Healthy Lunches

Healthy Lunch

Lunch is an important meal because it provides the energy and nutrients you need to get you through the rest of your day.  Unfortunately, many people make do with only a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, depriving themselves of the chance to load up on essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients and fiber.  If you think you're missing out on good nutrition, it's time to find healthy lunch recipes that are easy to prepare, satisfying and affordable.

Eating out can be costly, and some fast food places have a bad reputation for unhealthy food.  Restaurants may offer healthy and delicious foods but a single meal can cost as much as one week's worth of homemade lunches.  If you're struggling to make both ends meet, as many people are, eating out for lunch every day is out of the question.

 It is helpful to make something that will be good leftovers like pastas or casseroles, which can easily be turned into a delicious tortilla wrapped lunch.  At MBG My Budget Gourmet I know what it is like to have the need to conserve, it is the entire purpose of the site and this blog.  To bring meals that are not expensive and can be eaten for at least 2 days with health, taste and variety in high concern.  Most casseroles and pastas people will find can make great lunches the next day and will assuredly keep some money in the bank for other more pressing things.

Lots of people are searching for quick and healthy lunch recipes that they won't get tired of.  Some people like to cook while others prefer lunch recipes that don't take too long to prepare.  In general, sandwiches and salads make a great lunch because they're quick and easy and you can add all the healthy ingredients that you want.

Here are some ideas for healthy lunch recipes:

• Make a healthy and filling tuna salad by combining lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced onions and tuna.  Mix in a little low-fat mayonnaise or salad dressing.  Serve with a fresh roll or rye bread.
• Toss shredded lettuce leaves, cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices in a bowl.  Add a few strips of cooked chicken.  Drizzle some low-fat salad dressing, toss all the ingredients together, and serve with whole wheat Pita.
• Fruit salad can be a light but scrumptious healthy lunch.  Apples, bananas, pineapples, berries, pears and fruits in season are great choices.  Dice the fruits and serve with yogurt.
• If you want something more filling, make yourself a sandwich. Slice an onion and fry until golden.  Add some lean ground beef and a little salt and pepper to taste.  Continue cooking until beef is no longer pink.  Put sliced tomato, lettuce and the ground beef on rye bread.  This healthy lunch recipe provides protein, carbohydrates, fiber, Vitamin C, and minerals.
• Wraps also make a great lunch.  You can use a tortilla, lettuce leaf, or flat bread to make the wrap, and you can fill it with any ingredient you like.  To make a tomato and mozzarella wrap, spread some cream cheese on whole wheat tortilla.  Place fresh spinach, sliced tomato, and sliced mozzarella cheese in the center of the tortilla.  Wrap the tortilla into a burrito.  Enjoy!
• Soups and stews are also delicious for lunch.  When you're making a stew or soup for dinner, make a big batch and freeze the extra in portions.  Now all you have to do is thaw out the stew or soup and heat it up for a healthy and satisfying lunch.

So that you'll never be at a loss for lunch, be sure to keep staples at hand, such as eggs, tuna, cream cheese, fruits, crackers, salad greens and bread.  You can easily make healthy lunch recipes out of these ingredients.  If deciding on sandwiches, as most people on budgets do, it is best to steer clear of the bologna or processed meats due to high saturated fat and cholesterol.  A better alternative is lean turkey or even ham, and possibly chicken breast if it is not too expensive and to omit the white bread.