Lunch Makeover

Have a case of the brown bag blahs? Whether lunch is at school, the office or your home, you can improve your options – easily and affordably!

  • Value Guru
  • August 13, 2014
Avocado, Lettuce and Tomato Pita Pockets

Avocado, Lettuce and Tomato Pita PocketsHave a case of the brown bag blahs? Whether lunch is at school, the office or your home, you can improve your options – easily and affordably!

Simply choose something from each category below and load up on fruits and veggies. Mix and match, make a sandwich or wrap, cut up veggies for dip or build a bento box.

Enjoy a different lunch every day!

Popcorn Trail Mix

Popcorn Trail MixWHOLE GRAINS

  • Corn or whole wheat tortillas

  • Brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat couscous, barley, wheat berries, buckwheat or millet

  • Granola

  • Multigrain English muffin

  • Popcorn

  • 100% whole grain sandwich bread

  • Wheat crackers or chips

  • Wheat pasta

  • Whole grain pita bread

Salad with Red Grapes and Feta

Salad with Red Grapes and FetaFRUITS

  • Apple

  • Apricot

  • Banana

  • Blueberries

  • Grapes

  • Kiwi

  • Melon

  • Nectarine

  • Orange

  • Peach

  • Pear

  • Pineapple

  • Plum

  • Raspberries

  • Strawberries

Broccoli Salad with Walnuts and Currants

Broccoli Salad with Walnuts and CurrantsHEALTHY FATS

  • Almonds or almond butter (get protein, too!)

  • Avocado

  • Flaxseeds

  • Olives

  • Sunflower seeds

  • Tahini

  • Walnuts

Tuscan Tuna Salad Sandwich

Tuscan Tuna Salad SandwichPROTEIN

  • Beans

  • Canned tuna or salmon

  • Cheese

  • Cottage cheese

  • Edamame

  • Ham, turkey or chicken

  • Hard-boiled egg

  • Hummus

  • Lean beef

  • Nut butters

  • Seitan

  • Shrimp

  • Tempeh

  • Tofu

  • Yogurt

Zesty Spiced Cauliflower

Zesty Spiced CauliflowerVEGETABLES

  • Asparagus

  • Artichokes

  • Bell pepper

  • Broccoli

  • Cabbage wedges

  • Carrots

  • Cauliflower

  • Celery

  • Cucumber

  • Eggplant

  • Green beans

  • Jicama

  • Leafy greens

  • Peas

  • Snap peas

  • Summer squash

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Tomato (technically a fruit)

  • Zucchini

This is just the start. What’s your favorite addition to a well-balanced lunch? Share it in the comments section below.  

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