Too often do people make the promise to pack their own lunch, but end up going to a pizza, burrito, or fast food spot instead. Planning meals can be difficult, especially if you have to take care of other family members, be they siblings, children, spouses, or parents. It’s just as important to care for the self, especially when it comes to the food you eat. 

Lunch is often an afterthought or last minute decision for the vast majority. It’s quite uncommon to meal prep for the week, or make enough food to have leftovers for your lunch at work. Packing a refreshing, light, balanced meal doesn’t have to be a difficult task, although many people view it as such. You can grab a few ingredients and create a nutritious meal. Not only does packing a healthy lunch save you time, money, and calories, but it also increases your nutritional intake. 

Trust us when we tell you that making a lunch can be as simple as combining three ingredients. It’s incredibly easy to create healthy lunches that you look forward to eating. We hope the following ideas inspire you to avoid takeout and fast food places during your lunch. 

Baked Potato, Broccoli, And Salsa

Potatoes make for excellent meal prep options because they provide complex carbohydrates and fiber. It’s not difficult to make a baked potato either! For a quick lunch option, cut open a baked potato, drizzle with a little olive oil, and place a half-cup of cooked broccoli inside. Top with about three tablespoons of salsa and place in a container. That’s a perfectly healthy and tasty lunch! Feel free to alternate the vegetables and sauces to cater to your tastebuds. 

Avocado Toast

This is an incredibly popular breakfast and lunch item that people pay up to $17 for. That’s an insane price for a piece of bread and some avocado, with a potential fried egg on top. Get your hands on a loaf of sprouted grain bread and some ripe avocados. Toast the bread and spread half of an avocado on each slice of bread. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and perhaps some sliced tomato for extra acidity. 

Overnight Oats

If you haven’t discovered overnight oats, click here to learn about a bunch of our favorite recipes. Essentially goodness in a jar, overnight oats fill you up with fiber, protein, and carbohydrates. Add oats to a Mason jar with your choice of nut milk, some optional fruit, such as bananas or berries, a little agave nectar, screw the lid on the jar, and refrigerate overnight. Grab it out of the fridge in the morning, mix it up, and enjoy during your lunch. Add almond butter to the jar for extra protein and healthy fats. 

Quinoa, Black Beans, And Bell Pepper

This is a surprisingly filling meal that packs healthy dose of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Since quinoa is a seed, it’s perfect for anyone with gluten sensitivity. Mix one cup of cooked quinoa with a half-cup of low-sodium back beans, drained and rinsed from a can. Roughly chop one medium bell pepper (your favorite color) and throw it into the mix. Season the dish with your favorite seasonings and drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice. 

Bagged Salad, Avocado, And Walnuts

There are many people who want to meal prep salads, but it takes too long or the salad wilts after a day or so. Use bagged salads to your advantage! These bagged salads vary in textures and flavors because of the different mixes. One way to increase fullness when eating salads is to take an avocado, cube it up, and add it to the salad mix. You can also add a half-cup of walnuts to the salad and you’ll be full by the time you finish your lunch. It takes all of five minutes to get this ready to take for lunch. All you need is dressing and you’re good to go! If you’re allergic to nuts, substitute the walnuts with cooked quinoa. 

Vincent Stevens

Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.