Lunch is what helps us keep our metabolisms going, but it’s often one of the most forgotten meals, skipped over during busy days. Fortunately, there are tons of healthy but mouthwatering recipes that are easy to whip up – here are our favorites.
1. Quick Nori Roll with Cucumber and Avocado
If you’ve never made your own sushi, don’t be intimidated by these rolls. They don’t even have any seafood! With a rice, cucumber and avocado base, this veggie nori roll makes fresh vegetables tastes absolutely delectable. Play round with the veggies you include with some variety, and serve with low-sodium soy sauce.
2. Summer Sunshine Salad
This summer sunshine salad is jam-packed with sweet corn kernels, zoodles (zucchini noodles), sun gold cherry tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar and parsley, with optional herb-crusted goat cheese. The brighter the food, the better your mood! Take advantage of your local farmer’s market and make this ASAP.
3. Tuna Stuffed Avocado
This is maybe the easiest snack on this list, but one of the most filling and delicious. We’ve had tuna and avocado sandwiches before, but why not eliminate the bread all together and nom this out of an avocado shell? Garnished with jalapeno, bell peppers and cilantro. Clean-up process, gone!
4. Easy Garden Veggie Barley Soup
There aren’t many soups that are summer appropriate, but this vegan garden veggie and barley soup is approved in our books. It only takes 30 minutes to make and is loaded with veggies. Way better than a salad, and more hearty. Perfect for leftover offs and ends in the fridge, as well as frozen veggies mixed in.
5. Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This mashed chickpea salad sandwich is a curry-inspired Mediterranean lunch dream come true. Just don’t overload on the chickpeas or you might feel a little gassy. These pita pockets are nourishing and filled with vibrant flavors and textures that blend perfectly.
6. Avocado Crema Halloumi Sandwich
This sandwich is a shoutout to all the vegetarians out there. There’s nothing we adore more than avocados and cheese, and this recipe capitalizes on that shamelessly. It’s an avocado, crema and halloumi sandwich. The crema can be subbed with Greek yogurt, and is paired with an unusually meaty cheese and veggies on rustic ciabatta.
7. Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad
Cobb salad is beloved world-wide, and this grilled chicken take on it which leaves out the bacon is no different. This recipe, however, is a little more protective of your health. If you buy a pre-roasted chicken, this recipe becomes just 10 minutes to make.
8. Roasted Vegetable Buddha Bowl
We’re in an age of bowls, and loving it. Buddha Bowls are essentially healthy bowls of goodness containing good grains with the perfectly balanced blend of vegetables. They’re piled high like a Buddha “belly” – this one blends broccoli, Brussel sprouts, butternut squash, chickpeas, edamame, and more with an avocado cream dressing.
9. Raw Collard Green Wraps
Lettuce wraps are so yesterday – collard green wraps are the future. This one is filled with quinoa, mushrooms, raw beets, and matchstick sliced carrots with a peanut sauce consisting of peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar and maple syrup. These are addictive, but chock full of dark greens that are good for your soul.
10. Shakshuka
If you haven’t heard of this Israel delicatessen, it can basically be eaten for any meal in the day. This one-pot hearty tomato stew and egg dish is incredibly flavorful yet gluten-free and nutritious. Opt out of the chicken sausage if you’re not a carnivore – it won’t sacrifice any of the taste!