Quick, Healthy Lunch Ideas

Those who don't have time to get their lunch together for work often go to a vending machine or fast food restaurant to get a quick lunch before the lunch break is over. Those foods are usually not healthy and packed with loads of calories, fat and/or sugar. Using some of the following ideas may help you be better prepared to have a healthy lunch, even when you are running late.

Veggie Roll Up

This is another healthy lunch that can be put together quickly. Spread cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing or your favorite spread onto a tortilla. Top with shredded carrots, broccoli and onions - or any other toppings you prefer - for a simple healthy lunch.

A Quick Healthy Sandwich?

Who doesn't love a peanut butter sandwich? You can make it healthier by using a tortilla - instead of bread - and adding some fruit.

Using this idea, you simply need to have the ingredients handy so you can easily find them. If you are having one of those days when you don't have your lunch prepared, grab the following items and toss gently into your lunch bag: peanut butter, a banana and a tortilla for a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Don't forget to take something to spread the peanut butter or you might be using your fingers.

For those who don't like banana's, try a fruit that you prefer. Consider a peanut butter and apple sandwich or maybe a peanut butter and sliced pears sounds better to you.

Fruit Salads are Sweet & Healthy

If you crave sweets and often find yourself visiting the vending machine for a candy bar, consider taking a fruit salad for your lunch or snack. You can prepare it the night before if you don't normally have time to prepare lunch before work. Once you have all of your fruit in the bowl, add a few drops of lemon juice to prevent the fruit from turning brown.

When you are ready to leave for work, your healthy lunch is ready and all you have to do is take it from the refrigerator and be on your way. My personal favorite fruit salad includes apples, strawberries, blueberries, coconut, raisins and sunflower seeds drizzled with a little honey or agave. I also add chia seeds occasionally.

If you have fruit available, but were not able to prepare your lunch, there is nothing wrong with having a mono meal of apples, bananas or other fruit to serve as a quick, simple and healthy lunch.

Hummus

Grab some carrots, celery or other vegetables or flax crackers to go along with the Hummus.

Create a Different Taste by Changing Ingredients in Your Salad

There are so many ideas for salads: spinach, lettuce, kale, radishes, jalapenos, green or red peppers, carrots, raisins, apple, orange, pineapple, sunflower seeds, banana peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, nuts, flax seeds and olives are only a few of the healthy foods that can go in a salad.

Make a Cucumber Boat

Split a cucumber in half, remove seeds, fill the "boat" with your favorite dip. Add zucchini, celery or other topping of your choice.

Ideas That Can Help Speed Up Lunch Preparation

Doing as much prep as soon as you get home from the grocery store can prepare you for those days when you are running late. With a little planning, you can get your healthy lunch from your refrigerator and walk out the door instead of running so you won't be late to work. We know that stress causes us to age, so there is an added benefit to having a healthy lunch ready to go.