Easing back into a routine after (a much-needed) summer break isn’t always easy. But with a little prep work and planning ahead, the summer to fall transition can be seamless! While there are many ways to support your mind and your body, prepping your meals — specifically your lunch — is one of the easiest and healthiest things you can do. It requires some planning, but the payoff is worth it! You’ll save money (no need to splurge on an expensive store-bought meal), you’ll support your physical health (by loading up on good-for-you nutrients), and you’ll benefit your mind (brain food is real). And even if you’re working from home, having ready-to-go options will only help support you and your goals. Plus, these packable lunches are kiddo-friendly and will be loved by the whole family!
We have you covered with 12 delicious packable lunches that you’ll love even if you aren’t going back to school.
The Key Components of a Healthy Packable Lunch
First, let’s discuss two key components to building a healthy packable lunch: ingredients and balance.
Step One: Focus on Eating for Nutrient Density
You want your lunch to be filling, nourishing, and full of nutrient-dense foods. By doing this, you’ll avoid sneaky sugars, artificial ingredients, and processed foods! Plus, you’ll keep your blood sugar stable and your energy levels high. Goodbye brain fog and mid-day fatigue!
Step Two: Build a Balanced Plate (or Box)
Ingredients are ultra-important, but it doesn’t stop there! Bringing balance to your plate matters, too! By this, we mean building each meal with a balanced ratio of macronutrients. Your packable lunch should include:
Clean Protein: Like turkey, chicken, wild-caught salmon, Greek yogurt, hard-boiled eggs
Healthy Fats: Such as avocados, nuts, seeds
Complex Carbs: Think fruits, veggies, quinoa, oats
Filling Fiber: Made from whole grains, fruits, veggies, and other whole-food nutrients
Let’s take a closer look at what this looks like with 12 healthy packable lunches you’ll actually look forward to eating each day.
12 Healthy & Delicious Packable Lunches
These can all be adjusted based on taste or food preference. Don’t like turkey? Try chicken instead. Want to make it dairy-free? Skip the cheese or swap it out for a plant-based alternative!
#1 Healthy Turkey Club Sandwich
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 gluten-free sandwich bun or sliced bread
- 1 tbsp avocado-based mayonnaise
- 2 slices of turkey breast (like Applegate brand)
- 1 slice of cooked bacon
- ¼ avocado, sliced
- Lettuce and tomato
Directions:
Step #1: Start by adding the mayo to the sandwich bun along with the turkey and bacon.
Step #2: Top with avocado, lettuce, and tomato.
Step #3: Add to your packable lunch container along with any other optional add-ins.
Pack With:
- Nuts of choice: almonds, walnuts, cashews
- Fruit of choice: berries, grapes, apple, clementine
- Sliced veggies: carrots, cucumber, celery
#2 Turkey Burger & Greens Bento Box
Low-carb lunch ideas are some of the easiest meals to customize. Craving carbs? Toss in some grilled sweet potatoes from last night’s dinner!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cooked turkey burger or sliced roasted turkey breast
- 1 cup broccoli florets, steamed
- 4 small cheddar cheese cubes (optional)
- Dressing of choice for drizzling
Directions:
Step #1: Add all ingredients minus the dressing to a bento-style lunch box.
Step #2: Drizzle with dressing of choice.
Step #3: Pack to enjoy as a simple and filling on the go lunch.
Pack With:
- Fresh fruit of choice
- Almond flour crackers (like Simple Mills brand)
#3 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Pasta Salad
Sometimes the yummiest meal prep lunch ideas are a product of dinner leftovers. Transform last night’s pasta and veggies into a delicious pasta salad with ease.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked gluten-free pasta (use chickpea or lentil pasta for added protein!)
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar or Italian dressing (like Primal Kitchen brand)
- ½ cup cannellini beans (optional for added protein)
- 1/4 tomato, cubed
- ½ cucumber, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped red onion
- Freshly chopped herbs of choice
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Step #1: Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and toss to combine.
Step #2: Transfer to an on-the-go lunch container and enjoy!
Pack With:
- Side of fresh fruit of choice.
- Piece of 70% or darker dark chocolate.
#4 Healthy Chicken Salad
Protein-packed, low-carb lunch ideas don’t have to be complicated. And this healthy packable lunch is easy to customize for any eating plan or meal preference. Don’t like chicken? Swap it out for a protein-rich substitute like salmon or chickpeas!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- 2 tbsp chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp avocado-based mayo
- Freshly chopped herbs of choice (dill is super yummy!)
- Drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Pinch of sea salt and pepper
Directions:
Step #1: Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix well.
Step #2: Transfer to a container that’s easy to take on the go and serve on its own or with lettuce leaves.
Pack With:
- Almond flour crackers with nut butter (like Simple Mills brand)
- Banana, or fruit of choice
#5 Avocado Turkey Roll-Ups
If you’re looking for nutritious low-carb lunch ideas with minimal prep time and clean-up, look no further.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 3 slices roasted turkey breast (like Applegate brand)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ avocado, sliced
Directions:
Step #1: Start by adding the mustard and sliced avocado to the center of each slice of turkey. Roll up and add to your packable lunch container (such as a bento-style box).
Pack With:
- Sliced bell pepper and cucumber served with hummus
- Fruit of choice
#6 Breakfast For Lunch Bento Box
When in doubt, breakfast for lunch is always a good idea. Meal prep lunch ideas made simple.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cooked rolled oats
- 1 hard-boiled egg
- ½ sliced banana
- Sprinkle of hemp seeds
- Drizzle of pure maple syrup
Directions:
Step #1: Add the rolled oats to a bento-style box and serve alongside a sliced hard-boiled egg and sliced banana.
Step #2: Sprinkle with hemp seeds and enjoy with a drizzle of pure maple syrup
Pack With:
- ½ sliced avocado
#7 Mediterranean Lunch Box
Ingredients:
- ½ cup carrot, sliced
- ½ cup cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, sliced
- ¼ cup olives
- 2 oz mozzarella
- ¼ cup tzatziki
Pack With:
- Single-serve hummus packs
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Grain-free crackers or pita bread
Directions:
Step #1: Add all ingredients to a bento-style lunch box, customizing as needed. Swap out the mozzarella for hummus, or add in some hard-boiled eggs or nut butter packs for added protein!
#8 The Ultimate Energizing Snack Pack
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oats, rolled
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs
Directions:
Step #1: To prep the energy balls, add all ingredients minus the cacao nibs to a food processor or high-speed blender and blend until the mixture comes together. Add the cacao nibs and pulse again until combined.
Step #2: Add the mixture to a bowl and set in the fridge for 15 minutes. Once chilled, roll into bite-sized rounds.
Step #3: Add to your packable lunch container along with any other optional add-ins such as mixed berries, nut or seed butter, and hard-boiled eggs.
Pack With:
- Sliced banana or mixed berries
- single-serve nut or seed butter
- Hard-boiled eggs
#9 Mason Jar Salad
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tbsp salad dressing of choice
- ½ cup protein of choice (such as pre-cooked chicken breast, tofu, beans, or lentils)
- ½ cup chopped veggies of choice (such as cucumbers or tomatoes)
- ¼ cup nuts or seeds of choice (such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or hemp seeds)
- 1-2 cups chopped salad greens (such as arugula, romaine, spinach, or baby kale)
Directions:
Step #1: In a wide-mouth mason jar, add the salad dressing of choice to the bottom layer.
Step #2: Layer the salad ingredients on top, adding any veggies of choice.
Step #3: Top with additional add-ins, such as pumpkin seeds, walnuts, or sliced fruit.
Step #4: Pack in a lunch box with any additional ingredients such as mixed berries, cucumber, avocado, hummus, or sliced cheese.
Step #5: When ready to serve, shake the jar to mix everything together.
Pack With:
- Mixed berries
- ¼ avocado
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Sliced cucumber
#10 Sunflower Butter and Banana Pinwheels
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp sunflower seed butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 1 Banana, sliced
- 2 tortillas of choice
Directions:
Step #1: Before starting, you may want to soften the tortilla by microwaving for 10-15 seconds. This will prevent tearing.
Step #2: Next, spread the sunflower seed butter on a whole wheat tortilla or tortilla of choice.
Step #3: Add sliced banana and any additional add-ins (such as granola, honey, or berries).
Start at the edge of the tortilla and roll up tightly.
Slice into pinwheels and add to a bento-style lunch box with any additional lunch ingredients.
Pack With:
- Fresh fruit of choice, such as mixed berries
- Sliced raw veggies of choice
- A handful of nuts or seeds, such as almonds or walnuts
#11 Pesto & Parmesan Breakfast Egg Muffins
Ingredients:
- 12 eggs
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup pesto
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt & black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Step #1: Start by preheating the oven to 350°F and grease a muffin tin with oil.
Step #2: Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl and whisk well. Season with salt and pepper and add the chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, and parmesan cheese.
Step #3: Pour the egg mixture into the muffin tins, filling halfway.
Step #4: Add 1 teaspoon of pesto to each egg muffin.
Step #5: Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the muffins are set and cooked through.
Step #6: Pack in your lunch box!
Pack With:
- ¼ avocado
- Nuts or seeds of choice
- Sliced raw veggies of choice
- Grain-free crackers or pita bread
#12 Herby Egg Salad
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup celery, diced
- 4 eggs, chopped (or sub 1 can rinsed and drained chickpeas)
- ½ cup mixed greens
- 1 green onion
- ⅛ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp dill leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- ½ tbsp dijon mustard
- sea salt & black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Step #1: Add the yogurt, mayo, and mustard to a bowl. Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Step #2: Transfer to a container that’s easy to take on the go. Serve on its own or enjoy with lettuce leaves, pita bread, or almond-based chips or crackers.
Pack With:
- Single-serve hummus packs
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Almond flour crackers (such as Simple Mills) with nut butter or cheese
Meal Prep Upgrade Tips
Put your healthy packable lunch ideas to good use with these simple hacks.
#1 Plan Out Your Meals in Advance!
When it comes to meal prep lunch ideas, gather your inspiration a week in advance to allow plenty of time to plan out your menu.
#2 Organize Your Pantry and Fridge
Before you can start prepping your packable lunch ideas, you’ll need all the ingredients! Take an inventory of your kitchen to determine what items are missing.
#3 Buy Bulk
Having staples on hand and ready to use (like oats, sweet potatoes, and quinoa) can make meal prep lunch ideas come to life with ease. This works for low-carb lunch ideas, too! Fill your kitchen with nuts, seeds, and frozen staples like broccoli — you’ll save time and money.
#4 Make a List!
This is the most important rule when planning meal prep lunch ideas. Never go to the store empty-handed!
#5 Treat Yourself to a New Lunch Box or Bag
There’s just something about enjoying lunch from a bento box or packing your lunch in a stylish lunch bag that makes prepping your lunch a bit more exciting, right? Just like buying a new workout outfit may help boost motivation, treating yourself to a new lunch box or lunch bag may be just what you need to get inspired to whip up some of these healthy packable lunches all year long!
Give Your Packable Lunches an Upgrade
No matter what this season of life looks like for you (back to school, back to work, staying at home), upgrading your lunch with some drool-worthy and equally as nourishing meal prep lunch ideas is always a good plan.
So, use these twelve recipes as an excuse to give your daily lunch a bit of an upgrade — your tastebuds will thank you!
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