Healthy Lunches

[NoMoreJunk]

Hello!

I've been doing the 12 week plan for nearly 2 weeks now and I'm running out of healthy lunch ideas! I've done the majority of healthy lunch ideas that I fancy from BBC Good food (love that site!) but I get bored very easily of the same thing. I need something really quick and easy to whip up to take to work. What does everyone else take?

[andrewleeone]

I know I'm very lucky in that Im self employed and only half employed at that but even when I worked I pretty much did the same. I just head for a supermarket and buy a low calorie sandwich M&S, The Co-op etc all offer sub 300 cal sandwiches so I'll allow myself 300 cal for lunch and stick to it. Stops me thinking about food!

[NoMoreJunk Maintainer 2st 7lbs Healthy BMI in reply to andrewleeone]

Thanks Andrew! I'm trying to cut down the carbs and only having them for breakfast (the headaches I've had from reducing carbs and sugars!) but I will have a look at what other things they offer!

[cutback]

I buy a salad bowl at Tesco (or some supermarket) and take some protein to go with it e.g. tuna, ham, chicken etc. Sometimes I add mayonnaise but I have to be very careful to weigh it out properly as 15g = 41 calories.

[NoMoreJunk Maintainer 2st 7lbs Healthy BMI in reply to cutback]

Thanks cutback! I'm the same with dressings - plain salad just doesn't taste as good! That's a good idea just taking a tin of tuna in or some ham. My work colleague bought in eggs today and made spinach, cherry tomato scrambled egg with smoke samon - looked scrummy! Wouldn't have thought about taking eggs to work!

[Dave1961 25kg]

Here are a couple I like - depends on your definiotion of quick I guess

BROCCOLINI BEAUTY

1 bunch broccolini

150g mixed leafy greens

1/2 avocado

1 tbsp walnuts chopped

1 tbsp pumpkin seeds

1 tbsp goji berries

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.

Steam the broccolini - 1 min 30 secs in m/wave does it for me. Throw the rest of the ingredients in a bowl, add the chopped up broccoli , dress with the vinegar and your done. I don't like salads and I LOVE this salad. You could add tuna or steamed chicken as well if you want to up the protein.

SALMON

I really like just cooking a piece of salmon and popping that with some sweet potato mash and some peas or beans in a container and its that simple. The salmon takes no time to cook.

POWER IRON SALAD

180g cooked lamb strips (takes 5 mins in a pan)

2 handfuls mixed lettuce/spinach

1 cup chopped broccoli

2 chopped celery sticks, inclueding the leaves

10 olives chopped

1 tbsp finely chopped herbs - whatever you have around

1 snall handful pumpkin seeds

30g goats feta (only discovered this recently. Can't say I was excited by the idea of goat ANYTHING but its DELICIOUS!)

Olive oil/apple cider vinegar for dressing

Combine everything together and dress with oil and vinegar

CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD

My favourite ALL TIME SALAD

Yes this takes some prep time but I just do it in front of the tele the night before and the result is SO good - you just feel like you are literally eating the essence of fresh and healthy.

1L (4 cups) water

1 brown onion, halved

2 single chicken breast fillets

1 carrot, peeled, cut into matchsticks

150g snow peas, trimmed, thinly sliced

1 red capsicum, deseeded, thinly sliced

1/2 wombok (Chinese cabbage),hard core removed, finely shredded

3 green shallots, ends trimmed, thinly sliced diagonally

1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves

Dressing

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon fish sauce

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 fresh red chilli, deseeded, chopped

Place chicken with onion into warm water and heat until a low simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Throw the snow peas and carrots in a bowl and blanche for 1 minute with boiling water.

Combine everything together, mix dressing ingredients and pour on salad.

I have a few other which are even better BUT they take a bit of work. I usually whip them up and have them for lunch AND dinner e.g. Pork, WHite Bean and Kale soup - so good

D

[NoMoreJunk Maintainer 2st 7lbs Healthy BMI in reply to Dave1961]

These sounds delicious Dave, thank you! Maybe we should start a recipe sharing thread...

[NoMoreJunk Maintainer 2st 7lbs Healthy BMI in reply to Dave1961]

Just want to say thanks Dave! I have tried the broccolini beauty and the chinese chicken salad so far...yum! I am doing the same - making them for dinner then having the other half for lunch the next day. They are so filling and satisfying!

Now just need to convince my boyfriend when he gets back - he is not a salad eater!

[ellejay1984]

Hi hun, I struggle with lunch too.

However im trying to b good and plan ahead at the beginning of each week (well, Sunday nights).

Today I've made mushroom egg white muffins and salad (muffins cooked whilst I cleaned 😉). You can use any filling you want, super easy and super healthy! My LO loves them too so its a bonus! Lots of pickled veg makes it really tasty and satisfying too x

[NoMoreJunk Maintainer 2st 7lbs Healthy BMI in reply to ellejay1984]

Thanks ellejay! I planned for dinners last week when I went shopping but not lunch, silly of me but I have also gone out and bought a (not very healthy) lunch! I will include lunches when I go shopping on Saturday. The muffins should amazing (I love anything with mushrooms in!) did you get teh recipe online?