Bored of always having the same old lunch? It’s easy to get into a habit of always eating the same things. So in this blog we will show you some healthy packed lunch ideas which are suitable whether you are at school, university or work! Packed lunches are also a great way to save money, and reduce food packaging waste!
Healthy Packed Lunch Meals
Sesame Chicken Noodles (2 servings)
If you have some leftover roast chicken to use, this is a great packed lunch idea. You can add the ingredients to your preference, and it only takes around 10 minutes to make!
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 lime , juiced
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 2 roasted garlic cloves
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp chilli flakes , plus extra to serve
- 200g cooked rice noodles
- 200g leftover roast chicken
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 carrot , grated
- ½ cucumber sliced
You can also add some mint leaves if you would like.
Instructions:
Get a large bowl and add in the tahini, lime juice, soy sauce, flesh from the roasted garlic, sesame oil and chilli flakes.
Whisk all of these ingredients together, adding water until it forms a creamy dressing.
Then add in the roast chicken, noodles, carrot and aubergine. Mix all of this together and then add your cucumber slices and mint (if you desire). Now you can pop it into containers ready for your packed lunch!
Asian Chicken Salad (2 servings)
This Asian chicken salad is super tasty if you love zingy flavours!
Ingredients:
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- zest and juice ½ lime (about 1 tbsp)
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 100g bag salad leaves
- large handful coriander chopped
- ¼ red onion , thinly sliced
- ½ chilli , deseeded and thinly sliced
- pomegranate seeds (as much as you like!)
Instructions:
Cover your chicken in cold water, and boil for 10 minutes.
Once finished, remove from pot and shred with a fork. Now get a bowl and add the fish sauce, lime zest, sugar and juice until the sugar dissolves.
Place the salad leaves and coriander into your packed lunch container, placing the chicken, onion, pomegranate seeds and chilli on top.
Get another container for the dressing you made, mixing it through your salad when you’re ready to eat!
Carrot and Ginger Soup (4-6 servings)
Soup is a great healthy packed lunch option, as it is healthy and filling! And this carrot and ginger soup is delicious!
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped finely
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 1.5kg carrots, chopped
- 2 litres vegetable stock
- Zest and juice of half a orange
- Natural yoghurt and coriander leaves to serve
Instructions:
Heat your olive oil in a large pan at a medium-high heat and fry the onion for around 10 minutes until soft.
Add in your garlic and 1 and a half tablespoons of the ginger you grated and fry for another minute.
Then add your carrots, stock and orange zest. Bring to the boil and turn the heat down to low and let simmer for 45 minutes, until carrots are tender.
Stir in your remaining orange juice and ginger. Now you can blend up your soup using a hand blender.
Once blended, season and add your coriander leaves and some yoghurt on top. Pour your soup into a thermal flask before you head to work to keep it warm.
Avocado Tuna Salad/Wraps (4 servings)
This avocado tuna salad is delicious, and you can even make it into wraps if you’d like! It is also quick to throw together with no cooking required!
Ingredients:
- 140 g tuna, 2 cans, drained
- 1 large avocado, diced
- sweetcorn, as desired
- 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
- diced cucumber, as desired
- ¼ cup red onion (35 g), finely chopped
- sprinkle of feta cheese
- ¼ cup dijon mustard (60 g)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- salt, as desired
- pepper, as desired
- 4 whole wheat tortillas (if making into wraps)
Instructions:
If you are making a salad, simply add all of your ingredients into a bowl and add your seasonings. If you want to make wraps instead, follow this method:
Get a large bowl, and add in your tuna and avocado. Mix together using a fork until combined.
Then add in your red onion, celery, sweetcorn, cucumber, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix it all together to combine.
Lay out your tortilla on a plate. Scoop out a quarter of your tuna mixture into the middle of your tortilla.
Top with your feta cheese and fold your tortilla to create your wrap. And you’re done! Alternatively if you don’t like tuna, you can made chicken avocado wraps instead.
Moroccan Chicken Pockets (1 serving)
These Moroccan chicken pockets make a nice change from your regular sandwiches, and they are easy to make!
Ingredients:
- Pitta bread
- Shredded chicken breast, without skin
- Handful dried apricots
- Handful of parsley
- Greek yoghurt
- Shredded iceburg lettuce
Instructions:
Chop up your dried apricots and mix this together in a bowl with your shredded chicken, parsley and yoghurt.
Slice open your pitta bread along the side. Stuff half your pitta with the lettuce, and half with your chicken mixture.
Place in your lunch box and enjoy when it’s time! Alternatively you can use BBQ or chargrilled chicken for extra flavour.
Salmon Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- Salmon
- Pasta (any type you prefer)
- Baby broccoli
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Dijon mustard (or wholegrain)
- Rocket
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Lemon
Instructions:
Cook your salmon under the grill for 10-12 minutes.
Then boil the pasta in a pot for 10-12 minutes. Chop up your vegetables.
Three minutes before your pasta is ready, add the baby broccoli to the pot.
Once you have finished cooking the pasta, add it to a bowl with the rest of your ingredients. Mix them all together until combined. Now you can empty into your lunch container to enjoy later!
And of course, we shouldn’t forget about desserts! Here are some healthy dessert ideas!
Healthy Packed Lunch Desserts
And of course, we shouldn’t forget about desserts! Here are some healthy dessert ideas!
Fruit and Yoghurt Parfait
You can’t go wrong with some delicious fruit and yoghurt! What fruit you include is entirely up to you. We like to go with a berry theme of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. You can also add in some nuts for extra crunch!
Healthy Peanut Butter Fudge (serving: 16 bars)
Ingredients:
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup of coconut oil
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
Instructions:
Microwave the chocolate chips for around 30 seconds and then stir.
And then add your peanut butter to the same bowl and return to the microwave for a further 30 seconds.
Add your coconut oil and microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir until combined and then mix in your cocoa powder.
After everything is combined, pour this mixture into pan. Melt a few more tablespoons of peanut butter to drizzle over the fudge mixture. And if you want to create a pattern you can use a knife across the peanut butter lines.
Finally, freeze your fudge for around an hour. Once done, remove from fridge and allow your fudge to sit for a few minutes. You can then cut it into pieces and pop some into your lunchbox for a healthy treat!
Healthy Banana Cookies
These cookies are perfect if you are a fan of bananas, and are super easy to make!
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas (the riper the sweeter)
- 1 cup quick or rolled oats
- 3-4 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- dried figs and cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Then mash up your bananas in a bowl and mix in your oats.
Add in your peanut butter and walnuts and make sure these are combined. You can also add in some dried figs and/or cinnamon if you want something extra.
Spoon your mixture onto a baking tray (this should make around 12 cookies) and bake for 15 minutes. The cookies should turn a dark brown colour once baked.
Place in your fridge and then pop them into your lunchbox in the morning!
Chocolate Dipped Fruit
This is a simple yet effective way to get in one of your 5-a-day whilst still satisfying your chocolate cravings! It is up to you whichever fruit you choose to use, but we have found that banana slices, strawberries and orange wedges work well and taste great! Simply melt some chocolate (you can use dark chocolate to be healthier), dip in your fruit pieces, and refrigerate until the chocolate solidifies.
We hope that you found some ideas that you like! Let us know in the comments what healthy packed lunch you made! Check out our other blog post here where we show you some easy ice lolly recipes!
Tags: diet, exercise, fitness, health, healthylifestyle, lunch, selfcare, wellness