Healthy Lunch Ideas - Chicago,IL

I love can chicken.

You can do so many different things with it.

My favorite is, Chicken Salad, made with fat free mayo, pickles, onions, grapes, and celery. You can eat it with a fork or in a pita. Any way you like really. You can even add a slice of cheese..

I'm gonna go ahead and guess that a plain Nathan's hotdog with no bun is not going to make your list. ;)

My kids like apple slices and peanut butter- or a peanut butter and apple slice sandwich (granny smiths only please). My son, who will eat all kinds of "adult" fare, likes a good tuna sandwich- or just rolled up in lettuce (like the lettuce is a wrap or tortilla).. with a little mustard and black olives. Some chunked watermelon on the side and he's good.

I make Turkey chili and Chicken Noodle soup once a month and freeze into lunch size portions. I thaw a bag each night and dump into a bowl and off I go. Simple a healthy. Plus I found I am losing a little by having more protien versu the salads I was eating daily.

My favorite these days is a wrap. I use high fiber tortilla wraps and fill it with chicken slices, cucumber, pepper, sprouts, avocado slices and little bit of dijon mustard. It's yummy!

These are our faves:

Pita triangles with hummus
Sandwich wraps (on flatbread instead of regular bread)
Tuna salad wrapped in romaine leaves (it's awesome)
Assorted veggies with a side of ranch

Also, something that's really helped me..I always carry an apple with me in my purse. That way, if I get hungry or in the mood for a snack, I have it right at my fingertips.

Good for you! It's fun to see everyone's lunch ideas because it's so easy to get stuck in a rut. Here are a few of my staples:

-PBJ sandwiches (so good when using natural/organic chunky PB on whole grain bread)
-Yogurt parfait (love them with fresh fruit and granola)
-Anything in a whole wheat tortilla (I don't eat meat so I usually stuff it with veggies, hummus and feta)
-Black bean soup (easy receipe is to use 1 can of BB, 1/2 jar of your favorite salsa and top with plain yogurt & cilantro-- you could also add garlic or top with cheese)
-Eggs! Cheese omlettes are always great.
-We always have plenty easy to grab snacks on hand too like apples, baby carrots, etc.

Bagel or pita chips w/hummus.

Tuna fish mixed w/minced carrots.

Grill or fry chunks of firm tofu in a little bit of oil and soy sauce and throw on a salad...or just eat it by itself.

Egg salad w/chunks of chicken.

Cheese plates - cut up cheese, dried fruit (craisins, cheeries or blueberries) and summer sausage.

Cucumber & tomato sandwhiches on whole grain low fat bread.

Berry milkshakes (frozen berries, plain low fat yogurt and low fat milk).

Fresh berries mixed w/cottage cheese.

Fresh melons mixed w/cottage cheese.

Strawberries sprinkled w/feta or blue cheese and wrapped in spinach leaves (like Spinach wraps)

That's all I can think of. I always choose low fat vs non fat b/c most low fat has less sugar, when it comes to mayo or spreads. An alternative to mayo and spreads though is hummus or mushed up avacado.

Salad with lots of veggies and red wine vinegar for dressing. (Your feta would be great on this!!
Turkey and veggie tortilla roll up.
I also love homemade tuna and chicken salad on lettuce.
Tortilla pizza

I try to include one or two of our five-a-day at lunch. Usually raw and prewashed to save time. I use carrots, celery with peanut butter, etc. My kids are old enough now where they get themselves healthy snacks, too. Feed them fruits and veggies when young - it pays!
You might like this article I wrote about getting the five-a-day into a busy schedule:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Busy-Families-and-the-Five-a-Day-...