There are so many Healthy quick lunch ideas for college students, that you’ll forget that you ever had a sad desk lunch or a sad dorm room lunch. It’s one thing to make yourself a healthy taco for lunch, but it’s completely different to make a huge batch of them ahead or the week and saving them in containers. So not only will you save yourself time, but money as well.
Healthy Quick Lunch Ideas For College Students
Forget those supermarket sandwiches and make your own lunch for University with these cheap and easy student lunch ideas.
They’re great for either a quick bite at home or something to take in advance and take with you to classes or just out and about.
Vegan Hummus and Veggie Wrap
This quick and simple wrap recipe makes for a great vegan lunch idea.
Turkey Avocado and Sweetcorn Salad
This easy Cajun turkey (or chicken) salad makes for a healthy meal that is far from boring.
Tasty Chicken Burrito Rice
Make the evening before for lunch the next day. Great on its own or you can enjoy in a burrito.
The Ultimate Tuna Salad
This is the ultimate recipe for a quick, filling and most importantly (to me and you) tasty tuna salad with chickpeas and sweetcorn.
Cajun Chicken & Avocado Salad Wrap
These delicious chicken and avocado salad wraps are super delicious and easy to make.
Loaded Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Baked Potato
Combine two all time favourites with this loaded BLT baked potato.
Delicious Vegan ‘Tuna’ Melt
A vegan ‘tuna’ melt makes for a delicious and easy meal.
Vegan roasted vegetables
Cook these roasted veggies in advance and enjoy for lunch with with hummus, sliced avocado, fresh parsley or a drizzle of tahini.
Quick Tasty Halloumi Salad
Tasty Halloumi Salad: A quick healthy halloumi salad using simple ingredients, it can be made in no time.
Chicken and Spinach Ciabatta Pizzas
These Chicken and Spinach Ciabatta Pizzas make for a take just minutes and make for a quick and tasty snack.
Chicken and cheese quesadillas
A yummy quick meal that will make use of leftover chicken.
Strawberry and Chicken Salad
A healthy summery salad with chicken, bacon, avocado, blue cheese and strawberries.
Scrummy Bacon Salad
Here’s a super quick salad recipe that’s almost completely healthy
Healthy Turkey Chilli
An easy one-pan Spicy and healthy turkey chilli that will last for days and makes for a tasty lunch.
Simple and quick Turkey and Avocado sandwich
A delicious, healthy and quick open sandwich with turkey, tomato and avocado.
Delicious Vegan ‘Tuna’ Melt
A vegan ‘tuna’ melt makes for a delicious and easy meal.
Tuna, Egg, Broccoli and Avocado Salad Box
This Tuna, Egg, Broccoli and Avocado Salad makes for a super healthy student recipe.
‘Walking taco’
This easy Mexican style-feast is trivial to make, requires no clean up and makes for a great lunchtime meal.
Healthy Crispy Chicken and Avocado Wraps
These toasted chicken and avocado wraps are not only healthy, they take just 10 minutes.
7 Healthy College Lunch Ideas
Eating healthy while studying in college can be a real tough challenge. These healthy college lunches are perfect for college students who are looking to make some delicious, nutritious and yummy meals.
Summer is over, and it’s time to head back to college. And as you know, college is so busy.
You’re juggling classes, tutorials, and maybe, a part-time job. And we can’t forget about sports, hanging out with friends, and parties.
There’s so much to do and so little time to do it. So, it’s easy to grab some fast food for lunch.
But even though it’s yummy, it’s often unhealthy. And it also gets really expensive – fast.
That’s why I’m sharing 27 Healthy College Ideas. Not only are they good for you, but they’re also tasty too.
Let’s dig right in!
1. Avocado Wrap
Don’t have time to sit down for lunch? Have my Avocado Wraps.
They’re perfect for eating on the run. Just grab one or two and put them in your backpack.
They’re creamy, bright, and full of flavor. The nuttiness of the pesto is balanced with the creaminess of the avocado and Greek Yogurt.
The cucumbers make the wraps so refreshing. And the fresh dill adds a nice touch of freshness – so make sure you don’t leave it out.
Want to keep these wraps light? You can use a low-calorie or low-carb tortilla.
These multigrain tortillas contain only 15 calories each. They’re also low in carbs yet high in fiber.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 244
- Fats: 13g
- Protein: 6.1g
- Carbs: 27g
- Fiber: 4.4g
- Sugar: 1.4g
2. Chicken Salad
I enjoy Chicken Salad sandwiches as I’m sure many of you do too. But all those carbs can make you doze off in class.
And if you’re trying to get straight As, that’s a No-No.
This Chicken Salad gives you all the yumminess – without all those pesky carbs. In fact, one serving provides just 3 grams of net carbs.
It’s fresh, creamy, and tastes fantastic. That’s because you’re using 4 different spices to kick up the flavor.
And the fresh parsley and thyme amp up the flavor even more. Meanwhile, the toasted almonds add a nice crunch factor. Yum!
This Chicken Salad is yummy the way it is. But if you prefer, you can serve it on lettuce leaves.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 353
- Fats: 28g
- Protein: 19g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
3. Curried Cauliflower Soup
Now that summer’s over, winter is close by. And all that snow and ice makes you want to hibernate.
This Curried Cauliflower Soup is perfect for those cold, dreary days. It’s delicious, nourishing, and so comforting.
You won’t believe it’s made with cauliflower. By roasting the cauliflower first, you take away the bitterness.
The curry powder and turmeric add warmth and fragrance. And the coconut milk makes the soup extra creamy.
Besides adding sweetness to the soup, cauliflower is good for you too. It’s packed with Vitamin C, which is vital for an excellent immune system.
And it is rich in sulforaphane which is good for your heart. It also contains choline which supports a healthy metabolism.
So eat up that cauliflower.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 237
- Fats: 18g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbs: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
4. Quinoa Salad
Do you dream of warmer climes when it’s cold outside? Then give this Quinoa Salad a try.
It’s light, vibrant, and tasty. Green and red bell peppers add natural sweetness.
And the avocado adds a pleasant creaminess. Meanwhile, the cucumbers make this salad so refreshing.
It’s like summer in your mouth.
Besides adding texture, quinoa is very nutritious too. It’s packed with manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus.
So, it’s excellent for your bones. And it contains a ton of protein which fills you up.
What’s more, it’s gluten-free too. If you’d like to get some quinoa, you can get some here.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 174
- Fats: 10g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
5. Chicken Salad Wrap
Want to ace your college exams? Then get your workout routine on.
By exercising regularly, you may increase your GPA by an entire point. But after a pre-lunch workout, you’re probably feeling pretty hungry.
Your muscles are also sore as well too. That’s where my Chicken Salad Wrap comes in handy.
It’s packed with protein which helps your muscles recover. And it tastes pretty good as well, if I may say so myself.
The honey adds a nice touch of sweetness. And the Dijon mustard adds a pleasant heat.
The heat is offset by the coolness of the avocado and Greek Yogurt. Meanwhile, the celery and lettuce add the perfect amount of crunch. It’s a party in your mouth.
Now you will need cooked chicken breast to make these wraps. However, if you don’t have any, you can use rotisserie chicken instead.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 277
- Fats: 8.5g
- Protein: 23g
- Carbs: 27g
- Fiber: 4.1g
- Sugar: 2.9g
6. Shrimp Ceviche
Easy Lunch Ideas for College Students
Lettuce Wrapped Fajitas
Think of this as a fancy version of a chicken salad sandwich!
329 calories
Ingredients
- 2 servings lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps
- ½ small avocado
- ½ red pepper
- 5 oz chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw
Directions
- Spray a pan with an oil spray. Cook chicken for 7-8 minutes on each side. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure chicken gets to 165 degrees internally
- Add in pepper (slices) for the last 5 minutes
- Add chicken, peppers, and avocado slices to lettuce wraps
Quinoa Greek Style Bento Box
487 calories
Ingredients
- 1 serving cucumber
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- ½ cup garbanzo beans (chickpeas), cooked
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup quinoa, cooked
- 2 Tbsp vinaigrette, less than 50 calories per 2 Tbsp
- 1 dash each salt, pepper, basil, oregano
Directions
- Cook quinoa if not already cooked
- Slice cucumber and tomatoes
- Mix all ingredients together to make quinoa salad
- Make only 2-3 days ahead of time to preserve freshness
Black Bean Burrito Bowl
319.25 calories
Ingredients
- 2 cups leafy greens
- 4 oz chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw
- ¼ salsa
- ½ green bell pepper
- ½ yellow onion
- ½ cup black beans, cooked
Directions
- Spray a pan with an oil spray. Slice chicken into strips. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes, turning strips over regularly. Make sure chicken gets to 165 degrees internally (use an instant-read thermometer).
- While the chicken is cooking, spray a second pan with an oil spray. Stir-fry veggies (sliced) for 7-8 minutes. Add in beans for the last 3-4 minutes
- Combine all ingredients into a salad
- No chicken? Use tofu or canned tuna.
Rainbow Lunchbox with Peanut Butter
This is one of my favorite snack style lunches, with simple ingredients you probably have in the fridge.
463 calories
Ingredients
- 1 oz cheese, sliced cheese, full fat/ regular
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 1 cup celery stalks, cut in half
- 1 cup red grapes
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter
Directions
- Cut cheese into cubes (if you want!)
- Arrange ingredients in bento box or container
- Roasted & salted nuts are fine. No nuts? Use seeds. No dairy? Use more nuts or seeds.
Thai Lettuce Wraps
364 calories
Ingredients
- 2 lettuce leaves for lettuce wraps
- 4 oz lean, raw ground turkey
- 2 Tbsp peanut sauce
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- ⅛ c peanuts
Directions
- Spray a pan with an oil spray. Stir-fry turkey for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until cooked through / no longer pink
- Add in peanut sauce, peanuts, and sesame seeds for 1-2 minutes
- Add to lettuce wraps – assemble as close to the time when you’re going to eat as possible
- No turkey? Use tofu
- Note: I like Whole Food’s Peanut Sauce best, but any store will have their own version! If you want to make your own (100% not necessary!) here’s a 5-ingredient one from Minimalist Baker: minimalistbaker.com/5-ingredient-peanut-sauce/
Lentil Salad with Cucumbers, Feta, and Onion
417.5 calories
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber
- ½ red onion
- 1 cup canned artichoke hearts
- ⅓ feta, crumbled
- ½ c lentils, cooked
- 1 dash salt
- 1 dash oregano
Directions
- Chop cucumber and onion
- Mix all ingredients, including liquid from canned artichoke hearts
- Lentils here can count as a protein for vegetarians, or starches for non-vegetarians if you prefer
Grilled Chicken with Israeli Salad
Whip up these healthy grilled chicken salad in less than 30 minutes.
314 calories
Ingredients
- ½ cucumber, medium
- ½ cherry tomatoes
- Fresh herbs, like fresh basil or oregano
- 1 dash salt
- 1 dash pepper
- ⅓ c feta, crumbled
- 2 c arugula
- 1 Tbsp vinaigrette
- ½ small avocado
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Line baking sheet with tin foil & spray with an oil spray
- Bake salmon for 15 minutes or until flakes easily
- Chop tomato, cucumber and arugula, salad dressing, and seasonings
- No chicken? Use tofu or tuna
Avocado Turkey Bento Boxes
430 calories
Ingredients
- 4 oz deli slices, turkey
- ½ avocado, small
- 1 cucumber, medium
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 dash everything bagel seasoning
Directions
- Cut tomatoes in halves & slice cucumbers
- Mix tomatoes and cucumbers together with oil and dash everything bagel seasoning
- If you like, add another dash of everything bagel seasoning to the avocado half
- Store salad and deli turkey/ avocado separately if you prefer
- Make for only 2-3 days ahead of time to preserve freshness
- Keep avocados fresh after cutting: Rinse with water & keep in an air-tight container
Quick and Easy Asian Chicken Bowl
343 calories
Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed greens
- ⅛ cup cashews
- ½ cup cabbage, shredded
- ½ cup mandarin oranges, canned
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 3 oz chicken breast, boneless, skinless, raw
- 1 Tbsp cilantro
- 1 Tbsp peanut sauce
Directions
- Spray the pan with an oil spray. Cook chicken for 5 minutes on each side. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure chicken gets to 165 degrees internally
- Combine all ingredients into a salad