Whether you bring a lunch to work or make your food at home, it’s important that your food is not only healthy and tastes great but also keeps you full throughout the day.
No one likes to turn to the vending machine or raid the pantry only a few hours after eating, and if you have a busy schedule, you want to feel satisfied and nourished until dinnertime.
Luckily, if you eat the right balance of nutrients, you won’t have to worry about hunger pangs coming on later in the afternoon. If you need ideas for some healthy filling lunches, try these seven recipes that will keep you satisfied until dinner.
1.Roasted Sweet Potato and Bean Quesadilla
Nothing screams filling like a heart quesadilla, but this one is loaded with mashed sweet potato instead of cheese. Sweet potatoes are filled with fiber, making them a good choice to carry you through the afternoon.
Recipe: The Pretty Bee
2. Citrus Chicken Quinoa Salad
Switch up your salads by filling it up with quinoa. In addition to its fiber content, quinoa is also a great source of protein. This light but substantial salad also contains avocado, which contains healthy monounsaturated fat to keep you satiated throughout the day.
Recipe: Sally’s Baking Addiction
3. Moroccan Cauliflower Chickpea Pita
Opt for a vegetarian version of this classic pita sandwich that’s filled with cauliflower, chickpeas, zucchini, and onions. Chickpeas are filled with protein and fiber, and combined with the carbohydrates of the pita will keep your stomach more than satisfied.
Recipe: Joyful Healthy Ways
4. Savory Oatmeal
Forget eating rice bowls; make a bowl of savory oatmeal instead. Oats are extremely satiating, and adding an egg helps you sustain energy throughout the day. This bowl also contains mushrooms and kale for extra nutrients and fiber.
Recipe: Sprinkle Of Green
5. Garlic Shrimp Noodle Bowls
If you’re looking for a light Paleo dish, this one is for you. This bowl uses zucchini noodles instead of white pasta, and it’s topped with shrimp and other vegetables to keep you nourished into the night. Zucchini makes a great substitute for spaghetti, as you still get the satisfaction of eating noodles without eating empty carbohydrates that later come with a crash.
Recipe: Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
6. White Bean Wrap
If you are sick of eating boring old salads, opt for a wrap instead. White beans are loaded with fiber and protein, and the addition of the spinach tortilla and tomatoes will have you feeling full and focused without feeling weighed down.
Recipe: She Wears Many Hats
7. Tuscan Vegetable Lentil Soup
Soup is comforting and filling, and this fiber-filled lentil soup is loaded with protein and other nutrients that will keep you chugging along seamlessly. It can be eaten with a crostini if you’re looking for it to be extra filling, and you can make a big batch at the beginning of the week to enjoy the soup for multiple lunches.
Recipe: Yummy Mummy Kitchen