Daydreaming about your lunch break? We’ve got plenty of recipes that will be worth the wait! These tasty lunches feature staple ingredients of the Mediterranean diet like beans, fish, whole grains and greens. Plus, they align with a diabetes-appropriate eating pattern, since they are low in sodium, saturated fat, carbs and calories. Try options like our Bean & Pasta Salad or our Cucumber-Hummus Wrap for a hearty lunch that will help you feel your best.
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Marry Me White Bean Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This Marry Me White Bean Salad is a bright, flavor-packed dish that’s hard not to fall for and pulls inspiration from Marry Me Chicken. Tender white beans are tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and a creamy dressing that soaks into every bite. It’s quick to throw together and perfect for meal prep, picnics or pairing with grilled meats.
Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box
Ali Redmond
This easy chickpea salad lunch box is a fresh, no-cook lunch that’s perfect for busy weekdays. Chickpeas are tossed with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice and olive oil for a refreshing bite. It’s easy to scale up the recipe to prep multiple servings at once, so you can stock your fridge with grab-and-go lunches for the week. Just remember to add the crackers on the day you plan to enjoy it to keep them crunchy and delicious.
Bean & Pasta Salad
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.
This bean-and-pasta salad is a satisfying dish packed with plant-based protein. It combines tender pasta with fiber-rich beans, crisp vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette for a well-balanced bite. The flavors continue to meld as it sits, making it an ideal recipe for meal prep or gatherings.
Canned Tuna Rice Bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
This canned tuna rice bowl is a quick, flavor-packed meal combining a pantry staple and fresh ingredients. Flaky chunks of tuna combine with tangy kimchi and sit atop warm brown rice, paired with crunchy cucumbers, creamy avocado and toasty nori. A drizzle of Sriracha mayo brings everything together. It’s easy to customize and comes together in minutes—perfect for a satisfying lunch or weeknight dinner.
Cucumber-Hummus Wrap
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This cucumber-hummus wrap is a crisp, refreshing lunch packed with veggies. Shredded green cabbage adds a satisfying crunch, while the creamy dressing (flavored with pickle juice, but no pickles) adds tang without excess sodium. Hummus provides a creamy base that pairs perfectly with the fresh crispy vegetables. For a shortcut, swap in pre-shredded coleslaw mix instead of shredding your own cabbage.
Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
This herb-marinated veggie-and-chickpea salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. Since it requires no stove or oven time, it’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.
Ginger-Soy Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
These ginger-soy zucchini noodles with shrimp are a light, flavorful no-cook dish that’s perfect for warmer days. Thinly sliced zucchini offers a crisp and refreshing base, while the sauce (made with ginger, soy and lime juice) adds bold and bright flavors. Precooked shrimp make this meal fast and convenient—just toss everything together and serve! It’s a fresh, protein-packed bowl that comes together in minutes.
Teriyaki Chicken Salad
Photographer: Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley.
This teriyaki chicken salad is a delicious blend of tender, glazed chicken thighs and crisp sliced veggies, all tossed in a flavorful teriyaki dressing. For an extra layer of texture and flavor, you can add some crispy fried onions or shallots, which provide a satisfying crunch and a hint of sweetness. Whether you keep it simple or add the extra crunch, this salad is a versatile and satisfying dish that’s sure to become a favorite.
5-Ingredient Avocado & Chickpea Salad
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.
This avocado-and-chickpea salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. Made with just five ingredients, it’s as simple as it is satisfying. Creamy avocado pairs perfectly with hearty chickpeas for a filling, plant-based meal. With no cooking required and minimal prep, it’s a perfect quick lunch or dinner.
No-Chicken Salad Sandwich
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This no-chicken salad sandwich, made with chickpeas, is a delicious plant-based alternative to the classic chicken salad. Mashing the chickpeas creates a creamy texture that blends seamlessly with Greek-style yogurt, celery, pecans and grapes for flavor and crunch. Serve it on whole-grain bread, in a wrap, over a salad or with crackers for an easy lunch.
Veggie Wraps
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
These wraps are packed with veggies, including zucchini, bell pepper and spinach. The vegetables cook quickly in a skillet, so you can pull together this easy lunch in no time. Hummus adds plant-based protein and keeps the wrap from getting dry.
Crunchy Chopped Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This chickpea-cabbage salad features carrots and cucumbers, giving it a quartet of ingredients that all begin with the letter “C”! This chopped salad is loaded with fiber and prebiotic chickpeas, promoting a healthy gut. Green cabbage keeps the color vibrant and fresh, though red cabbage works just as well.
Savory Oatmeal with Tomato & Sausage
Oats get a new life in this savory dish, serving as the backbone for a satisfying combo of sausage, greens, tomatoes and herbs.
Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Olives
This Mediterranean lentil salad, with chopped veggies, feta cheese and a light dressing, is perfect to have on hand for a quick lunch.
Spinach Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, White Beans & Basil
Roasted sweet potatoes, spinach, cabbage and white beans are tossed together with a bright basil dressing in this healthy main dish salad.
