One of the most important factors in daily productivity is eating in a way that fuels your productivity instead of hindering it. There’s nothing like a heavy lunch to totally kill your momentum and make you good for nothing but a nap. That’s why I thought I would share some of my favorite work-from-home lunch ideas – meals perfect for when you’re so engrossed in your work that you barely have time to eat, let alone cook. These meals require minimal prep and are filling enough to satisfy you but won’t cause you to crash.
1. Avocado with Tuna
When I was a teacher this was one of my favorite packed lunches because I could eat it in my classroom without even having to go to the breakroom or cafeteria.
To prepare it, cut an avocado in half and remove the seed, then top each half with premade tuna salad OR flavored tuna such as the Starkist Flavor Creations packets.
2. Protein-Packed Salad
My husband, a software developer who works from home, particularly enjoys this meal. A bowl of greens is only the beginning…the toppings are the key to making this a delicious and satisfying meal! If you have all the toppings in the fridge ready to go, this meal comes together very quickly. Finish with your favorite dressing…my favorite is a simple homemade vinaigrette.
Toppings That Add Protein:
- Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (raw seeds are healthier!)
- 1-2 tablespoons of hemp hearts
- Crumbled hard-boiled egg (we cheat and buy our eggs already hard-boiled)
- Cooked lentils (buy them canned if you aren’t good at advance meal prep!)
- Cubed or shredded chicken
- Crumbled tempeh
Toppings That Make it Yummy and More Filling:
- Cubed cooked sweet potato
- Seasoned roasted chickpeas
- Diced beets
- Sliced olives
- Dried cranberries
- Diced green apple
- Pickled sliced banana peppers
- Sliced veggies (red peppers, red onion, cucumbers, etc.)
- Crumbled feta or goat cheese or shredded parmesan cheese
3. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
There’s an indefinite number of smoothie recipes, but this one is my personal favorite, especially in early fall when it’s still warm outside.
To the blender add:
- 1/3-1/2 can of pureed pumpkin OR 1/2 cooked sweet potato (with the skin)
- Handful spinach or other raw greens (I promise you won’t taste them)
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt – adds probiotics and protein
- 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses – adds “pie” flavor (plus some minerals your body needs)
- 1/2 ripe banana or your favorite non-sugar sweetener
- 1-2 of teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- dash of sea salt (optional)
- splash of vanilla extract (optional)
- Water as needed to achieve the right blending consistency
4. Cup Lentils
I like smoothies and salads in summer, but in cold weather I want my meals to be warm and comforting. Lentilful instant cup lentils turned out to be the perfect solution for days when I need something quick and easy. Healthier and more filling than cup noodles, they come in lots of flavors, and you just add hot or boiling water and let them sit for five minutes and then they’re ready to eat. They’re vegan by default, but I sometimes add collagen powder along with the hot water for extra protein.
5. Leftover Soup
During the winter, I like to make a big pot of filling soup and then eat it for lunch over the next few days as leftovers. Below are some of my favorite soup recipes that are both filling and healthy. If you’re not vegetarian, you can boost the protein in vegetarian soups by adding collagen powder or using bone broth as the liquid.
- Sweet Potato and Chickpea Coconut Curry
- Creamy Vegan Mushroom Stew with Farro and Kale
- Taco Soup (I use vegetarian “beef”)
- Italian Garden Veggie Soup with Couscous
6. Bean & Pasta Salad (and Other Cold Salads)
During the summer, instead of soup I love to have pasta salad made ahead and in the fridge for a quick and easy lunch. I like ones that have beans and lots of veggies in them, because the fiber is what helps me not suffer a carb crash in the afternoon. Here are some of my favorite cold salad recipes I have enjoyed making multiple times:
- Greek Pasta Salad (I add a can of kidney beans to this recipe)
- Persian Cucumber and Purple Sweet Potato Salad
- Garden Veggie Chickpea Salad
- “Cowboy Caviar” Pasta Salad (Southwest bean and corn salad)
7. Apple, Cheese, Nuts, and Dried Fruit: (AKA “Girl Lunch”)
This is my go-to when I waited too late for lunch and just need food fast. It’s a mini charcuterie board with no meat (though you could add meat if you wanted) which the Internet has taken to calling “Girl Lunch”. Usually I’ll eat an an assortment of the following depending on what I have on hand:
- Sliced apple or pear
- Cheese slices
- Handful of nuts
- Olives, pickles, or fermented veggies
- Dried fruit such as figs or apricots
I’m literally going to go eat this “Girl Lunch” right now! Leave a comment to share your favorite work-from-home lunch ideas that are filling, healthy, and delicious and won’t cause a post-lunch crash!
