Healthy Lunchbox Ideas to Power You On-the-Go

Healthy lunchbox ideas for work that go beyond basic sandwiches.

The fast-food joints, the mediocre cafeteria, the big bowl of office snacks. Do you have trouble eating a healthy lunch while you are at work or on-the-go?

It’s pretty easy to overdo it at lunch, especially when you are eating away from home. You’re in a hurry and the temptation to grab a bite out or rely on snacks is high, and we all know how unhealthy that can be.

Even when you do pack a lunch, the standard ham & cheese on white bread and a bag of chips, may be the easiest way to go, but it’s certainly not the healthiest.

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Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

Whether you have always been a brown bagger or you are just getting started with home-packed lunches, here are some tips for making delicious, filling lunches that are healthier both for you and the planet:

Switch out (or skip) the bread:

• If white bread is your habit, it’s time to make the switch to whole wheat or at least multi-grain.
• Try sandwich thins or whole wheat tortillas as a less calorie-laden alternative to regular bread.
• Skip the bread completely and use healthy crackers or rice cakes as a base.
• Instead of ham & cheese, try a healthy BLT made with nitrate-free turkey bacon.
• Instead of the standard peanut butter & jelly, try almond butter with sliced bananas and honey.

Add plenty of fruits & veggies:

• If you are a salad fan, mix up a big bowl of salad at the beginning of the week (undressed, of course) and pack a serving each day. There’s nothing wrong with buying those organic salad mixes either if the convenience gets you to eat healthier!
• Pack cut-up veggies in every lunch. When you fill up on veggies, you’ll be less tempted by the candy jar!
• Keep a small basket of fresh fruit at your desk to quell your hunger between meals.

Give leftovers a chance:

• My husband is famous for his yummy leftovers at work. That’s because I make extra food at dinner so that I have plenty left for lunches!
• Soups, stews, spaghetti and stir-fries all make great lunch material.
• If all you have is leftover rice, add some frozen veggies and a dash of soy sauce and call it a meal.

Mix it up:

• Instead of a sandwich or main dish, bring a lunch made up of a mix of healthy foods.
• Healthy protein sources include hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, nuts, avocado, cheese and nitrate-free meat sticks or jerky.
• Pack whole grain crackers or pretzels instead of chips.
• Pick up a bag of trail mix and divide into snack-sized portions. Or make your own trail mix with a variety of dried fruits, nuts and seeds.
• Grapes, clementines and baby carrots are easy to grab if you don’t have time to prep.
• Keep some healthy snacks at your desk or in your purse for snack emergencies!

Try something different:

• An unusual lunch time treat is a baked sweet potato. Topped with raisins, unsweetened coconut and a dollop of almond butter, it is both nutritious and delicious!
• Baked potato topped with cooked veggies and cheese.
• Hummus or other bean dips with veggies (try my kid-friendly orange hummus!)
• Homemade burritos or quesadillas with beans, veggies and cheese.

Bring a healthy sweet:

• To avoid an afternoon trip to the vending machine, bring a little something sweet from home.
• Home made cookies like my favorite, peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip.
• A little bit of organic dark chocolate (it’s good for you, right?)
• I’ve got tons of healthy dessert & treat ideas over on Pinterest!

Pack in reusables, not disposables:

• Instead of a throw-away, brown paper bag, use a reusable lunch bag every day.
• Pack individual items in reusable containers and snack bags.
• Skip the temptation to hit buy a soda and bring water in a reusable bottle.
• Invest in a stainless steel thermos for soups and other leftovers.

Do you bring your lunch to work? What are your ideas for a healthier bagged lunch?

{image credit: EssjayNZ via flickr}