Twenty delicious make-ahead lunch ideas that are packed with nutrition to give you energy all afternoon long.
Sundays are meal prep days in our house. My husband typically grocery shops on Saturday so that we can spend the entire next day in the kitchen cooking, singing and dancing.
Jacob recently started doing this new dance move where he bobs his head from left to right, from one shoulder to the other, to the beat of the music. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and the reason I am always grooving and blasting music..I want to see his moves.
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As I mentioned last week, one of my biggest time savers and healthy eating strategies is that I take time out on the weekends to plan out what we are having for breakfast and lunch throughout the week. People often talk about weekly meal plans for dinner but around here the first two meals of the day are often the most hectic since I’m usually out numbered by frantic, starving toddlers.
Whether you’re home with littles, sitting at your desk or eating from the car on the go, I’ve put together a list of healthy and delicious make-ahead lunch ideas to get you through your week. Not only are they more exciting than turkey on wheat but they are packed with nutrients to give you long lasting energy to get you through your day.
Pesto Egg Salad from The Healthy Maven
Moroccan Soup with Kale and Chickpeas from Foodie Crush
Quinoa Salad with Pistachios, cherries, and Honey Balsamic Kefir Dressing from Food Faith Fitness
Curried Carrot, Apple, and Peanut Soup from Well Plated
Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeno Vinaigrette from The Lemon Bowl
Smashed Chickpea & Avocado Salad Sandwich from Two Peas & Their Pod
Bacon Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper, and Feta Turkey Wrap from Neighbor Food
Brown Rice & Bean Salad with Chili Hot Sauce Dressing from Cookin’ Canuck
Mexican Chicken Posole Soup from The Lemon Bowl
Creamy Dijon Egg Salad from Running to the Kitchen
Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Apples and Almonds from Aggie’s Kitchen
Buffalo Chicken Salad Sandwiches from Chocolate Moosey
Colorful Greek Chicken Salad from Farm Fresh Eats
Beef Taco Quinoa Salad Bowl from BruCrew Life
Spinach Power Salad with Chicken and Farro from The Lemon Bowl
Sweet Potato + Black Bean (Beer) Chili from Jewhungry
Kale Chopped Salad with Berries and Freekeh (or Quinoa) from Two Healthy Kitchens
Farro Greek Salad with Feta and Dill from The Lemon Bowl
Thai Chicken Salad Wrap with Blueberries from Spoonful of Flavor
What are your tried-and-true make-ahead lunch recipes? Let me know in the comments below or tag @TheLemonBowl on Instagram to show me your #HealthyNewYear eats!
Your fork is waiting.
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Kori
My mouth is now watering big time! I’m right there with you: I feel so much more organized if I can at least have ideas for Matt and my breakfasts and lunches throughout the week. That way I can spend less time prepping for the following day and more time with him in the evenings. :) This is a phenomenal list!
Liz DellaCroce
haha YES exactly! You nailed it!!
Eveline
They all look delicious! But I will definitely try the quinoa salad with cherries and pistachios… omnom. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
One of my goals for this year is to start prepping more meals ahead of time. Lunch can be challenging because I never know where I am going to be or what I will be doing, so these are great ideas. Thank you so much for including my recipe!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes lunch really is hard – I totally get it. Keep it up and keep me posted!!
Katherine
Absolutely love this round-up! I need inspiration to get me out of the “typical lunch rut.” These all look fabulous!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad Katherine! Enjoy!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
This is such a fabulous round up! LOOOOVE all these ideas! Great idea for a post!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad Sophia! Happy New Year!
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me
Here is an area where I need some good inspiration. I plan my daughter’s lunch for school – is she packing, buying at school, what does she need and want, etc. My Husband has a complimentary provided at work and there is a salad bar so he gets a nice salad for lunch every day. But me? I don’t even think of me! I left a full time job outside the home and am now on my own from home – and I do not plan my lunches well at all. So I love these ideas and will be looking to incorporate some. Really, it’s just as easy as making sure I have some lean protein and wraps and veggies available, or having enough to toss into a salad or making up a batch of quinoa that I can use all week. Thanks for the reminder to think about ALL meals. (smacks head)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I think so often moms and wives put ourselves last (and even stay at home dads!) It’s important to fuel us or as I like to think of it – put on our air mask before helping others so that we are our best selves. :)
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me
That is well put, Liz. A great way to think about it!
Looking forward to that pistachio and cherry quinoa!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Lisa!!
She Rocks Fitness
So many awesome recipes…I want to eat them all! Thanks for sharing!
Aggie
Oh yes, it’s so nice when lunch is prepped ahead of time! Thanks so much for including my chicken salad! Such great ideas here!
Whit @ Jewhungry
Thank you so much for including me in this delicious round-up. I’m so grateful!
kim kopp {the best is yet to come}
I am HORRIBLE at taking time to make myself lunch. I pinned a few of these to {hopefully} change that very soon! :-) Thanks for the great roundup!!!!
Liz DellaCroce
You must do it girl!!!! Put your life mask on first. :)