Healthy Diet Lunch Ideas – Healthy Meal For Lunch To Lose Weight – Healthy meal ideas can vary from person to person. Some people have complex daily diets yet others follow a basic and simple diet plan.
However, there are certain situations in which you might have to take control of your diet plan and help your body become healthier by including the right kind of food items in your meals. There are different kinds of flavoring that you can add to encourage good health such as some fresh herbs (basil and mint) or some healthy spices (paprika and sage).
This article brings you some healthy meal ideas which will definitely encourage weight loss in no time.
Healthy Meal For Lunch To Lose Weight
1–5. Plant-based lunches for weight loss
Plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, are full of fiber and beneficial nutrients. They tend to be filling, and many of them are lower in calories than certain animal products and highly processed foods.
Thus, plant-based diets like vegan or vegetarian diets have been associated with weight loss in some people
1. Lentil soup
Soups are an ideal plant-based lunch option, as you can make them ahead of time and reheat them for a quick meal.
This lentil soup recipe is a complete meal in one bowl. It’s loaded with ingredients that are good to eat when you’re trying to lose weight.
Lentils provide filling protein and carbs while the veggies contribute additional fiber. Plus, lentils are a good source of iron, an important nutrient for blood health that some plant-based eaters may lack in their diets
2. Garden veggie chickpea salad sandwiches
Chickpeas are a versatile vegetarian protein. Some research suggests that chickpeas aid weight management, likely due to the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and variety of beneficial compounds they contain
The texture of chickpeas makes them very easy to smash with a fork to create a chickpea “salad” filling for sandwiches — the perfect lunch food.
This recipe for garden veggie chickpea salad sandwiches is a delicious lunch option if you’re trying to lose weight and eat a plant-based diet. If you follow a vegan diet, swap out the mayo for a vegan substitute.
3. Spicy peanut tofu Buddha bowls
Tofu is a soy-based complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids that humans need to get from foods. It’s also a source of isoflavones, which are compounds that may protect against heart disease
Some people shy away from tofu if they don’t know how to cook it or don’t like the texture, but preparing tofu that’s crispy and delicious is easy to do at home.
Try these tofu Buddha bowls for lunch. They’re made with crispy tofu, brown rice, veggies, and a spicy peanut dressing.
4. Veggie wraps
A healthy wrap is a great lunch choice, especially if you need something that you can make ahead of time to eat at your desk or in between meetings.
Fortunately, it’s really easy to make plant-based wraps. To ensure that they’re filling, delicious, and help you lose weight, choose whole wheat wraps (or use lettuce) and add a protein source, healthy sauce or spread, and plenty of vegetables.
This veggie wraps recipe uses whole wheat tortillas, hummus, carrots, cucumbers, and other veggies. The edamame and hummus provide protein, while the avocado contributes healthy fats that help you feel full.
5. Quinoa and black bean stuffed sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes make a great base for plant-based lunches. They provide energizing carbs, plenty of fiber, and the pigment beta carotene, which can help you meet your needs for vitamin A to help support your immune system
Plus, stuffed sweet potatoes can be packed up to enjoy at the office or put together quickly if you work from home. Bake the sweet potatoes and prep the filling in advance, then store them in containers in the fridge. Assemble the potatoes and reheat them when you’re ready to eat.
This recipe for stuffed sweet potatoes uses Southwest seasonings and offers tips for vegan topping alternatives if needed.
Many people find that a low carb or keto diet helps them lose weight. This style of eating involves limiting high carb foods and increasing your intake of fats and proteins.
Some research backs the potential role of low carb eating to help you lose weight, suggesting that limiting your carb intake may improve your blood sugar regulation in a way that promotes weight loss
That said, these diets may also lead to weight regain when discontinued. Also, high carb, fiber-containing whole grains may help keep you feeling fuller for longer, so a lack of carbs at lunch may cause you to feel unsatisfied soon after meals.
6. Cauliflower rice bowls
Replacing regular rice with cauliflower rice is one way to cut back on your carb intake at lunchtime, especially if you eat burrito bowls or other dishes that typically contain rice.
Using cauliflower not only lowers the carb content of the meal but also provides a ton of vitamin C. This water-soluble nutrient is important for skin health, wound healing, and many other body functions
Follow this recipe for cauliflower rice bowls for a low carb version of a burrito bowl.
7. Tuna egg salad stuffed peppers
Tuna and eggs are two affordable, high protein foods that will keep you full long after lunch.
In fact, eating eggs instead of a higher carb meal may help reduce hunger and the number of calories you consume later in the day, which can help promote weight loss
While egg and tuna salads are usually served on bread, you can stuff them into bell peppers for a low carb meal instead. Check out this easy recipe for tuna egg salad stuffed bell peppers.
8. Zucchini noodle stir-fry with chicken
This zucchini noodle stir-fry is a delicious choice to make for lunch if you’re watching your carb intake and trying to lose weight.
Zucchini noodles, or “zoodles,” resemble regular noodles but are lower in carbs. The zucchini packs fiber and micronutrients, while the chicken contributes protein to this dish.
Chicken is an excellent lean protein to eat when you’re trying to lose weight. In fact, eating chicken with a vegetable-rich diet is linked to a reduced risk of developing overweight and obesity
9. Low carb eggplant pizza
Eating more non-starchy vegetables like eggplant, often helps people lose weight. Eggplant is low in calories but high in fiber.
Using it in place of pizza crust is a great way to enjoy the flavors of pizza without consuming too many refined carbs at lunch.
Good plant-based, low carb options can be hard to find, as low carb eating often includes animal products — another great reason to keep this recipe on hand.
If you work from home or have a little time for lunch meal prep, give this easy recipe for low carb eggplant pizza a try. The recipe provides options to add more protein if you’d like.
10. Mediterranean Cobb salad
Cobb salads typically include lettuce, bacon, eggs, avocados, and a creamy dressing. They’re very filling and low in carbs, making them a good lunch option for weight loss.
This Mediterranean-inspired Cobb salad is heavy on the veggies and uses a homemade yogurt dressing instead of mayo-based dressing or store-bought ranch.
Plus, many of the ingredients offer health benefits. Eggs are rich in protein and antioxidant compounds that promote eye health, while avocados and tomatoes contribute a boost of heart-healthy nutrients like unsaturated fats and lycopene
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are both important for good blood sugar regulatio
Many people with diabetes pay attention to their carb intake at meals, as carbs can increase blood sugar levels. They may limit overall carbs or try to keep the number of carbs consistent at each meal.
11. Avocado toast with cottage cheese and tomatoes
A diabetes-friendly lunch resembles a balanced plate, containing fiber from non-starchy vegetables and complex carbs, protein, and healthy fat.
Pairing carbs with these other macronutrients is key to preventing your blood sugar from spiking, helping maintain good blood sugar and energy levels throughout the day
Avocado toast on whole grain bread can be a great base for this type of lunch. This diabetes-friendly version features protein-packed cottage cheese and fresh tomatoes to complete the meal.
12. Lemon chicken quinoa salad
Salads made with a base of whole grains make healthy lunches that are easy to pack up for work.
Though quinoa is technically a pseudocereal, it’s often grouped with whole grains since it’s nutritionally similar and has a high fiber content.
It’s also a source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a good food to add to meals for weight loss and blood sugar management
This quinoa salad gets additional protein from chicken, includes tons of non-starchy veggies, and has plenty of flavor from lemon juice and parsley.
13. Black bean soup
Black beans are a high fiber, high protein food. Eating them can help people with diabetes who are trying to lose weight.
They’re also a good source of folate, a B vitamin that’s necessary for healthy blood cells and fetal development
Making a soup with black beans is an easy and affordable lunch option. This black bean soup recipe uses veggies, canned black beans, and lots of seasonings.
Make-Ahead Lunches That Can Help You Lose Weight
If you’re a busy man like me, you can use these four easy meal choices for lunch to lose weight. I take lunch at my desk every day with me and eat it just before I have a conference call or other meetings. You can lose weight if you make healthier choices, but the key is making simple healthy meal choices and having them at your fingertips so that they are your default lunch option.
