8 Healthy packed lunch ideas for the summer

As the weather becomes warmer, we’re looking forward to salads and lighter bites for lunch

Getting tired of the same old boring cheese sandwich for lunch every day? Ditch the sarnie and create some delicious homemade lunches that you can look forward to this week.

Fuel your brain

There is a link between healthy eating and productivity. B vitamins, folates and healthy fats such as omega 3 can help brain function, which in turn will help you feel more alert in the afternoon. Protein-rich lunches will help provide an essential energy source helping to keep your body healthy.

Fuel your brain and body this summer with our collection of inspiring lunch ideas.

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Quinoa is rich in protein, fibre and nutrients making it a nourishing lunchtime choice.

Combine quinoa, chopped red pepper, cubed cucumber, shallots, chickpeas, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of parsley in a bowl and pour over olive oil, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and season well. Leave for 1 hour or serve immediately if you prefer.

Frittata

Frittata is easy to make the night before giving you a quick and easy leftover lunch. It’s also versatile, so you can a wide variety of tasty veggie ingredients.

To make a basic frittata all you need are eggs and a greased ovenproof dish. Add cheeses such as feta or cheddar, vegetables such as courgette, potato, peas, tomato, red pepper, spring onions, spinach or broccoli, or meats such as ham. Don’t forget some flavoursome herbs such as parsley to really bring out the flavours. Yummy!

Coronation chicken salad

Use leftover roast chicken meat to create a spicy and tasty pick-me-up sandwich for lunch.

Mix mayonnaise, 2-3 tsp mild curry powder, a little cinnamon and 2 tbsp mango chutney to 500g shredded cooked chicken. Season with black pepper and combine well. Serve in crusty bread with lettuce or cucumber for added crunch.

Wraps and Pitta Bread

Why not ditch the usual bread and try a wrap or pitta bread to add a little variety to your lunch?

Stuff pitta breads or wraps with prawn or egg mayo, cooked turkey or chicken, pulled pork, pesto, strips of cucumber, spring onion and lettuce leaves for a satisfying and tasty lunch.

BLT Pasta Salad

A pasta salad provides a hearty lunch that can be prepared quickly the night before. If you’re having pasta for tea, cook a little extra for the next day for something you can grab from the fridge on the way out.

Combine cooked and cooled pasta with crispy cooked bacon rashers, spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, a spoonful of crème fraiche and a touch of wholegrain mustard and combine. Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley.

‘Pot’ noodle

Easy to prepare the night before, add rice noodles and thinly sliced courgette, red pepper, carrots, spring onions, broccoli stems, beansprouts along with meat such as chicken strips (if you wish) in a flip top glass jar along with a chicken stock cube.

Add the chicken first (if using), then soy sauce, hot sauce and lime juice. Layer the veggies then crumble over a stock cube and pack the noodles on top. Leave in the fridge to store. When you are ready to eat, simply pour hot water over the top and leave for around five minutes to infuse for a satisfyingly healthy ‘pot’ noodle.

Mediterranean Salad

Enjoy the rich flavours of summer with a deliciously flavoursome Mediterranean salad.

Combine juicy ripe tomatoes, salty olives and feta cheese with a bag of salad leaves, cucumber and a simple French dressing for a lighter lunch that’s packed with protein and low in carbs.

Niçoise Salad

A classic niçoise salad is an easy, delicious and protein-rich option for lunch to keep you going all afternoon.

Hard boil 2 eggs and add cooked and cooled new potatoes, fine green beans, ½ a red onion, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce and Kalamata olives. Add tuna too if you wish. Drizzle with olive oil and enjoy!

We hope you enjoyed this selection of lunch ideas. Let us know what you think or whether you have tried any this week!