nutrition
Healthy Lunch Recipes
Not feeling that soggy, corner shop sandwich? Or maybe last night’s leftovers are doing nothing for your appetite. Well, not to worry. We’ve got three delicious, healthy dishes that you can whip up super fast. Whether you’re lunching at home or prepping for a week at the office, these lunch ideas suit all occasions. They’re all pretty versatile too so you can add or take out certain ingredients based on what you fancy!
If you happen to give one of these dishes a go be sure to take a snap and tag us on Instagram. We’d love to see what you’ve been cooking up in the kitchen. Looking for a tasty treat for afters? Well, these Chickpea and Raspberry blondies are sure to fit the bill.
Burrito bowls
We love a good burrito. Bursting with delicious ingredients, there’s no denying that this Mexican staple packs a punch when it comes to flavour. But it can be especially high carb and high calorie too. Which is why these burrito bowls are a great alternative. Rather than wrapping up your fillings in the classic tortilla, throw them into a huge bowl dressed with salad for a healthier twist on this grab and go favourite.
1) Before you begin creating your burrito bowl, you’ll need to cook your rice and your meat (if you want to add meat). You can always opt for packet rice or pre-cooked meats for speed but remember to check the labels as these can sometimes be packed with hidden calories and salt
2) Start building your bowl – add salad or spinach to the bowl as your base. Top with rice and add in your other veggies and ingredients. Beans are great for adding protein and ensuring your bowl is extra filling. Add in rice too and toss all of the ingredients together
3) Finish by adding your sauce of choice – guacamole is great, as is sour cream. Choose low fat varieties if you opt for shop-bought sauces
Stir-fry
Originating from China, stir-frying is so quick and easy and often packed with tasty veggies so you can cram as much midday goodness in as possible. They’re perfect for picky eaters too – stir-frys are so versatile, you can add in whatever ingredients you like! Chicken, beef or, for you veggies and vegans, tofu is a great option. Mushrooms, onions, bean sprouts, green beans – the list of veg you can chuck in is endless. And, don’t forget a good splash of soy sauce for that classic stir fry flavour. It’s so simple – here’s how:
1) Add a splash of olive oil to a wok and heat on a medium heat
2) Throw in chopped onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes – you can also add chopped chilli or chilli flakes if you're a fan of heat!
3) Next, add in your meat or tofu – season with salt and pepper beforehand
4) Then, bulk up your stir fry with a huge handful of veggies – mushrooms, pak choi, broccoli, beansprouts. Spinach is also a great shout, but add in towards the end to stop it over-wilting
5) Pour in a good slug of soy sauce – hoisin sauce is also delicious, as is garlic and chilli sauce (if you want even more flavour and heat!)
6) Then, add in straight-to-wok noodles – these are great for speediness as they don’t require pre-cooking. Don’t worry if you can’t get your hands on them – any noodles will do
7) Cook for a further few minutes until the noodles are softened and then serve
Flatbread pizza
Honestly, who doesn’t love pizza?! It’s a favourite of many but is often reserved for cheat days due to the high fat, carb and calorie content. But, swap out your usual doughy, carby base for a low cal multigrain flatbread and, voila! Dominos, eat your heart out! The average multigrain flatbread is around 100 calories and is packed with fibre, making it a great option for those trying to be a little healthier but still craving all deliciousness that is pizza. Give it a go!
1) Start by topping your flatbread with tomato puree or passata
2) If, for you, no pizza is complete without a good sprinkling of cheese, then add this onto your flatbread base next – opt for reduced fat/calorie options. Mozzarella and feta are more likely to fit into your macros than, say, parmesan or cheddar
3) Next, add your topping! Spinach, mushrooms, onions – whatever you fancy! This is a great opportunity to cram in as many greens as possible so don’t be shy with the veggies. If you fancy meat, opt for leaner choices, such as turkey or chicken
4) Pop under the grill for 5-10 minutes (basically until the cheese is melted and gooey and your toppings are slightly browned
So, there you have it. Three super quick, super versatile lunches that can be whipped up at home or pre-prepared to pack up for the office. Which one is your favourite?
For more recipes and nutritional tips, head over to our blog. You can also follow us on Instagram for some delicious food snaps.
