18 Healthy Summer Lunch Ideas to keep you energized throughout the workday! Beat the afternoon slump with these nourishing, delicious lunch recipes.
When I used to work in an office, I would – without fail – experience the afternoon slump every single day.
I’d enjoy the office snacks (packaged rice crispy treats and peanut butter stuffed pretzels) throughout the morning, eat a carb-forward lunch, and come 2pm had zero energy or focus left in my body.
So I’d do what any hard worker would do. I’d get a delicious blended sugar-filled coffee drink to try to inject life back into my veins.
Little did I know, the behavior of trying to get ahead of my fatigue was ultimately causing the fatigue.
One of the miracles I experienced when I started eating a whole food diet ten years ago, was not only were those afternoon slumps non-existent, I had more energy I knew what to do with!
I became more focused, more alert, and everything I did. From work to workouts to conversations with friends, I felt I became sharper.
The purpose of these summer lunch ideas is to prevent any blood sugar spike and crash, which can occur with a heavy or carb-centric meal or regular sugar consumption.
Those protein and fat centric lunches will keep you satiated, awake and focused! On the flipside, those carb-included dinners will help you sleep better at night and help you recover from exercise!
Let’s get to it! I hope you enjoy incorporating these tasty dishes into your weekly routine!
18 Healthy Summer Lunch Ideas:
My Current Favorite Salad Recipe – This big sassy salad has everything you need to keep your energy level through the roof! Loaded with flavors, textures and color, this simple yet filling salad recipe is a powerhouse meal to keep your laser focus all day long.
Cucumber Dill Avocado Tuna Salad This was one of my personal favorite go-to lunches for years! This easy mayo-free tuna salad includes avocado, cucumber, dill, carrots, and bell pepper for lots of flavor and no funny business.
Low-Carb Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls – Whether you follow a low-carb diet or you simply enjoy keeping lunches light, this easy spaghetti squash taco bowl recipe is for you. Top these beauties with your favorite toppings for a flavorful lunch! Meal prep it ahead of time, pack it up, and take it to go!
Zucchini Yellow Squash Soup – Do you eat soup year round? I do! This easy zucchini and yellow squash soup is loaded with summer produce and makes for a lovely light lunch. Perfect for my friends who grow a home garden.
Turmeric Ginger Ground Turkey Bowls – Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, this well-balanced bowl is packed with lean protein and fiber. You can adjust your carbohydrate intake through adding rice according to your needs. Change up the vegetables and seasonings and you’ll never get tired of this meal!
All the Good Veggies Detox Salad with Lemon Parsley Dressing – Looking for a go-to superfood meal that is loaded with anti-inflammatory health benefits? This detoxifying salad recipe includes plenty of variety, color, and crunch.
30-Minute Sausage and Peppers – This low-carb sausage dish is high in protein, contains healthy fat, and is very versatile. Eat as is or turn it into a sandwich, eat it over brown rice, and/or toss in some extra roasted or sautéed veggies.
Copycat Trader Joe’s Curried Chicken Salad – Have you tried Trader Joe’s curried chicken salad? If you have, you’re welcome! If you haven’t, all you need to know is it’s a true gift to your taste buds. This copycat recipe turns out identical to the Trader Joe’s version, is lighter in fat and will instantly become a household staple for lunches. You can eat it as is, on top of a green salad, or if you’re looking for some carbs, enjoy it on a whole grain bread or gluten-free bread of choice. You can also wrap it in a grain-free or regular tortilla!
Pesto Chicken and Broccoli – I find I experience no afternoon slump if my lunches are protein-centric (in other words, not a lot of carbs). This easy meal can be batch cooked ahead of time and will keep you feeling energized rather than sleepy!
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe – Ideal for those active individuals who eat carbs with every meal to keep blood sugar balanced. Add your choice of animal protein for a balanced meal – leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, tuna, salmon, steak, etc.
Avocado Egg Salad (Mayo-Free) – Just three basic ingredients and a few minutes of prep makes a delicious egg salad! Cook the eggs ahead of time and mix it up when you’re ready for an on-demand lunch.
Ground Turkey Egg Roll Bowls – A deconstructed egg roll turned into a meal! Packed with lean protein and fiber, this easy recipe is flavorful, filling, and so tasty!
Shredded Beef Taco Salad – Vibrant and filling taco salad featuring tender ground beef, fresh mango, a bed of greens and snappy veggies, a with Cilantro-Lime Dressing. My Creamy Avocado Dressing is great in this application too!
Crustless Quiche – I often make crustless quiche, frittatas, and egg casseroles as meal prep recipes to enjoy for lunch. They are so quick and easy to whip up and they yield a lot of food! Plus, you can toss in your favorite veggies, flavors, and protein.
Meal Prep Chicken and Vegetables – A timeless classic in my household! My husband and I are huge on meal prepping so that lunches and dinners are ready for us. This big batch chicken and veggies recipe makes 5-7 meals, depending on how hungry you are. Mix it up with different vegetables.
Greek Tuna Salad – Fresh tuna salad featuring creamy avocado, cucumber, fresh dill, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. This refreshing and light tuna salad recipe is big on flavor and takes only a few minutes to make. Use it for sandwiches, or add it on top of a green salad.
Sesame Turkey Avocado Chopped Salad – This nourishing salad combines delicious fresh vegetables with sliced turkey and an amazing homemade sesame ginger dressing for a crunchy salad that’s loaded with goodies. Worthy of putting on repeat for lunch (or dinner!).
Ground Turkey Thai Curry with Rice – One of my all-time favorite one-pot meals on this site! This turkey curry is super flavorful, healthful, filling, and saves incredibly well. Plus, it is easy to customize using various fresh vegetables and proteins.
Bon appétit
