:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4565089-c0de19c51de344a68e73343ef998a1fb.jpg)
These veggie-packed lunches come together in just 15 minutes or less. From hearty grain bowls to refreshing salads, these easy meals feature ingredients like cucumbers, chickpeas and kale, so you can enjoy a healthy, vegetable-forward lunch. Recipes like our Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up and Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl are simple, nutritious dishes you’ll look forward to eating at lunchtime.
Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4548023-978d2616c74645aa9e1d5255660a6c7f.jpg)
It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!
Cucumber Sandwich
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cucumber-sandwich-eddcc95811f5426094ea5dbea6a6b026.jpg)
This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together.
Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4526733-45129f82ed554ea1be3ac980d096a6f1.jpg)
With sliced vegetables, a whole-wheat tortilla and baby spinach, these roll-ups make the perfect healthy lunch for your kids to take to school.
Miso Cup Soup
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gut-healthy-miso-soup-beauty-314-cf8a057bd6ce4ed994f46fa53b2505d7.jpg)
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This miso soup is packed with gut-healthy ingredients like miso, a fermented paste that may improve digestion plus reduce gas and bloating. The base of the soup is prepared in advance and stored in separate containers. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply add the broth and heat it in the microwave. If you don’t wish to travel with vegetable broth or don’t have access to a microwave, you can use reduced-sodium bouillon instead and just add hot water. Cover and let the soup stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Veggie & Hummus Sandwich
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4549578-f7c9adab21544beba00679fc371da92c.jpg)
This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables, depending on your mood.
Kale Salad with Quinoa & Chicken
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/50507781-92e2f32868534f979f5fe96b54f96da3.jpg)
Toss the cooked chicken into this healthy salad recipe while it's still warm to lightly wilt the kale, making it softer and easier to eat. Using store-bought salad dressing saves time, but you could also make your own tangy vinaigrette.
Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4565089-c0de19c51de344a68e73343ef998a1fb.jpg)
This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.
Whole-Wheat Veggie Wrap
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/45480311-683ebe94c6d14a8fbb018c6776806b3b.jpg)
Use whichever veggies you have on hand to fill up this veggie wrap. The avocado and hummus help hold the wrap together—and provide heart-healthy fat and fiber.
Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/EWL-269844-vegan-superfood-grain-bowls-Hero-05-53a19621f50a4e6ea764a915640579de.jpg)
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe comes together in 15 minutes with the help of a few convenience-food shortcuts like prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa and precooked beets. Pack these ahead to keep on hand for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.
Kale, Quinoa & Apple Salad
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kale-quinoa-and-apple-salad-1x1-231_1-f8b01295416e4f3eb73925ca5f67d7ac.jpg)
This kale, quinoa and apple salad is perfect for fall. Fresh apples bring crisp autumn flavor, and the kale breaks down when it's massaged with the dressing. Nuts, fennel and quinoa add more layers of texture, while blue cheese lends a savory note.
Veggie & Cream Cheese Sandwich
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/EWSEO-VeggieAndCreamCheeseSandwich-2073-2000-f5b7b06cfa8c454e8c88d50174c6bde7.jpg)
The cream cheese in this veggie and cream cheese sandwich adds flavor while holding everything in place. This colorful, well-balanced sandwich is crispy from the cucumber and peppers, sweet from tomatoes and beets, and tangy from the banana peppers.
Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5238637-e5d5bad461f84a779d746bc94c2105d5.jpg)
This power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens it enough so you don't need to massage or cook it to make it tender.
Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/choppedchicken_0-3ec856c331704ab4a47e98d6690d0f3b.jpg)
This easy salad recipe allows for a wonderful use of leftover cooked chicken. Look for escarole in the produce section near the leafy greens; if you can't find it, you can use romaine instead.
Chickpea & Roasted Red Pepper Lettuce Wraps with Tahini Dressing
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/61835991-29a304dc1cd44247be98e68bd5ae92b0.jpg)
A tangy, nutty tahini dressing brings together no-cook ingredients like canned chickpeas and roasted red peppers for these easy meal-prep lettuce wraps. Make these wraps ahead of time for a grab-and-go lunch or dinner. A few wedges of warm pita finish off the meal perfectly.
Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Brussels-Sprouts-Salad-with-Crunchy-Chickpeas--eaad5f4fef0c43fda59489f6c596dd83.jpg)
This healthy high-fiber salad comes together in just 10 minutes. Serve it right away or pack it in individual servings for four super-satisfying high-fiber lunches for the week ahead. To cut down on prep time, we're using preshredded Brussels sprouts from the produce department and store-bought roasted chickpeas. Look for roasted chickpea snacks with the healthy snacks or nuts at your grocery store.