I have a part-time nannying job, and I have to pack my lunch each day. For me, the key to making sure that I have a healthy lunch is to plan ahead and pack my lunches at the beginning of the week.
Over the past few months, I have been on a mission to come up with a variety of healthy lunch ideas that I can make ahead of time. Today, I’m sharing my ideas with you!
Whether you need healthy lunches for work, school, or at home, these ideas are easy to put together, offer variety so that you don’t get bored, and are good for you!
I don’t mind eating the same thing for lunch each day for a week, but I do like to mix it up each week. These 5 ideas give me lots of options so that I don’t get tired of something.
1. Mason Jar Salads
This has to be one of the most brilliant ideas I’ve ever come across on Pinterest. Mason Jar Salads can be made at the beginning of the week, and they will still taste fresh on Friday. If you don’t like to have the same lunch every day, mix it up with different dressings and add-ins for each jar.
When I first started making Mason Jar Salads for lunch, I came up with a trick to make them even easier!
2. Soup
Make a big pot of your favorite healthy soup on Sunday night, and bring a small container of it to work with you each day. Reheat and enjoy!
Last week I made this Mexican Quinoa Soup, and it lasted for 4 lunches. If you don’t have a microwave at work, you can get a soup thermos to keep your soup warm until lunchtime.
3. Chicken Salad and Crackers
This is my current favorite! At the beginning of the week I mix up a big batch of chicken salad. Lately I’ve been using vegenaise instead of mayonnaise to make it even healthier. I pack it in smaller containers and bring along a bag of Blue Diamond Nut Thins. These crackers are gluten free and taste great! My favorite is the Hint of Sea Salt variety.
If this isn’t enough to fill you up, pack a hard boiled egg or a side of veggies or fruit. I’ve been boiling a batch of hard boiled eggs at the beginning of the week, and they last all week.
4. Chicken & Veggie Bowls
Make a little extra chicken, rice and veggies for dinner, and put them all in a container for lunch the next day. I especially liked this Grilled Chicken Veggie Bowl idea from The Picky Palate.
And speaking of leftovers, they are a great way to save time and have a healthy lunch! I used to try to make just enough for dinner so I didn’t waste food. It didn’t take long for me to discover the beauty of leftovers, though. Now I purposely make extra so that I can have leftovers.
5. Bento Boxes
I don’t know why, but these organized containers with a variety of foods just make me happy. You can get tupperware that is divided up into several sections. Fill each section with fruits and veggies, cheese, crackers, small whole wheat sandwiches, and more.
Starbucks has a few of these boxes, but you can save money and make them at home! I liked this Skinny ‘Starbucks’ Protein Bistro Box idea from The Skinny Fork.
ashortblonde says
These are great ideas! I need to find those GF crackers.
Jenna Brussee says
I have been able to find them at most grocery stores. They are usually in the health foods or gluten free section.
Summer @ Coffee With S says
Wonderful ideas, that I definitely need to look into doing!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks! I hope they make life easier. Or at least lunch!
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
Yes!!!! Currently I have a really flexible schedule so I’m almost always able to throw a meal together (which I also really enjoy), but this will be so needed next year when I’m working full-time! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
It’s so nice to have a flexible schedule! I miss that. But these ideas took some stress away because I can pack my lunch at the beginning of the week and not have to figure out what to make each morning.
Mandy says
Love this! I’m with you in the fact that I can eat the same thing multiple days but I have to mix it up from week to week. And I bring salads a lot but I’ve never actually done them in a mason jar – I still need to try that!
Jenna Brussee says
I love making mason jar salads! I was skeptical at first because I thought the dressing would make the salad soggy by the end of the week. But it doesn’t as long as you use spinach, romaine or kale. The iceburg lettuce didn’t work for me.
TheAdventuresofBugandBoo says
Salads in a mason jar, awesome!
Jenna Brussee says
It’s such a smart idea! And you can mix it up with all different types of lettuce, dressing and toppings. I even added chicken somedays.
Sarah @ 12 Twenty Seven says
Such great ideas! I definitely have to mix up what I eat because I get bored easily! However, I love the idea of prepping them beforehand so I can just grab and go!
Stephanie @Sustaining the Powe says
I’m reading this while the littles are napping at my nanny job and wishing I had your lunches! All I had was a container of saffron rice and some fruit leather since I got called in late to sub for the usual Tuesday nanny. Chicken salad sounds awesome! I’ll have to make some for next week.
Kendra Cunningham says
I am always looking for new and healthy options to not only eat at home but to pack for my husband to take to work. These ideas are awesome! They don’t take too much time and they all look and sound yummy
Gennie says
Love these ideas!! I make a lot of chicken and veggies, but the mason jar ideas are so smart. Especially since you said to get kits–genius!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks Gennie! Those kits made life so much easier, and they save some money, too.
Laura Jean says
These are such great ideas, thank you for posting this. I am always trying to find new things to bring to lunch for work! I get bored of the same thing over and over again. The chicken salad and cracker idea is so smart!
Jenna Brussee says
I feel ya! It can be hard to think of new ideas. I’m doing the crackers and chicken salad this week and it’s so good! Plus it only took me 10 minutes to mix up the chicken salad and put it in 5 containers. Easy-peasy!
Katie says
I love a good pot of soup – your Mexican quinoa soup sounds delicious! I’ve also been wanting to a bento box – I think that would be the perfect lunch!
Jenna Brussee says
Bento boxes sound like so much fun to make! It’s a super easy lunch to make in bulk for the week, too.