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    Home » Recipes » Low Carb

    Published: Aug 18, 2014 · Updated: Apr 18, 2022

    My Healthy Lunch Packing Tips:: Chef Salad

    Healthy School/Work Friendly Recipe Series #4:

    Chef salad 2

    I can recall a time where I struggled packing my lunch. I over complicated it. I would look for ideas online and end up taking something that took too much time or it ended up being gross and gooey by lunch time trying to stick to my healthy clean eating. 

    Then I came to the realization that lunch shouldn't have to be complicated. And after that the rest is history and I have developed a K.I.S.S ( Keep It Simple Stupid) method for packing my healthy lunches. 

    Chef Salad

    Today I want to share with you some healthy lunch packing tips I have picked up over the years.

    1. Let's start at the grocery store:

    It can be overwhelming stepping into that store. I get it. And rule number 1 is never shop hungry. So eat an apple on the way! 

    Also, stick to he perimeter of the store. That is where the freshest cleanest ingredients are. From produce, poultry, Greek yogurts, and etc. The exception to going toward the center are whole grains such as couscous, quinoa, whole grain breads, and oats. Other than those few ingredients, stick to the perimeter and you will stay on track. 

    2. Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep!

    I usually set aside 2-3 hours on a Sunday afternoon to prep my veggies, cook my meats, grains,and lunches for the next few days to ensure that I don't stray from my meal plan. 

    I usually make 1 giant salad and separate each component ( cheese, salsa, cooked chicken, cucumbers, etc) in separate containers, so all I have to do is throw all ingredients into my lunch container and I am good to go! 

    Now, just because you made a salad doesn't mean it's healthy. Stick to fresh veggies, lean meats, and low sugar and reduced fat dressing. Dressings can be the one thing that ruins this healthy meal. Just read the nutrition labels or make your own home made dressing. 

    3. Portions Matter

    I have found that too much healthy food is still too much food. So measure and portion your meals accordingly. Don't stuff that container to the brim with whole wheat pasta. Measure out ½ cup and add fresh veggies and marinara sauce and you have a healthy balanced lunch!

    Also, it's worth it to indulge in a good lunch box. I LOVE my Laptop Lunchbox. It basically measures your portions for you and there is so many ways to use it! 

    It comes with multiple containers in which you can put baby carrots, cucumbers, berries, or even Teddy Grahams! The options are endless! I have lots of Laptop Lunch Ideas in earlier posts if you need more ideas. Not to mention they are colorful and adorable! They also sell ones for your kids, so everyone in the family can enjoy them! 

    Also, click the Laptop Lunchbox Ad to the right to purchase one if you are interested!

    The example I have for you today is a classic chef salad. 

    For salads in this lunch box, I like to maximize the space and take all the containers out and just stuff it with lettuce, fresh veggies, and lean protein. And I use the small 1 tbs container to put my dressing in. I chose light ranch this time.

    Chef salad 3

    You Need:

    2 cups of chopped romaine

    cucumber halves

    2 tbs reduced fat mozzarella cheese

    2 oz cubed ham

    cherry tomatoes

    ¼ cup diced avocado

    1 tbs reduced fat and/or low sugar dressing

    Directions:

    Toss all ingredients minus the dressing in your lunch box container and enjoy at lunch time! 

    « Avocado Egg & Ham Toast
    Cream of Blue Crab Soup »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says

      August 21, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Great tips and just in time for back to school!

      Reply
    2. Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says

      August 19, 2014 at 11:21 am

      Great tips and I totally agree, portions are the key!

      Reply
    3. Samantha Seeley says

      August 19, 2014 at 10:54 am

      I need to start making time at night to prep for the day before. thanks for the tips

      Reply
    4. foodiewithfamily says

      August 19, 2014 at 10:15 am

      I would totally try to trade my sad, sorry lunch for your salad. That looks DELICIOUS!

      Reply
    5. Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says

      August 19, 2014 at 10:13 am

      This is perfect! I am always looking for quick and easy lunches to grab and take to work. Anything that requires too much prep, I lose interest.

      Reply
    6. kudoskitchen says

      August 19, 2014 at 8:14 am

      I have such a taste for a healthy salad now...you have no idea!

      Reply
    7. savoryexperiments says

      August 19, 2014 at 7:10 am

      Love this! I try to make all of my lunches on Sunday so I'm ready to go. Sometimes I end up eating frozen meals, but try for organic and such.

      Reply
    8. Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says

      August 19, 2014 at 6:42 am

      I am so guilty of overcomplicating my lunches too. I love this simple, but fresh, idea. And great tips. Thanks!

      Reply
    9. Carla says

      August 18, 2014 at 6:22 pm

      Smart lunch tips! Sometimes I find lunch hard to pack because I rely on leftovers, and if I don't have leftovers, then I'm struggling for lunch.

      Reply
    10. Mind Over Batter (@MindOvrBatterNY) says

      August 18, 2014 at 2:09 pm

      Great tips!!! I always have trouble with planning out my lunches, so I can really use them! This salad looks delicious!!

      Reply
    11. ashley says

      August 18, 2014 at 1:56 pm

      I definitely needed these tips! I lack in the healthy lunch packing department.

      Reply
    12. claire @ the realistic nutritionist says

      August 18, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      great post!! I'm the worst at packing healthy lunches.

      Reply
    13. LaurenKellyNutrition says

      August 18, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      That salad looks incredible! Great tips!

      Reply
    14. Ginny McMeans says

      August 18, 2014 at 12:01 pm

      You have given some really good tips. I especially like the portion control!

      Reply
    15. comfortablydomestic says

      August 18, 2014 at 11:52 am

      Healthy lunches are easy when you make the time for preparation. Great tips!

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Amanda. Nice to Meet You! TI am a full time systems engineer by day and recipe developer/food photographer by night (and weekends). My husband Jake and I live in Virginia. Favorite things are books, traveling, and coffee ☕️.

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