The clock strikes noon and your stomach is already grumbling. But there are better options than your usual sad desk salad or last night’s greasy Chinese leftovers. Here: seven power lunch recipes that will give you the fuel to stay sharp, upbeat and generally satisfied with life.
7 Power Lunch Recipes That'll Keep You Full for Hours
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Published Nov 17, 2015
1. Whole Wheat Pita + Sliced Turkey Breast + Apple + Goat Cheese
Start with the pita, which is low in calories and fat but high in fiber. Fill it with roast turkey instead of the deli-counter stuff to avoid all that unnecessary sodium.
2. Kale + Quinoa + Feta Cheese + Avocado
Packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats, these four ingredients hold the key to a filling and satisfying salad.
3. Whole Wheat Wrap + Spinach + Red Pepper + Hummus
We can get down with the Mediterranean diet. Hummus--loaded with unsaturated fats, protein and fiber--is the perfect sandwich filler. Add a dark, leafy green like spinach and crunchy veggies like peppers for additional vitamins and minerals.
4. Sweet Potato + Chicken Breast + Avocado
There’s a reason why sweet potatoes are considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables around--they're basically fat free while still high in potassium, calcium and vitamins A and C. Chicken, meanwhile, is a great way to fill up on protein without consuming saturated fats. Slice some avocado (healthy fats, people) and throw it all on a salad or over grains for a seriously colorful plate.
5. Mixed Greens + Tuna Fish + Cannellini Beans + Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Did you know a serving of canned of tuna contains only about 100 calories? Eat it on a salad or sandwich with white beans (packed with fiber, iron and magnesium) and a drizzle of E.V.O.O. Yum.
6. Lentils + Chickpeas + Cauliflower + Curry Powder
This great vegetarian lunch (whip it up in a wok and toss it in a Tupperware container) is filled with tons of good nutrients. Lentils and chickpeas contain fiber and protein, while cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower are high in vitamin C and potassium.
7. Whole Wheat Pasta + Broccoli + Pine Nuts + Parmesan
There’s nothing wrong with pasta for lunch, as long as you eat it in moderation. Bulk up a cup of whole-wheat noodles with low-calorie, high-fiber broccoli and garnish with pine nuts, which contain lots of monounsaturated fat, antioxidants and iron.