Easy lunch meal prep ideas

Need easy lunch meal prep ideas?

Do you need quick and easy lunch meal prep ideas for the week? Preparing meals that are tasty, easy to pack, and do not return home uneaten. It seems nearly like an impossible task, right?!
I get these questions all of the time: “How can I prepare and pack a quick lunch? Do you have ideas for healthier meal options?”

So here we go, I created a list of tips that may give you some quick and easy lunch ideas. Whether it is for school lunch boxes or work, these pointers may be a fun way to start trying some new foods and weave in some healthy options while creating a structure that will cut down on the stress in the morning!

Why is lunch such an important meal?

For many of us, lunch is the point in the day when we are the most hungry. Thus, it is important to refuel our bodies with healthy foods that are both filling and satisfying. When you load your lunch with fruits & vegetables, it ensures that the meal contains fiber and vitamins, thus fulfilling these goals.
Your lunch should contain at least two of them. I know that sounds like a lot of produce, however, it is easy than you might think.

However, it’s easier than you may think! Here are some simple tips and also check out the section for Fruity Fridays below.

• Add lettuce, cucumber and tomato to a sandwich
• Include a side of raw carrot sticks with a hummus dip
• Another idea is packing some finger foods such as blueberries, a plum, or some apple slices

How do I get started with prepping a daily lunch?

Packing a lunch is just like anything else: It takes a bit of organization and setting time aside for the preparation. If you pack a school lunch for your kids, it is important to get them involved.

As a mom, I quickly learned that if I want to encourage my children to eat their lunch, I need to get them involved in meal planning and prepping.

What type of lunch box is best?

After preparing your lunch, choosing the right container is key. Using the wrong container will lead to smashed fruit or soggy sandwiches.

Bento Boxes

The bento-style lunch boxes have dividers inside to create small compartments. This separation is handy because it involves less opening and closing of individual containers, which can be a real hassle. Plus, you could even eat your lunch standing or walking around.

Individual Containers

We like to use individual containers with side closures that are

• see-through,
• sustainable such as glass, stainless steel or BPA-free plastic, and
• leak-proof.

Moreover, getting a cute lunch box will make you happy, and it will spark joy when you open your lunch! Part of preparing and taking lunch is transportation, so why not make it fun?

What should I do if the lunch comes back uneaten?

If the food still comes home uneaten, that is OK too. Sometimes, it takes a bit of an adjustment in your weekly menu by adding or subtracting different types of foods to make a more ideal lunch.
These easy adjustments may help:

• Simplify the number of containers in the lunch boxes, it may be overwhelming
• Finger foods are ideal because they do not rely on silverware
• Cut up some larger fruits and veggies into bite sizes
• Adding a squeeze of lemon juice will prevent the browning of cut fruits

How do I create a weekly lunch menu?

As a full-time working mom, I understand the importance of being organized to manage a busy schedule. In my experience, creating a weekly lunch menu helps. For example, how about giving each day of the week a name so that a group of foods fits it?
This is an example of a basic weekly lunch menu:

1. Macaroni Monday
2. Tortilla Tuesday
3. Wildcard Wednesday
4. Thai Thursday
5. Fruity Friday
6. Sandwich Saturday
7. Soup Sunday

Let’s look at them step by step.

1. Macaroni Monday

• It is good start the week with a safe and easy staple: pasta with cheese. There are so many ways you can vary the family favorite from its basic form of macaroni and cheese.
• How about adding frozen peas?
• Or cherry tomatoes?
• It is also fun to try different shapes of pasta or different types of cheeses.

In any case, pasta can be easily prepped ahead of time and tastes good hot or cold.

2. Tortilla Tuesday

My family loves Mexican food. It is so easy and inexpensive to prepare. Thus, we started a Tortilla Tuesday lunch tradition (because Taco Tuesday was already a thing)!

Tortilla wraps are great because:

• easy to enjoy for any age group of lunch eaters,
• can be enjoyed while standing or walking around,
• endless possibilities for fillings.
• do not require any utensils

Pro Tip: use a toothpick to hold the Tortilla wrap together!

3. Wild Card Wednesday

By the mid-day of the week, you may notice that planning the weekly lunch menu takes a load of stress off! The goal of the lunch menu is to create a structure of simple healthy everyday meal items that can be easily prepared ahead of time or on the day of.

At the same time, flexibility adds a bit of fun too! Thus, a wild card Wednesday may be a great opportunity to add in some seasonal foods or dishes that bring some smiles to your face to get over hump day!

4. Thai Thursday

Thai food is a great lunch option because you can easily prepare it ahead of time. When shopping, look for fresh vegetables and herbs that are in season or frozen vegetables without any additives.
In order to create some variety – use some canned goods. This is an added money-saving bonus! You can stock-pile some staples such as water chestnuts, baby corn, or different curry sauces.

5. Fruity Friday

One of my favorite recommendations is to add fresh fruits to your lunch box to increase the health benefits of your mid-day meal! The fiber and vitamins support the immune system and aid with digestion, which means your fruits are exponentially better alternatives to processed snacks!

6. Sandwich Saturday

To keep the weekend stress-free, how about a lunch with sandwiches on Saturday? You may have some leftover vegetables from the week that you could add as healthy topping. Plus, if you are on the go, sandwiches are the perfect picnic food that you could take along.

If you briefly pop the sandwiches in the oven, air fryer, or pan, you can enjoy some melted cheese. Check out the recipe for Pizza Wrap Sandwich.

7. Soup Sunday

It is the end of the weekend. Making a delicious soup on Sundays has several advantages:

Test-run new recipes at home before taking them for lunch

• Vary the types of soups based on family favorites
• Add seasonal vegetables from a Saturday Farmer’s Market
• Use leftover soup as a sauce or a dip
• Pair your soup with the Pizza Wrap Sandwich

Enjoy a quick & easy lunch meal prep

Preparing and taking your lunches from home is an easy alternative to purchasing pre-packaged processed foods. Whether you have a sensitive stomach or are trying to modify your health routine, swapping the lunch routine is such an easy switch! Plus, if you have been eating out for lunch, taking a homemade lunch saves some money in the long run.

We love to prep our lunches at home, and it is a fun way to use leftovers! In addition to making your own meals, decorate your food with fresh herbs, take some seasonal fruits, and fill your lunch box with snacks that are supporting your health!