40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (2024)

Many of us have a handle on healthy meals but can become a little uninspired when it comes to that all important midday meal. You have your favourite salads and dinners to turn to but come up stumps when trying to think of what to make for lunch. The complication comes as we often need to bring them along to work as well. Stop buying $20 salads from the cafe near work.

So if you’re sick of the same boring sandwiches or uninspired salads for lunch, know that we are too. We scoured our archives and pulled together a selection of our lunch ideas that not only taste great, they’re guaranteed to jazz up any lunchbox and make your midday break something to look forward to.

Try our filling, nutritious soups during the cooler months, or brighten up your day with one of our deliciously fresh salads.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (1)

01

Miso chicken with broccolini and asparagus

Miso chicken with broccolini and asparagus

This tasty chicken and rice salad is good for your gut (and your taste buds).

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (2)

02

Falafel burgers

Falafel burgers

Made with a chickpea falafel patty and a tahini yoghurt between turkish bread, these vegetarian falafel burgers are a healthy and hearty choice.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (3)

03

Chicken koftas with fig & seed pilaf

Chicken koftas with fig and seed pilaf

These spiced chicken koftas are served with a fresh and fragrant fig and seed pilaf for a lovely Middle-Eastern style meal for the family to enjoy.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (4)

04

Lamb and lentil salad

Lamb and lentil salad

Say goodbye to boring salads with this hearty lamb and lentil favourite.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (5)

05

Grilled chicken with barley pilaf

Grilled chicken with barley pilaf

This low-GI grilled chicken with barley pilaf will satisfy everyone from the health conscious, to the just plain hungry.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (6)

06

Larb tofu with meal prep variations

Larb tofu with meal prep variations

Larb tofu, traditionally made with ground chicken, is a spicy Thai appetizer.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (7)

07

Chicken, asparagus and kale caesar

Chicken, asparagus and kale Caesar

This tasty caesar salad recipe has been given an extra health boost with chicken, kale, asparagus and green goddess dressing for your workday lunch.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (8)

08

Quiche primavera

Quiche primavera

This fresh quiche is made with a whole heap of seasonal vegetables including beans, asparagus, peas and zucchini and finished with a hint of mint.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (9)

09

Corn and buttermilk fritters

Corn and buttermilk fritters

These tangy corn fritters are delicious served crisp and warm from the frying pan with roasted tomatoes.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (10)

10

Quinoa salad with zucchini and fetta

Quinoa salad with zucchini and fetta

This healthy quinoa salad is great for weekday lunches. You’ll love the added crunch thanks to roasted hazelnuts.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (11)

Tuna and soba noodle salad

Light and fresh, this seared tuna and soba noodle salad is packed full of flavour from the zesty coriander dressing.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (12)

12

Dukkah lamb cutlets with smashed beetroot

Dukkah lamb cutlets with smashed beetroot

With only 5 ingredients and a few staples these lovely lamb cutlets make a tasty meal.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (13)

13

Asparagus and fetta frittata

Asparagus and fetta frittata

Breakfast, lunch or dinner – a fresh frittata is sure to deliver.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (14)

14

Pasta primavera with poached salmon

Pasta primavera with poached salmon

Bust this spring pasta out for the ideal light meal that really satisfies.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (15)

15

Leek and pumpkin quiche

Leek and pumpkin quiche

With a crumbly pastry case and silky filling this leek and pumkin quiche is great for meal prep. Make on Sunday and eat for lunch all week.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (16)

16

Miso and sesame salmon with soba noodles

Miso and sesame salmon with soba noodles

Marinated and roasted salmon and green onions with snow peas on a bed of delicately dressed soba noodles for a delicious midweek meal.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (17)

17

Greek salad lamb pitta pockets

Greek salad lamb pitta pockets

Ideal for picnic or lunchboxes.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (18)

18

Zucchini and haloumi slice

Zucchini and haloumi slice

It’s the classic slice you know and love with a tasty vegetarian twist.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (19)

19

Roast pumpkin, spinach and fetta salad

Roast pumpkin, spinach and fetta salad

You’ll love this simple, yet perfectly balanced flavour combination.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (20)

20

Corn, zucchini and chickpea fritters

Corn, zucchini and chickpea fritters

Crunchy fritters make a perfect snack or light meal when served with a salad.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (21)

21

Minestrone soup

Minestrone soup

This hearty Italian soup is the ultimate in comfort food. Packed full of beans, celery, carrots, stock, pasta and tomatoes it’s guaranteed to satisfy.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (22)

22

Pumpkin, ricotta and rocket quesadillas

Pumpkin, ricotta and rocket quesadillas

These delicious vegetarian quesadillas are great for lunch or an afternoon snack. The kids (big and small) will enjoy them. And they’re suitable for diabetics, too.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (23)

23

Pasta with spinach, mushrooms and almonds

Pasta with spinach, mushrooms and almonds

This delectable vegetarian pasta is packed with mushrooms, pecorino and crunchy almonds. Delish! It’s also good for diabetics.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (24)

24

Pea and ham brown rice salad

Pea and ham brown rice salad

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (25)

25

Teriyaki chicken rice salad

Teriyaki chicken rice salad

Healthy, fragrant and authentic Japanese teriyaki chicken rice salad.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (26)

26

The green turkey burger

The green turkey burger

Take this delicious lettuce wrapped burger to the next step and veg it up! Replace turkey patties with pan-fried haloumi or fried flat mushrooms.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (27)

27

Spinach and cheese quesadillas

Spinach and cheese quesadillas

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (28)

28

Tamarind beef stir fry recipe with kohlrabi salad

Tamarind beef stir fry recipe with kohlrabi salad

This tamarind beef stir fry recipe is full of aromatic ingredients in Vietnamese mint, coriander and chilli served with a refreshing kohlrabi salad.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (29)

29

Tex-Mex pork

Tex-Mex pork

This fragrant salad of Cajun-spiced pork and fresh vegetables makes a delightful low-carb lunch.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (30)

30

Cauliflower ‘fried rice’ with mushrooms and ham

Cauliflower ‘fried rice’ with mushrooms and ham

This healthy and tasty cauliflower fried rice recipe is low in carbs and calories, perfect for the 5:2 fasting diet.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (31)

31

Brown rice and roast pumpkin salad

Brown rice and roast pumpkin salad: This bright and crunchy salad combines the sweetness of roast pumpkin with plenty of nuts and fresh leafy greens.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (32)

32

Tomato and white bean puree salad

Tomato and white bean puree salad: Bright, colourful, tasty tomatoes with a lush white bean puree. This is one light lunch that won’t result in the 3pm munchies.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (33)

33

Spiced vegetable, chickpea and ricotta salad

Spiced vegetable, chickpea and ricotta salad: Eating lunch at your work desk isn’t such a depressing thought when you have these golden caramelised vegetables, tossed with baked ricotta and warm chickpeas beckoning.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (34)

34

Chai roasted pumpkin soup with honey walnuts

Chai roasted pumpkin soup with honey walnuts: Creamy soup with an added walnut crunch, what could be better?

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (35)

35

Korean beef lettuce cups with pickled vegetables

Korean beef lettuce cups with pickled vegetables: Spicy, fresh and delicious! These beef slices make a great low-carb dish.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (36)

36

Barley and vegetable soup with crunchy seeds

Barley and vegetable soup with crunchy seeds: Keep warm this winter with this beautiful, filling soup with a nutritious seed topping.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (37)

37

Beetroot and lamb flatbreads with tahini yoghurt

Beetroot and lamb flatbreads with tahini yoghurt: Spice up your life (and your lunch) with this Turkish-style pizza, with chunks of beetroot, cherry tomatoes, and tahini yoghurt spooned on top.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (38)

38

Kale and walnut tarts

Kale and walnut tarts: These vegetarian tarts are a healthy green substitute to pastry.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (39)

39

Pea, tarragon, prawn and almond cakes

Pea, tarragon, prawn and almond cakes: Packed full of green goodness, these vege-quarian patties can be made a day ahead so one for the meal prep-ers among us.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (40)

40

Pumpkin and feta free-form tart

Pumpkin and feta free-form tart: Sure it looks a little rough around the edges but the beauty of this tart lies within, with crumbly feta and creamy pumpkin working together to ensure your lunchtime is one to remember.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (41)

41

Roast corn and quinoa chowder

Roast corn and quinoa chowder: Quinoa is one of only a handful of vegetarian ingredients which contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a perfect meat substitute. Veg it up by leaving the chicken out of the guacamole.

40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (42)

42

Pumpkin and corn quesadilla with fresh tomato salsa

Pumpkin and corn quesadilla with fresh tomato salsa

Fresh, wholesome dinners are always the most satisfying! Just like this pumpkin and corn quesadilla dish with fresh tomato salsa – healthy, nourishing and so delicious! Suitable for the 2-Day Fast Diet.

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40 healthy lunches you'll be excited to eat (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest lunch you can eat? ›

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 healthiest meal to eat? ›

10 Simple Dinner Ideas for Healthy Eating in Real Life
  1. Stuffed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber ( 1 ). ...
  2. Grain bowls. ...
  3. Veggie loaded frittatas. ...
  4. Dinner salad. ...
  5. Loaded brown rice pasta. ...
  6. One-pot soups. ...
  7. Curry. ...
  8. Burgers.
Jun 30, 2021

What are 7 healthy lunches? ›

The 10 Best Healthy Lunch Foods to Eat
  • Canned Tuna. "Seafood is packed with protein, helping you feel full and satisfied. ...
  • Mini Sweet Peppers. ...
  • Farro. ...
  • Veggie Burgers. ...
  • Ricotta Cheese. ...
  • Black Beans. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Hummus.
Aug 9, 2022

What do you feed 12 people for lunch? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What to serve 12 people for lunch? ›

Feed-a-crowd recipes
  • Spiced salmon with traybaked sag aloo. ...
  • Chicken Provençal. ...
  • Chicken gyros. ...
  • Sharing bavette with blue cheese, beef dripping wedges & ranch salad. ...
  • Sticky tamarind tomato & spinach whirl. ...
  • Summer vegetable & flatbread platter with dill & mustard dip. ...
  • Spring sharing board. ...
  • Waste-nothing loaded potato wedges.

What is a healthy lunch for adults? ›

41 Healthy Lunch Ideas You Can Make in 10 Minutes
  • 02 of 41. Buffalo Chicken Grain Bowl. View Recipe. ...
  • 05 of 41. 3-Ingredient Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Salad. View Recipe. ...
  • 08 of 41. Chickpea 'Chicken' Salad. ...
  • 11 of 41. Charcuterie Bistro Lunch Box. ...
  • 14 of 41. Roasted Veggie Mason Jar Salad. ...
  • 17 of 41. Cucumber-Chicken Green Goddess Wrap.
Nov 30, 2023

What is a healthy menu? ›

A healthy eating plan: Emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Limits saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars.

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.

Which foods burn belly fat the fastest? ›

Lean Proteins. Always include lean protein if you want to lose fat around the belly. They are one of the best among the 32 foods that burn belly fat fast. Also, foods like chicken breast, turkey, salmon, and tofu are rich in protein, which reduces appetite and helps lose stomach fat.

What is the number 1 healthiest fast food restaurant? ›

Coming in on top as the healthiest fast food restaurant was Little Caesars.
  • Little Caesars.
  • Starbucks.
  • Dairy Queen.
  • McDonald's.
  • Subway.
  • Taco Bell.
  • Arby's.
  • Dunkin' Donuts.
Mar 9, 2021

What are nutritious lunch? ›

Here are some food options you can consider for a healthy lunch: Whole grain bread, brown rice, or quinoa with vegetables and lean protein, such as grilled chicken, tofu, or legumes. Salad with leafy greens, vegetables, and a source of protein like grilled chicken, boiled eggs, or beans.

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