Easy Lunch/Dinner Ideas
Deli Sandwich
Choose 1-2 slices of bread or a pita
Load up on lean meat (turkey, chicken, tuna, etc)
1-2 slices of cheese (low fat if you want lower calories)
Any type of veggies (the more the better)
Low calories dressings (mustard, honey mustard, light mayo, bolthouse dressing, oil/vinegar, etc)
Chicken Salad
3-5 oz of grilled chicken breast (home cooked, rotisserie chicken, trader joes grilled chicken slices, air fry chicken nuggets, etc)
2-3 cups mixed dark greens
1 cup other veggies (tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, etc)
1/2-1 cup fruit (optional-berries, apples, etc)
1-2 TBSP nuts or avocado (pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc)
1-2 TBSP Low Calorie Dressing (Bolthouse Dressing, Lemon Juice, Italian Dressing, Oil/Vinegar, etc)
Protein Burger
4 oz extra lean ground (or one patty) cooked
Wrap in lettuce
Add Veggies (tomato, pickles, banana peppers, onion, etc)
1 Slice cheese
Dressings (mustard, honey mustard, light mayo, ketchup, bolthouse dressing, etc)
Enjoy with fries cooked in the oven or air fryer. You can also ditch the fries and eat the burger with a bun. (or both depending on what the rest of your day of intake looks like)
Chicken or Turkey Ranch Wrap
1 whole grain tortilla (can get low carb)
3-4 oz grilled chicken breast
Add Veggies (lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, pickles, banana peppers, onion, etc)
1-2 T reduced fat ranch dressing or Bolthouse Ranch Dressing or Mix Ranch Powder in Greek Yogurt
Sashimi
3-6 oz sashimi (6 pc)
1/2-3/4 cup rice steamed
Side salad of mixed greens with asian dressing
PB&J
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 T peanut butter or almond butter
1 T all fruit preserves
1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1% OR 1 Protein Shake
Turkey Chili
1 onion
1 bell pepper
1/2 TBSP Garlic
1.5-2Ib Ground Turkey
1 can crushed tomato 28oz
2 cans of beans
2 small sweet potatoes cubed, optional
1 Chili Seasoning Packet
Cook: Sauté veggies, cook meat, throw in the rest of the ingredients & simmer for 30-90min
Option: Garnish with jalapeño, hot sauce, Greek yogurt as sour cream, cheese
Pizza
1 Whole grain English muffin, tortilla, or slice of bread
1/2-3/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
1/8 cup parmesan
3-4 oz meat (grilled chicken breast, ground beef, pepperonis, etc)
1/2-1 cup veggies (onion, peppers, tomatoes, etc)
Cook in the air fryer or toaster oven
Baked/Air Fryer Fish or Chicken Dinner
4 oz of fish (cod, tilapia, salmon) or chicken tenders
1 egg
1/4 cup seasoned flour (salt, pepper, cayenne, onion powder, etc)
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 cup steamed or baked veggies
1/2-1 cup of rice or potatoes
Dip your meat in the flour, then scrambled egg, then Breadcrumps. Then bake or airfryer till golden and cooked through. Enjoy with veggies and rice or potatoes on the side.
Taco Meat
Sauté bell pepper, onion, & jalapeño (optional)
Once the the veggies are softened, add in the ground turkey or ground lean beef or ground chicken
Add in homemade taco seasoning or a taco seasoning packet
(Homemade: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt)
Taco Meat Meals
Taco Salad: Taco meat, lettuce, beans, rice, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, cheese, lime
Tacos: Corn tortilla or low carb tortillas, taco meat, cheese (optional), cilantro, onion, salsa, light sour cream or greek yogurt
Taco Bowls: Rice, beans, taco meat, veggies, salsa, cheese, light sour cream or greek yogurt
Jalapeño Popper Casserole
3-4 chicken breasts
Garlic salt
8oz light cream cheese
3-5 jalapeño
Shredded cheese
Stack in a cooking dish in order bottom to top and baked @ 375 degree for 40-45min
Protein Pasta
Ground chicken, turkey or lean beef cooked in Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper
Protein or wheat pasta
Pasta sauce
Parmesan cheese
Sautéed or baked veggies and/or side salad
Shrimp Tacos
Raw deveined shrimp pan fried with cooking spray and taco seasoning
Cabbage
Sauce: greek yogurt, lime, & hot sauce (can add honey for a hint of sweetness)
Corn or low carb tortillas
Cilantro