8 Healthy Lunch Ideas on a Budget

8 Healthy Lunch Ideas on a Budget

Ok, it’s the New Year, resolutions are in place and we’re ready to begin 2011 right. But how do we keep that commitment to weight loss when we have to go to work, and fast food eateries are so handy, speedy and low-priced?

Here are eight ideas for quick, healthy lunches that won’t blow your budget.

1. Pastas are easy – Our Baby Clam Marinara is a healthy meal delivered to your door. Just 18% fat, but it’s a hearty 10-oz serving of tasty pasta. I’m adding a 2nd pasta to this 1st recommendation. Our Portabella/Shiitake Mushroom Ravioli is besides a low-fat meal at 26% fat. These are both tasty pastas that will keep you going all afternoon. Or bring in your own!
2. Leftovers are great! – Do last night’s healthy dinner a little bigger, and bring leftovers for lunch. For instance, I like to roast a whole chicken with garlic, herbs and potatoes, carrots, and any other root vegetables in season. Pop a serving into one container and reheat in a microwave oven.
3. Salad Additions – I love grilling chicken breasts and then slice leftovers to throw into a salad for the following day. Chop your favourite vegetables, then bag the chicken slices, some diced low fat cheese and bring along a bottle of no-fat ranch dressing.
4. Cook Big! – All Over the weekend, cook up a big pot of stew or soup, and freeze it in individual parts for the week. Make two the 1st weekend so you can swap them out over the week. Then you’ll have extras and will always have a selection.
5. Baked Potato – Here’s a versatile and satisfying lunch. Bake a potato in the microwave oven, and bring in some lowfat toppings. Good options are steamed broccoli, a little portion of low-or-non fat sour cream, salsa, low fat cottage cheese, low fat flavored cream cheese (how about a smoked-salmon flavored one?) and lowfat cheddar.
6. Go Gourmet! – If you don’t need to lose weight, but want to eat gourmet frozen meals, you could sample our One Serving Meals Bundle #1 or One Serving Meals Bundle #2. The main courses are separately packaged but sold in matches, so you can eat one of the pair and leave the other in the freezer. We also have single-serving side dishes to go along with the mains. Desserts optional!
7. Pita Pocket – Stuff half a pita pocket with anything good– beans, lettuce, cabbage, radishes celery, cucumber, chicken, avocado, coleslaw, chopped nuts, feta.
8. Lettuce Wraps - Bring in anything that you would normally have in a sandwich- tuna or egg salad, lunch meats, leftover chicken, curried food, cut bratwurst. Wrap it in some nice fresh lettuce leaves with your favourite condiment.