When lunchtime comes around, it can be easy to reach for the nearest bite to eat regardless of whether it’s healthy or not. But it needn’t be that way. Lunch is an important meal of the day and gives the body a well-needed boost of energy and nutrients to keep it working at optimal levels throughout the afternoon1.
Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or need a good dose of energy, you can keep your healthy eating goals on track with a great selection of easy healthy lunch options.
Healthy lunch ideas
From vibrant fresh salads through to heartwarming soups, there’s a wealth of healthy lunch recipes that require minimal effort and are ready to go in less than 30 minutes.
You can easily find all the cooking ingredients you need to whip up a great homemade lunch.
Salads
Salads are a great lunch option as they’re easy to make and are brimming with nutrients such as fibre and powerful antioxidants providing many health benefits2. You’ll enjoy the ease at putting these together and as long as you steer clear of creamy dressings you can build a salad that’s both tasty as it is healthy.
Beans are a protein powerhouse and two great recipes to try are the Black Bean Lentil Salad3 or a Burrito Bowl with Black Beans4 that will satisfy all your protein needs.
Soups
For a speedy lunch that will keep hunger at bay, soups are the perfect fit. Soups offer a ton of health benefits including vitamins and minerals whilst also keeping you hydrated5. You can also easily batch cook at a time to have nutritious meals on hand if you’re really stuck for time.
Try to choose soups that don’t have milk or cream in their recipes to avoid higher levels of fat content along with those that have added salt and sugar. A tasty and heartwarming recipe that’s healthy and low in fat is the Spiced Lentil and Butternut Squash soup6. This dish is full of protein, fibre, and vitamins and minerals leaving you fuller for longer and more energised.
If you’re a fan of soup, check out more of our healthy soup recipes and how to make them.
Last updated: 29 April 2020
Sources
1 https://www.provitamil.com/healthier-lifestyle/the-importance-of-eating-lunch.htm
2 https://foodal.com/knowledge/paleo/9-good-reasons-to-eat-a-salad-a-day/
3 https://www.thegardengrazer.com/2014/03/black-bean-lentil-salad-with-cumin-lime.html
4 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/burrito-bowl-chipotle-black-beans
5 https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/health-wellbeing/diet-nutrition/nutrition/10-reasons-eat-soup
6 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/spiced-lentil-butternut-squash-soup
