Recipes/ideas for quick healthy lunches?!

[mumofthreeboysS]

I'm a mum of 3 and I'm trying to start eating healthier- my aim is to eat less bread and processed sugars so to eat more protein, whole grains, veg and more brown rice etc in place of bread at lunch. I'm sick of cheese on toast, cheese sandwiches, toasties etc. Problem is I don't have much time to prepare stuff. I have a 4 month old I'm bf so don't want to lose weight or diet just eat healthier!

Any advice/recipes appreciated! I always looking out for healthy dinners too tho it's a bit trickier as I have typical 3 and 5 yr olds who aren't great fans of uber healthy foods!

Anyone?

Roast a chicken for a weekend/evening meal and use the leftover chicken in sandwiches.

Cook up wholegrain couscous and add chopped veggies (cooked brocoli, green beans, cherry tomatoes, frozen spinach, roasted butternut squash or sweet potato) and herbs. Serve as a main with meat or fish or a side and make enough for lunches the next day.

Buy wholemeal wraps and fill with healthy salads etc.

Eggs are very versatile.

Wholemeal pasta salads?

Try to avoid salad dressings, or make your own with oil and vinegar and herbs, to avpid extra sugar.

Soup (without bread for you) or a good smoothie (banana and other fruit and natural yogurt, no cream or chocolate or sweeter things) are ok for a lunch for you once or twice a week. Just snack on fruit, salad, natural yogurt, ceareal, a glass of milk or cup of coffee through the day if you get hungry.

It isn't easy around children who need to eat more, I know, but try to just let it happen so they get used to you not eating as much.

Omelette/frittata. Any veg/potato is nice in this. My current favourite is onion, pepper, broccoli & peas & cheese.

Smoked mackerel or other "open the packet" protein with salad, add new potatoes (hot or cold) if you like.

Last week I had (two days running as I liked it so much) hot cooked quinoa (just boil for 10-15 mins and drain) mixed around chunks of fried veg (onion, carrot, celery, peppers, courgette, peas, sweetcorn), generously salt & peppered and then with grated cheese on top. Quinoa is a complete protein in it's own right but the cheese is tasty.

If you are home in the morning stick a jacket potato in the oven (or you can microwave it and then grill for a few mins to crunch the skin) and have with tuna/chilli/cheese etc and salad

Chunky veg & bean soups

make extra at dinner the night before so you can have leftovers - I love leftover curry/chilli for lunch.

If there is leftover veg, chop it and fry it all up til a bit crispy (bubble & squeak) and have with fried eggs.

I try not to eat too much bread, and love lots of veg - these are all things I do a lot for lunches.

thanks for the ideas! doing a few bits the night before is a good idea! And making lots and having it two days in a row too. I'd better get cracking then- don't want cheese on toast again today!

yeah I used to buy smoked mackerel and put it in a salad- tho it does repeat on me and the smell lingers -but it's healthy! Quinoa/couscous and veg one is a good idea- I may try roasting the veg too -even healthier.