Reviewed by Dietitian Madeline Peck, RDN, CDN
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
For lunch this week, you can enjoy one of these flavorful sandwiches, soups, grain bowls and more while still meeting your nutritional goals. In every serving, there are under 575 calories and at least 6grams of fiber and/or 15 grams of protein to help support healthy weight loss. Plus, the gut-healthy elements in these lunches come from probiotics and/or prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, beans, legumes and whole grains to promote healthy gut bacteria and regular digestion. You’ll love reaching for delicious and satisfying recipes like our crisp Chopped Italian Chickpea Salad and easy Cucumber-Spinach Wrap at lunchtime.
01 of 16
Chopped Italian Chickpea Salad
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist Phoebe Hauser.
This chopped Italian-inspired salad combines crisp lettuce, creamy chickpeas, juicy tomatoes and sharp provolone in a zesty red-wine vinaigrette. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own for lunch yet versatile enough to serve alongside grilled chicken or fish.
02 of 16
Easy Bean Salad With Herby Salsa Verde
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
This refreshing bean salad gets a lift from a quick homemade salsa verde packed with fresh herbs, jalapeño and lime. A mix of creamy beans, crisp radishes and smoky corn makes it hearty enough for a light lunch or easy dinner.
03 of 16
Cucumber-Spinach Wrap Is a Quick & Easy Lunch Idea
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This fresh and creamy cucumber-spinach wrap comes together in minutes. A quick yogurt spread, brightened with lemon and dill, acts like a shortcut tzatziki, while crisp cucumber, buttery avocado and a sprinkle of za’atar add cool crunch and herby depth.
04 of 16
Chickpea & Chicken Salad
Credit: Photographer: Alex Huang.
This creamy chicken and chickpea salad gets fiber and protein from mashed chickpeas and a pop of brightness from fruit. A blend of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise keeps the dressing light yet rich, while celery and toasted pecans add crunch.
05 of 16
High-Protein Creamy Broccoli Salad
Credit: Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee, Food Stylist: Amanda Holstein.
This high-protein broccoli salad uses cottage cheese to create a creamy dressing. Crisp broccoli and red onion bring crunch, tender herbs add brightness, and chopped pecans lend a satisfying finish. It’s a side that works just as well for weekday lunches as it does for potlucks and holiday spreads.
06 of 16
Marry Me White Bean Salad
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This Marry Me White Bean Salad is a bright, flavor-packed dish that’s hard not to fall for and pulls inspiration from Marry Me Chicken. Tender white beans are tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and a creamy dressing that soaks into every bite. It’s quick to throw together and perfect for meal prep, picnics or pairing with grilled meats.
07 of 16
Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
This chickpea-farro grain bowl is a hearty dish that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber and tons of fresh flavor. Farro, a whole grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture, forms the base and pairs perfectly with tender chickpeas and veggies. If you don’t have farro on hand, you can easily swap in quinoa, brown rice or barley.
08 of 16
High-Protein Cucumber Sandwich
Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
This high-protein cucumber sandwich features a creamy spread made by whipping cottage cheese with white miso, soy sauce and rice vinegar. This mixture delivers a creamy boost of protein that pairs perfectly with sliced cucumbers, which add a crisp, fresh bite.
09 of 16
Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box
Credit: Ali Redmond
This easy chickpea salad lunch box is a fresh, no-cook lunch that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Chickpeas are tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing bite. It’s easy to scale up the recipe to prep multiple servings at once, so you can stock your fridge with grab-and-go lunches for the week. Just remember to add the crackers on the day you plan to enjoy it to keep them crunchy and delicious.
10 of 16
Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
This herb-marinated veggie-and-chickpea salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. Since it requires no stove or oven time, it’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.
11 of 16
5-Ingredient Avocado & Chickpea Salad
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.
This avocado-and-chickpea salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. Made with just five ingredients, it’s as simple as it is satisfying. Creamy avocado pairs perfectly with hearty chickpeas for a filling, plant-based meal. With no cooking required and minimal prep, it’s a perfect quick lunch or dinner.
12 of 16
High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.
13 of 16
Veggie Wraps
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
These wraps are packed with veggies, including zucchini, bell pepper and spinach. The vegetables cook quickly in a skillet, so you can pull together this easy lunch in no time. Hummus adds plant-based protein and keeps the wrap from getting dry.
14 of 16
Black Bean–Quinoa Bowl
Credit: Photography: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabe Greco
This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We’ve loaded it with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado, plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.
15 of 16
Lemony Lentil Salad with Feta
Credit: Jason Donnelly
This delicious and healthy lentil salad comes together in just 30 minutes and makes a wonderful hot-weather meal. Serve with whole-wheat pitas, if desired.
16 of 16
Salmon-Stuffed Avocados
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy, omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal.
Read the original article on EatingWell