Health Diet

13 High-Protein Lunches You Can Bring to Work

Weekday lunch is a funny thing. On the one hand, it’s a must-needed (delicious) respite in the middle of a busy day. On the other hand, figuring out what to pack for lunch (or where to find lunch if you don’t make it yourself) can actually be tricky. You need something that can be made ahead of time, and that’ll taste good cold or reheated. You also want something filling enough to power you though the afternoon, but not so filling that it backfires and makes you sluggish. Oh, and obviously, lunch should be delicious.

If you’re already in the habit of making your own lunch, use these 13 recipes to shake things up. If making and packing lunch is something you struggle with, these recipes will (hopefully) make that a little easier.

All of the recipes have a dietitian-approved balance of carbs, protein, and fat, in accordance with the current USDA dietary guidelines. We didn’t turn the recipes into a set meal plan, because we know that everybody has different needs, goals, and preferences when it comes to food. If you want personalized nutrition advice, consult a doctor or registered dietitian. If you want a better idea of how much you should be eating every day, the USDA recommends this calculator. And, if you’re looking for on-the-go snacks to keep you going all day long, here are our 13 favorite healthy snacks at the grocery store.

A quick note here: If you feel it’s necessary, it’s always OK to check with a doctor before trying a new meal plan. These recipes are meant to provide helpful guidance if you’re looking to learn new ways to eat healthy, but they aren’t for everyone. For some people, the healthiest thing to do is to ignore calories and meal plans entirely. Like we said, food is personal, and everybody is different. If these recipes work for you, that’s great! If they don’t, that’s also totally fine.

If you cook one of the recipes or have questions, post a photo on Instagram and tag @selfmagazine—we love a good food pic as much as you do, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you have!


Chicken, Parsnip, and Pomegranate Salad

Serves 2

Total time: 40 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

Parsnips are a super sweet, starchy root vegetable that tastes great roasted and can be served hot or cold.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 540 calories, 21 g fat (4 g saturated), 65 g carbs, 26 g sugar, 17 g fiber, 26 g protein


Wilted Kale, Chickpea, and Quinoa Bowl With Tahini

Serves 2

Total time: 45 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, and it’s perfect on grain bowls or sandwiches.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 506 calories, 19 g fat (2 g saturated), 68 g carbs, 10 g sugar, 17 g fiber, 23 g protein


Tuna, Apple, and Avocado Wrap

Serves 1

Total time: 10 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

A crunchy, protein-packed wrap that’ll keep you full until dinner.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 529 calories, 21 g fat (4 g saturated), 60 g carbs, 18 g sugar, 13 g fiber, 27 g protein


Kale, White Bean, and Goat Cheese Wrap

Serves 1

Total time: 10 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

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If you want a warm lunch, you could heat this wrap in the microwave, toaster oven, or panini press.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 526 calories, 21 g fat (7 g saturated), 62 g carbs, 7 g sugar, 15 g fiber, 23 g protein


Swiss Chard Wraps With Chicken and Sweet Potato

Serves 2

Total time: 40 minutes
Active time: 15 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

Using Swiss chard leaves to wrap a sandwich means you can stuff it to the brim with carb-rich ingredients like sweet potatoes and chickpeas.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 499 calories, 20 g fat (4 g saturated), 53 g carbs, 10 g sugar, 13 g fiber, 31 g protein


Warm Swiss Chard and Farro Salad With Parmesan

Serves 1

Total time: 15 minutes
Active time: 15 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

This salad tastes great warm, but you can totally eat it cold.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 507 calories, 19 g fat (7 g saturated), 56 g carbs, 16 g sugar, 6 g fiber, 27 g protein__


Salmon Quinoa Bowl

Serves 1

Total time: 20 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

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Packed with healthy fat, protein, and complex carbs, this lunch will give you a second wind that lasts all afternoon.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 537 calories, 24 g fat (3 g saturated), 54 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 14 g fiber, 30 g protein


Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Chili

Serves 4

Total time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Active time: 30 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

It wouldn’t be October without chili! This slow-cooker version is foolproof and makes plenty of servings that you can reheat for lunch all week.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 507 calories, 20 g fat (5 g saturated), 59 g carbs, 11 g sugar, 14 g fiber, 27 g protein


Shaved Carrot and Farro Salad With Chicken

Serves 2

Total time: 50 minutes
Active time: 15 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

Sweet, crunchy shaved carrots are the perfect base for this meat- and grain-filled salad.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 531 calories, 19 g fat (4 g saturated), 55 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 7 g fiber, 30 g protein


Shredded Brussels Sprouts, Farro, and Tuna Salad

Serves 2

Total time: 10 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

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Shredded brussels sprouts are a cool alternative to heartier salad greens. You need to massage the dressing into them a little bit, as you would with a kale salad.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 538 calories, 23 g fat (3 g saturated), 56 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 12 g fiber, 28 g protein


Marinated Pear and Fennel With Chickpeas

Serves 2

Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

As the fennel marinates in the fridge, it softens but doesn’t lose any flavor.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 483 calories, 23 g fat (10 g saturated), 52 g carbs, 26 g sugar, 15 g fiber, 20 g protein


Sweet Potato Salad With Creamy Avocado Dressing

Serves 2

Total time: 15 minutes
Active time: 15 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

This tangy, creamy sweet potato salad is made with an avocado-yogurt dressing that’s rich in protein and healthy fat.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 531 calories, 20 g fat (7 g saturated), 67 g carbs, 14 g sugar, 18 g fiber, 21 g protein


Green Curry Tofu Rice Bowl

Serves 1

Total time: 40 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

Andrew Purcell, Carrie Purcell

This spicy rice bowl gets better as it sits, so consider throwing it together the night before and refrigerating.

Get The Recipe Here

Nutrition Per Serving: 516 calories, 19 g fat (2 g saturated), 64 g carbs, 14 g fiber, 25 g protein