Never have a basic lunch again

It’s easy to get stuck with having the same lunch every day, especially when a sandwich or soup can seem like such an easy option. If you’re sick of your typical midday meals, here are some suggestions for trying something new with your lunches.

Sandwiches

The base

Bread is always a good base, particularly is it’s brown or wholegrainbread. But remember, you don’t have to use bread every time. You can try other bread based foods like pitta pockets, bagels, wraps or crackers. Even if the filling is the same or similar, switching out your base will help to change things up.

The fillings

If you’re tired of basic fillings like ham and cheese, thing of other combinations to experiement with. Try some tuna and cucumber, peanut butter and banana, falafel balls and hummus, or turkey, tomato and lettuce. 

Salads

Salads are an easy and healthy lunch option. You can add whatever veg you fancy from peppers, lettuce, onions, broccoli, spinach – it can even be nice to add some mint leaves. Experiment with different vegetables, and even fruit – orange or apple slices can add some sweetness to your salad. For protein, add some chicken, or try adding cooked quinoa for a non-meat option. If you feel like a salad won’t quite fill you up enough, try it with a whole grain pasta.

Hot lunches

If you have facilities on your lunch break for heating up food, try the following:

Homemade soup

Some old fashioned vegetable soup is always a nice way to fill up. You can alternate with ingredients like chicken and noodles, leek and potato, and tomato and herbs.

Baked potato

Baked potatoes are filling, tasty and you can mix and match what toppings to put with them. You could try cheese and tuna, bacon and sweet corn, beef and tomato, or turkey and ham. If you prefer to not have meat try spinach and mushrooms, or black beans, corn and avocado as your filling.

Lasagne

Lasagne is one dish that can be nice cold and reheated. There are lots of great vegetarian lasagne recipes as well that you could fill with beans, quinoa, and vegetables. You could cook it early in the week and get a few days out of it for lunches or dinners.

The classic chicken fillet roll

Feeling brave? Why not try Avril’s recipe for homemade chicken fillet rolls:

Wash it down with water, fruit juice, milk or a smoothie. Try to get a piece of fruit in on the side with your lunch – and help tick a few more off your 5 a day off.