Here’s my go-to formula for lunches & dinners
A lot of my lunches are fairly plain & definitely NOT complex, BUT here are some other, more fun options!
1. Taco Bowls
2 cups veg: 1 cup lettuce + 1 cup tomatoes & onions + 1/2 stir-fried bell pepper
4-5oz protein: 4oz grilled chicken – I like Trader Joe’s pre-grilled!
100-200 calories of fats: 1/3 cup shredded cheese
Just triple or quadruple the recipe if you’re making for a few days 🤩🙌🏼
Season with basil, oregano 🌿 salt & pepper if you like
2. Zoodles & Meatballs
🍝 2 cups veggies: 2 cups zucchini noodles – I made them from frozen pre-zoodled zoodles
🧀 100-200 calories of fats: 1/3 cup feta cheese & 1 yogurt for some extra protein on the side
🍗 4-5oz protein: 5 turkey meatballs – made from frozen!
🌱 Seasoned with basil, oregano, salt & pepper
3. Pineapple Chicken
100-200 calories of fats: 1/2 avocado – I ran out for pictures but add 1/2 avocado or 1 single-serving packet of guacamole to each!)
4-5oz protein: 4oz chicken per serving – I made this chicken in the air fryer and then added 1 Tbsp barbecue sauce to each serving)
2 cups veggies: 2 cups shredded green & purple cabbage – I bought pre-shredded cabbage from Trader Joe’s
Added 3/4 cup pineapple 🍍 tidbits (let thaw frozen frozen before adding to your lunch to make sure there won’t be extra liquid)
And! Add 2 Tbsp fat free balsamic dressing to the cabbage “salad”. I love the taste of dressing & need it for salads, but it’s not worth the 200-300 calories of normal bottled dressing or even oil & vinegar! 🥄
4. Tuna Salad
🥗 2 cups veggies: 1 cup greens + 1 1/2 cucumbers, chopped
🥜 100-200 calories of fats: 1/8 cup walnuts + 1 Tbsp regular mayo
🐟 4-5oz protein: 1/2 can tuna + 1 hard boiled egg
Also added 1/2 apple 🍎🤩
5. Shrimp & Zoodle Bake
🥒 2 cups veggies: 2 cups zoodles – I use the frozen, pre-zoodled kind from Trader Joe’s! Heat them in a pot on the stove
🧀 100-200 calories of fats: 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
🍤 4-5oz protein: About 20 frozen pre-cooked shrimp – I like the medium ones from TJs. Also stir-fry these with an oil spray on the stove top – in a different pan from the zoodles!
6. Sausage & Pepper Sheet Pan with Cauli Rice
🍚 2 cups veggies: 1 bell pepper + 1 cup pre-riced cauliflower
🧀 100-200 calories of fats: 1/3 cup shredded cheese + 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
🌭 4-5oz protein: 1 sausage – I like Trader Joe’s apple chicken one
7. DIY Poke Bowls
🥒 2 cups veggies: 2 small cucumbers, sliced
🥑 100-200 calories of fats: 1/2 small avocado
🐟 4-5oz protein: 2oz smoked salmon + 1/2 cup cooked, shelled edamame – I boiled the frozen Trader Joe’s kind!
Made it with 1/2 cup cooked rice! 🍚 and topped with 1 Tbsp sesame seeds and 2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce🥄
8. Mediterranean Bowls
🍅 2 cups veggies: 1 tomato + 1 cucumber, chopped + seasoned with basil, oregano, salt & pepper
🧀 100-200 calories of fats: 1/4 cup feta cheese + 1/3 cup olives
🍗 4-5oz protein: 4oz chicken – I like the pre-grilled strips from Trader Joe’s!
9. Chicken, Rice & Tzatziki
🍅 2 cups veggies: 2 cups cherry tomatoes – 1 cup is pictured here but you make it correctly with 2 cups
🧀 100-200 calories of fats: 1 serving tzatziki
🍗 4-5oz protein: 4oz chicken – I like the pre-grilled strips from Trader Joe’s! Can you tell? I think I talk about it on repeat haha!
10. Collard Wrap Sandwiches
Ingredients for 2 wraps (1 serving)
4 collard greens leaves (2 per wrap)
4 oz shredded chicken (you can make this in the stove or in the Instant Pot)
1/2 cup shredded carrots (1/4 cup per wrap)
1/2 avocado (half per wrap)
Dip these in peanut sauce to add some extra filling fat 🤤 I love the Trader Joe’s & Whole Foods ones!
11. Pesto Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Protein: 4 oz grilled chicken
Fats: 1/8 cup pesto
Veggies: 1 cup tomatoes, chopped + 1 cucumber, sliced + 2 large lettuce leaves
Fruit: 1 apple – I stick with 1 fruit per day!
12. Guacamole & Turkey Bento Boxes
Protein: 4 oz turkey deli slices
Fats: 1 guacamole packet to-go and 1 string cheese
Veggies: 1 cup baby carrots & 1 cucumber, sliced
13. Caprese Bites Lunches
Protein & Fat: 3 oz mini mozz balls
Veggies: 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
Stick with toothpicks & dip in balsamic vinegar or glaze!
14. Pistachios, Eggs, and Round Wax Cheese Bento Box
Protein: 2 hard boiled eggs
Fat: 1 round wax cheese + 1/4 cup in-shell pistachios
Veggies: 1 cup baby carrots + 1 cucumber, sliced
Swap out nuts for a to-go guac if you prefer!
AND!
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