Healthy Lunch Recipes For a Month (2024)

By Jenny Sugar

Updated on 11/29/2017 at 8:05 PM

Healthy Lunch Recipes For a Month (1)

Counting calories and planning out your meals is a surefire way to drop pounds. To help, we've created a plan that maps out healthy lunches for an entire month. It maps out four weeks, Monday through Friday, with each day's meal consisting of 400 calories or fewer. There's a theme for each week to keep your taste buds from getting bored, complete with simple recipes you can whip up the night before. Skip the takeout, and by the end of a month, your midday meal will be the reason you're dancing on the scale.

Week 1: Soup and Salads

Note: Click highlighted calorie count to get the recipe.

Monday: Bowl of butternut squash lentil soup (253 calories), one slice of whole wheat bread (100 calories), and half a cup of grapes (52 calories): 405 calories

Tuesday: Apple and cabbage salad (289 calories) with half a cup cooked quinoa (111 calories): 400 calories

Wednesday: Bowl of bean and sweet potato soup (288 calories) and easy kale salad made with two cups of baby kale (35 calories), half cup of cucumbers (8 calories), and six cherry tomatoes (18 calories), marinated with two tablespoons of Annie's Raspberry Vinaigrette (40 calories): 389 calories

Thursday: Thai citrus chicken salad (200 calories) with one banana (105 calories) and one of tablespoon peanut butter (95 calories): 400 calories

Friday: Spicy sweet potato salad (270 calories) with a bowl of broccoli arugula soup (129 calories: 399 calories

Week 2: Meat-Based

Monday: Pepper stuffed with ground turkey and tomatoes (285 calories) and one apple (93 calories: 378 calories

Tuesday: Tortilla-less soup (194 calories) with half a cup of cooked brown rice (108 calories) and a pear (103 calories): 405 calories

Wednesday: Turkey spinach burger (261 calories) with 18 baby carrots (63 calories) and two tablespoons of hummus (70 calories): 394 calories

Thursday: Fresh burrito bowl with grilled chicken (350 calories) and half a cup of fresh blueberries (42 calories): 392 calories

Friday: Spicy chicken chili (324 calories) with two cups of sliced cucumber (32 calories) and two tablespoons of yogurt dill dip (20 calories): 376 calories

Week 3: Sandwiches and Wraps

Monday: Low-cal Greek yogurt chicken salad (139 calories) on a whole wheat english muffin (120 calories) with a side salad of two cups of spinach (14 calories), half a cup of grated carrots (23 calories), half a cup of broccoli (15 calories), half a cup of diced red pepper (19 calories), and half a cup of cucumber (8 calories), topped with half a tablespoon of sunflower seeds (23 calories) and two tablespoons of Annie's Gingerly Vinaigrette (40 calories): 401 calories

Tuesday: Spinach feta wrap (252 calories) with a 4.4-ounce serving of low-fat cottage cheese (90 calories) and one cup of diced cantaloupe (53 calories): 395 calories

Wednesday: Half a black bean and sweet potato wrap (236 calories) with an easy kale salad made with two cups of baby kale (35 calories), half a cup of cucumbers (8 calories), six cherry tomatoes (18 calories), and one quarter cup of shelled edamame (50 calories), marinated with two tablespoons of Annie's Raspberry Vinaigrette (40 calories): 387 calories

Thursday: Sweet potato black bean veggie burger: 367 calories

Friday: Turkey sandwich made with two slices of whole wheat bread (200 calories), two slices of oven roasted turkey breast (60 calories), one slice of swiss cheese (106 calories), three green-leaf lettuce leaves (2 calories), two slices of tomato (7 calories), and one teaspoon of mustard (3 calories): 378 calories

Week 4: Vegetarian

Monday: Chickpea coconut curry with sweet potatoes and coconut rice: 397 calories

Tuesday: Vegan bolognese (257 calories) with one apple (93 calories) and seven almonds (49 calories): 399 calories

Wednesday: Quesadilla made with one whole wheat wrap (130 calories), one ounce of shredded monterey jack cheese (114 calories), half a cup of black beans (110 calories), half a cup of diced tomato (16 calories), one cup of spinach (7 calories), and two tablespoons of salsa (10 calories): 387 calories

Thursday: Cabbage hemp salad: 381 calories

Friday: Homemade mac 'n' cheese (285 calories) with a side salad of two cups of spinach (14 calories), half a cup of grated carrots (23 calories), half a cup of broccoli (15 calories), half a cup of diced red pepper (19 calories), and half a cup of cucumber (8 calories), topped with two tablespoons of Annie's Gingerly Vinaigrette (40 calories): 404 calories

  • Lunch
  • Weight Loss
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Healthy Eating Tips
Healthy Lunch Recipes For a Month (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest thing to eat for lunch? ›

Centering your lunch on protein and deep green vegetables is the healthiest way to go. Fresh spinach, albacore tuna, chopped almonds, tomatoes and avocados with a low-calorie dressing is a delicious option to add to your lunch repertoire.

What is the unhealthiest lunch? ›

Worst Restaurant Meals
  • Ham and Cheese Omelet. 1/15. The Count: Approximately 512 calories, 37 grams of fat, 1,277 milligrams of sodium. ...
  • Chicken and Waffles. 2/15. ...
  • Bacon Double Cheeseburger. 3/15. ...
  • Baby Back Ribs (Full Rack) 4/15. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo. 5/15. ...
  • Pepperoni Stromboli. 6/15. ...
  • General Tso's Chicken. 7/15. ...
  • Beef Chimichangas. 8/15.
Mar 16, 2024

How do I create a monthly meal plan? ›

Meal Planning For Beginners In 6 Steps
  1. Step One: Look At Your Calendar. ...
  2. Step Two: Check Your Pantry/Freezer. ...
  3. Step Three: Choose Recipes. ...
  4. Step Four: Plug Recipes/Meals Into Your Planner. ...
  5. Step Five: Make A Grocery List. ...
  6. Step Six: Go Shopping!
Jul 20, 2022

Is it OK to meal prep for 7 days? ›

Make a meal plan of about four days of safe storage in the fridge and about four months of safe storage in the freezer. Watch for changes (smell, color, texture, and mold) to your meal prep food as a sign that it's gone bad. If you're unsure if food has spoiled: when in doubt, throw it out.

How do beginners meal prep for weight loss? ›

If you're new to meal prep, start by prepping just a few meals a week. Focus on nutritious options for meals when it's harder for you to eat healthy. Set aside an hour or two for meal prep day, make a grocery list from recipes found online, and shop the day or two before.

What to eat instead of sandwiches for lunch? ›

Healthy lunch ideas for work that aren't sandwiches
  • Butternut squash, apple and wild rice soup. This soup is comfort in a bowl. ...
  • Oven roasted falafel. ...
  • Bistro chicken pasta salad. ...
  • Three grain salad with goat cheese. ...
  • Artichoke and spinach rotini salad with tuna. ...
  • Lunchbox granola bar.

What is the best meal to lose belly fat? ›

Studies indicate that a diet rich in high-protein foods, such as eggs, fish, seafood, legumes, nuts, meat, and dairy results in overall less abdominal fat, more satiety, and an increased metabolic function. Adding fiber-rich foods to meals is also key to keeping off belly fat.

Can I eat salad everyday for lunch to lose weight? ›

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

What do healthy people eat for lunch? ›

Here's What Real Healthy People Actually Eat For Lunch
  • Stuffed Ranchero Sweet Potato. ...
  • Vegetable Grits. ...
  • Egg and Avocado Sandwich. ...
  • Skillet Bananas with Coconut and Chocolate Chips. ...
  • Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce. ...
  • Salad with Chicken, Cheese, Carrots, Hummus, and Crackers. ...
  • Chopped Quinoa Salad with Cranberries.
May 16, 2015

What is the best lunch idea? ›

Quick Homemade Lunch Ideas for Adults
  • Tuna Salad Sandwich. For lunch ideas for adults that don't take much time, a tuna sandwich is your best friend. ...
  • Chicken Salad. If fish isn't your style, make a chicken salad instead. ...
  • Eggplant Sandwich. ...
  • Club Sandwich. ...
  • Chickpea Salad Sandwich. ...
  • White Bean Salad. ...
  • Falafel Pita.
Jan 10, 2024

What healthy snacks can I eat? ›

  • Mixed nuts. Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack, providing the perfect balance of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. ...
  • Red bell pepper with guacamole. ...
  • Greek yogurt and mixed berries. ...
  • Apple slices with peanut butter. ...
  • Cottage cheese and fruit. ...
  • Celery sticks with cream cheese. ...
  • Kale chips. ...
  • Dark chocolate and almonds.

What is a healthy lunch fast food? ›

8 healthy fast food picks for when you're eating on the go
  • Dunkin: Wake-Up Wrap. ...
  • Starbucks: Tomato and Mozzarella on Focaccia. ...
  • Panera Bread: Strawberry Poppyseed Salad with Chicken. ...
  • Subway: 6-inch Veggie Delite Sandwich. ...
  • Burger King: Impossible Whopper. ...
  • Taco Bell: Soft Taco Supreme. ...
  • Chipotle: Lifestyle Bowl.
Aug 5, 2023

Is it okay to skip lunch to lose weight? ›

Bottom line: skipping meals rarely results in weight loss for the long term and it can negatively impact your metabolism. So, consider waking a few minutes earlier to fit in a quick breakfast before your busy day gets away from you. Confused about what to eat, how much or when?

What are the top 20 healthiest foods? ›

The top 20 best foods for good health include spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, blueberries, oranges, almonds, walnuts, avocado, salmon, tuna, eggs, Greek yogurt, quinoa, brown rice, lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.

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