Sometimes it’s hard to find a good non-carb lunch. You don’t always have time to get creative, or even make the right choices. Let us help. Here are 20 non-carb lunch recipes to help keep you motivated all day.
Let’s play out (what could be) a familiar scenario. It’s 1 in the afternoon. You are in a mad rush to meet a deadline and have little time for lunch. You order a salad sandwich, or a tomato and olive focaccia. It’s eaten before the delivery person has even left the building.
Was this a quick fix or recipe for a crash landing?
This is how it all ends up. By 3, you are no longer on top of your work. You are no longer working at your peak. You must resort to coffee to fight sleepiness.
Let’s give this exhausting scenario a rewrite and stop with the carbs.
It’s 1 in the afternoon… You choose one of the following non-carb lunches and before you know it, you are firing on all cylinders.
1. Basic Green Smoothie
Green Smoothies are a great way to fight sleepiness. These are packed full of fibre, protein, and oils that keep you satiated and alert.
Bolster your regular green smoothie with extra nuts to give it an extra punch of protein and oils.
Add 2 tablespoons of cashew nuts and 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds to make a delicious nutty smoothie.
Adding 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil adds medium chain triglycerides (MCT). These oils are easily digested, absorbed, and nourishing for the body. Unlike other fats, they put little strain on the digestive system and provide a quick source of energy.
2. Detox Salad + Ginger Lime Cardamom Dressing
You can still be detoxing while having lunch, without any of the headaches. This salad is so vibrant and tasty you will have to make sure to store it in a dark container so your co-workers will not steal it from you.
3. Roast Beetroot & Pumpkin Salad
There are many salads you can choose. Bring your own made of leftover vegetables from that roast you had the evening before. Being prepared makes for tasty lunches.
4. Tangled Thai Salad
Just because carbs are off the menu for lunch, it does not mean you have to give up on a quick pasta! This is a twist on vegetables you may have not considered before. I can assure you that once you try this dish you will be a convert.
5. Mango, Banana & Cashew Nut Sundance
I love the taste of fresh mango when summer arrives. Mix 1/2 mango and 1 banana top with 1/2 cup yogurt and you will be in your own tropical paradise at your work desk. The addition of 1/4 cup of cashew nuts gives it an extra protein kick to see you rocking until the end of the work day.
6. Berry and Yogurt Delight
This is one of my absolute favorite lunchtime meals. Mix 1 cup of berries (blackberries, strawberries and blueberries) with 1/2 cup full cream yogurt topped with sesame seeds. Not only is this lunch refreshing but also high in protein and delicious.
7. Flourless Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
There’s nothing wrong with a little chocolate with your lunch, especially if it includes an entire cup of shredded zucchini! These muffins are gluten free. They combine almond butter, bananas, zucchini, and cocoa powder to form a protein-filled snack. Pair this with a hard boiled egg and you are set to move on.
8. Creamy Asparagus Soup
This Creamy Asparagus Soup is a hit in any lunch room. It comes together easily and requires minimal time in front of the stove. Even better, it travels well and reheats even better, so you can make a batch early in the week for quick lunches at work.
9. Curried Tuna Salad With Apples
Who says tuna can only be put in a sandwich for lunch. These are a great variation that will give you crunch and tastes great.
10. Layered Salad in a Jar
What a novel idea. Salad in a jar.
No more soggy salad leaves, just give the jar a good shake when you are ready to eat and you have a salad to go. Pour out into a bowl or eat straight from the jar.
11. Healthy Charro Beans
These are not only packed with protein, but they’re also tasty too.
Make up this recipe as a side dish to your evening meal but keep some leftover for your lunch the next day.
12. Mushroom Cauliflower Risotto
With Paelo on the rise, cauliflower has made a big impact on many “alternative” recipes.
This risotto is easy to make and tastes divine.
13. Malwani Chicken Recipe
This chicken recipe is cooked in spicy gravy made with the flavor of malwani masala. Make it up the evening before for dinner and hopefully the family will leave you some leftovers for lunch the next day!
14. Vegan Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup
Sweet potatoes and split peas are two of my favorite meat alternatives. Packed full of protein, this soup will have you firing on all cylinders from lunch until closing.
15. Mushroom and Bean Salad
The beauty of this recipe is that you can have this prepared in just 15 minutes.
16. Cauliflower Steaks
It’s time to get adventurous and add this recipe to your lunches. It’s light, but it’s also full of protein.
I would be keeping this one hidden from your co-workers!
17. Apple Sandwiches with Almond Butter
There is more than one way to make a sandwich.
This one just happens to be one the whole family will enjoy.
18. Mexican Grilled Corn
I used to only have my corn with butter, but since discovering this recipe my corn is no longer boring.
19. Easy Bake Breakfast Casserole
When I first came across this recipe I thought this could be a bit rich for breakfast – but I made it anyway.
My twist to this recipe is that I make up a good batch and have it for lunches for a couple of days.
20. Tomato, Spinach and Feta Frittata
Super quick, super easy.
Made up in no time.
Enjoy!!
