Brown bag lunches save you money and calories by giving you complete control over what you eat. Preparing your own lunches allows you to cook the food in a healthier manner, such as baking instead of frying. Many healthy lunch ideas work well when prepared the night before. The typical sandwich and carrot sticks get boring. Compiling a list of creative and healthy lunch ideas helps you lose weight without leaving your taste buds disappointed.
Leftover Wrap
A sandwich wrap gives your leftovers a makeover, making them more appealing in your brown bag lunch. A whole wheat tortilla or sandwich wrap creates the base for the healthy work lunch. Add in the nutritious leftovers from the previous night's meal to create the filling of the wrap. For example, you might cut up leftover grilled chicken and add the leftover steamed vegetables you served the night before. Add additional low-calorie flavorings, such as mustard, low-fat cheese and other vegetables. The contents of this lunch wrap are completely flexible. Simply use what you have on hand to load the wrap.
Stir Fry
Stir fry prepared at home allows you to control all of the ingredients, allowing you to increase the health value. For the healthiest stir fry, include a variety of vegetables and some lean protein, such as chicken breast. Vegetables that work well in a stir fry include asparagus, sugar snap peas, peppers, onions, mushrooms, carrots and celery. Some grocery stores sell bags of frozen stir fry vegetables for easier preparation. If you don't own a wok, simply saute your choice of meats and vegetables in a large skillet with a small amount of olive or canola oil. Top the cooked vegetables with a low-calorie stir fry sauce, which is available in most stores in the Asian foods section. Serve over brown rice or other healthy grains. The stir fry reheats well in a microwave at lunch time.
Meat, Cheese, Fruit
"Woman's Day" suggests a fruit and cheese plate for a quick lunch at the office. Adding in some lean meat, such as turkey or chicken, increases the protein in the meal. This may help you feel full longer. Pack individual containers of low-fat cheese chunks, meat pieces, nuts and either an apple or pear, which both go well with cheese. This healthy work lunch doesn't require utensils or prep time at the office, making it an option if you can't break away from your desk at lunch time.
Pasta
Whole wheat pasta works well hot or cold for a versatile lunch option at the office. A drizzle of olive oil or a serving of marinara sauce with low sugar content adds flavor to the pasta. Top the mixture with cooked vegetables, beans, chicken or other favorite items. This bulks up the meal so it will keep you feeling full, according to "Woman's Day." Experiment with different combinations of pasta add-ins for a different lunch each time.
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