast of champions.
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3-Ingredient Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Carolyn Hodges
09of 24Quick Creamy Tomato Cup-of-SoupView RecipeThis 3-ingredient easy soup recipe is perfect for a satisfying and healthy afternoon snack or a quick lunch.
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Quick Creamy Tomato Cup-of-Soup
This 3-ingredient easy soup recipe is perfect for a satisfying and healthy afternoon snack or a quick lunch.
10of 24Turkey Apple Cheddar SandwichView RecipeIt only takes 5 minutes to make this healthy sandwich with whole-wheat bread and the classic combination of Cheddar cheese and apples that your kids will love.
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Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich
It only takes 5 minutes to make this healthy sandwich with whole-wheat bread and the classic combination of Cheddar cheese and apples that your kids will love.
11of 24Cucumber SandwichView RecipeThe English cucumber sandwich gets a healthy fiber bump with sprouted whole-grain bread. This easy open-face sandwich recipe is a great healthy snack or packable lunch idea.
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Cucumber Sandwich
The English cucumber sandwich gets a healthy fiber bump with sprouted whole-grain bread. This easy open-face sandwich recipe is a great healthy snack or packable lunch idea.
12of 24Everything Bagel Avocado ToastView RecipeGet all the flavor of an everything bagel married with the creaminess of avocado toast in one healthy breakfast. Just toast, top, sprinkle and go for this quick morning meal when you need to get out the door fast. Want to take it up a notch? Top with a poached or fried egg.
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Everything Bagel Avocado Toast
Get all the flavor of an everything bagel married with the creaminess of avocado toast in one healthy breakfast. Just toast, top, sprinkle and go for this quick morning meal when you need to get out the door fast. Want to take it up a notch? Top with a poached or fried egg.
13of 24Chopped 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.
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Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette
15of 24Green Goddess Quinoa Bowls with Arugula & ShrimpView RecipeWe’re taking advantage of all the healthy items you can find at your local specialty grocery store to create these healthy meal-prep lunches. To add extra protein (while minimizing prep time), we’re using fully cooked quinoa and cooked shrimp, both of which you can find in the freezer section. With a few more simple items, including bottled salad dressing, you’ll have all the ingredients you need to make these high-protein green goddess salad bowls in under 20 minutes.
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Green Goddess Quinoa Bowls with Arugula & Shrimp
We’re taking advantage of all the healthy items you can find at your local specialty grocery store to create these healthy meal-prep lunches. To add extra protein (while minimizing prep time), we’re using fully cooked quinoa and cooked shrimp, both of which you can find in the freezer section. With a few more simple items, including bottled salad dressing, you’ll have all the ingredients you need to make these high-protein green goddess salad bowls in under 20 minutes.
16of 243-Ingredient Chickpeas with Kale & Sun-Dried TomatoesView RecipeCarolyn A. Hodges, R.D.Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes pull double duty in this chickpeas and kale recipe. Use the oil from the jar to cook the kale, then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes to add flavor and texture to the dish.
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3-Ingredient Chickpeas with Kale & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Carolyn A. Hodges, R.D.
Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes pull double duty in this chickpeas and kale recipe. Use the oil from the jar to cook the kale, then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes to add flavor and texture to the dish.
17of 24Avocado-Egg ToastView RecipeTry it once and we think you’ll agree: Topping avocado toast with an egg is a near-perfect breakfast.
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Avocado-Egg Toast
Try it once and we think you’ll agree: Topping avocado toast with an egg is a near-perfect breakfast.
18of 24Sesame Instant Ramen Noodles with Broccoli & Soft-Boiled EggView RecipeJazz up basic ramen noodles with toasted sesame oil, quick-cooked broccoli and a jammy soft-boiled egg. To cut back on sodium, look for ramen varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.
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Sesame Instant Ramen Noodles with Broccoli & Soft-Boiled Egg
Jazz up basic ramen noodles with toasted sesame oil, quick-cooked broccoli and a jammy soft-boiled egg. To cut back on sodium, look for ramen varieties with less than 600 mg sodium per serving or use less of the seasoning packet.
19of 24Falafel Tabbouleh Bowls with TzatzikiView RecipeMeal-prepping a week’s worth of lunches doesn’t need to take hours in the kitchen. These Greek-inspired meal-prep bowls can be prepared in just 10 minutes and only require 4 ingredients–greens, falafel, tabbouleh and tzatziki. We love going to our local specialty grocery store for fast shortcut ingredients like these. The high-fiber falafel and tabbouleh will help to keep you feeling satisfied all afternoon.
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Falafel Tabbouleh Bowls with Tzatziki
Meal-prepping a week’s worth of lunches doesn’t need to take hours in the kitchen. These Greek-inspired meal-prep bowls can be prepared in just 10 minutes and only require 4 ingredients–greens, falafel, tabbouleh and tzatziki. We love going to our local specialty grocery store for fast shortcut ingredients like these. The high-fiber falafel and tabbouleh will help to keep you feeling satisfied all afternoon.
20of 24Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad with ChickenView RecipeIn this healthy copycat of a takeout salad favorite we combine precooked (or leftover) chicken and poppy seed dressing with fresh greens, strawberries and goat cheese for an easy throw-together meal that’s ready in 10 minutes.
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Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad with Chicken
In this healthy copycat of a takeout salad favorite we combine precooked (or leftover) chicken and poppy seed dressing with fresh greens, strawberries and goat cheese for an easy throw-together meal that’s ready in 10 minutes.
21of 24Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & GreensView RecipeGarlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that’s low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.
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Hearty Tomato Soup with Beans & Greens
Garlicky kale and creamy white beans elevate simple canned tomato soup into a 10-minute lunch or dinner that really satisfies. Use a soup with tomato pieces for a heartier texture. Look for a brand that’s low- or reduced-sodium, with no more than 450 mg sodium per serving.
22of 24Spinach & Egg Scramble with RaspberriesView RecipeJen CauseyThis quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines protein-packed eggs and superfood raspberries with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-rich spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and keep you going through the morning.
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Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries
Jen Causey
This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines protein-packed eggs and superfood raspberries with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-rich spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and keep you going through the morning.
23of 24Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein ShakeView RecipeThis creamy high-protein shake will keep you satisfied for hours and tastes like a chocolate-peanut butter banana milkshake. You don’t even need to add protein powder, thanks to the naturally occurring protein in the soymilk, Greek yogurt and peanut butter.
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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein Shake
This creamy high-protein shake will keep you satisfied for hours and tastes like a chocolate-peanut butter banana milkshake. You don’t even need to add protein powder, thanks to the naturally occurring protein in the soymilk, Greek yogurt and peanut butter.
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3-Ingredient Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Chickpeas
Carolyn A. Hodges, RD
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