23 Easy Clean-Eating Lunches That Beat Holiday Burnout

December 27, 2020

Try one of these easy lunch recipes to beat the post-holiday fatigue. These clean-eating lunch recipes focus on whole foods while limiting processed foods and refined grains. Plus, they’re also lower in sodium, sugar and calories, so you can feel refreshed. Recipes like Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Bowl and Veggie & Hummus Sandwich are healthy and take 20 minutes or less to make.

Start Slideshow

1 of 23

Mexican Cabbage Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Based on a popular weight-loss plan, this healthy cabbage soup recipe gets tons of flavor and a metabolism-boosting kick from spicy chiles.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 23

Mediterranean Chickpea Quinoa Bowl

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein. Whip up a batch of these Mediterranean meals and pack in containers with lids to stash in the fridge for easy, healthy grab & go lunches all week long.

3 of 23

Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement

4 of 23

Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Hearty yet simple to prepare, this stuffed sweet potato with black beans, kale and hummus dressing is a fantastic 5-ingredient lunch for one!

5 of 23

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal.

6 of 23

Open-Face Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tomato & Avocado Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This simple lunch comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a great option for busy days.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 23

Black Bean-Quinoa Buddha Bowl

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Treat your Buddha bowl to a vacation south of the border! This black bean and quinoa Buddha bowl has the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the greasy fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

8 of 23

Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories.

9 of 23

White Bean & Avocado Toast

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mashed avocado and white beans make for a fiber-rich and creamy topping, the perfect partner for a crispy slice of toast. Try it for a quick breakfast or snack.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 23

Vegan Superfood Buddha Bowls

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This nutrient-packed vegan Buddha 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.

11 of 23

Flat-Belly Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This salad is a helpful tool for weight loss because it provides a good balance of fiber, protein and healthy fats from loads of veggies and beans, all tossed in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette. To meal-prep these for lunch throughout the week, pack the dressing and the salad separately and make sure your veggies are thoroughly dried before packing them together.

12 of 23

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this Buffalo wings-inspired chicken salad, Greek yogurt replaces more than half of the mayonnaise. We like the flavor of Frank's RedHot hot sauce, but Sriracha and Tabasco are delicious options too. Serve this healthy chicken salad as an open-face sandwich or scoop it on top of fresh salad greens.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 23

Italian Vegetable Hoagies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This delightfully easy, and somewhat messy, sandwich packs a punch with sweet balsamic vinegar, artichoke hearts, red onion, provolone cheese and zesty pepperoncini. We love it for dinner as well as lunch. If you're packing the hoagies to take along, keep the ingredients separate and assemble right before eating to avoid soggy bread. Serve with tomato and cucumber salad.

14 of 23

Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean Tacos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These hearty vegan tacos are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. They are so tasty no one will miss the meat or dairy.

15 of 23

Mozzarella, Basil & Zucchini Frittata

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This vegetable-studded frittata recipe is one of the quickest meals you can make. Make it for breakfast, or serve for lunch or dinner with a tossed salad and a slice of olive oil-drizzled crusty baguette.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 23

Tuna Salad Spread

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy twist on tuna salad uses avocado and Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise. Serve it on cucumber slices, butter lettuce leaves or whole-grain crackers.

17 of 23

Spicy Ramen Cup of Noodles

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make your own cup of instant soup at home with this vegetarian ramen recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.

18 of 23

Greek Salad with Edamame

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Edamame adds protein to the classic Greek salad: romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, feta and olives. Serve with toasted pita brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with dried oregano or za'atar.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 23

Salmon Pita Sandwich

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This quick lunch recipe is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s thanks to the canned sockeye salmon. If you're bringing this sandwich for lunch, keep the salmon salad separate and stuff the pita just before eating.

20 of 23

Classic Dill Chicken Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We lightened up the creamy dressing in this healthy chicken salad recipe with a combo of mayonnaise and plain Greek yogurt. Dill, grapes, celery and walnuts make up this classic chicken salad but feel free to experiment with your favorite fruit, vegetables and herbs. Serve it open-face on toasted bread or scoop it on top of fresh salad greens.

21 of 23

Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 23

Peanut Butter-Banana English Muffin

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Peanut butter and banana are the original power couple. Top a simple toasted English muffin with the duo, then sprinkle everything with a hit of ground cinnamon for a healthy breakfast of champions.

23 of 23

Tuna & Avocado Sweet Potato Toast

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the bread and eat more vegetables! This healthy sweet potato toast recipe has a bit of Asian inspiration with pickled ginger, nori and sesame seeds. Enjoy with a cup of matcha green tea.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next