Peanut Butter-and-Apple
How about preparing peanut butter and apple sandwiches? It may be a simple recipe, but this will give you more time for preparing your lunch. Shred some apples, mix them with a little lemon juice so they don’t turn brown, and put them into the sandwich. This would be a great example of cheap healthy brown bag lunches that still do not compromise on the quality and taste.
Pita-Turkey-Avocado All the Way Sandwiches
Take a whole-wheat pita bread spread with ripe, uniquely flavored avocado, lettuce, low-fat cheese, and fresh turkey breast; cut the pita in two segments and slap on the fillers on this yum treat; creamy, flavorful avocado instead of mayo makes this nutritionally sound. It’s perfect, easy, and healthy for busy professionals who look for something quick and balanced.
Mild and Hearty Peas and Pasta
A warm-hearted, filling lunch—the peas and pasta will do the trick. Toss whole-wheat elbow macaroni together with frozen peas, lean, boiled ham, grated Parmesan cheese, and microwave; toss the ham when done. Toss all ingredients with Parmesan; then, keep the mixture in a thermos to keep it as warm as it was while being prepared. This example is a good one for healthy brown bag lunch recipes.
Homemade Tomato-on-a-Bagel
Creative and fun, homemade tomato-on-a-bagel offers a great way to enjoy a healthy brown bag lunch. Use whole wheat bagels, split them, toss in some low-fat mayo, adding sliced tomatoes fresh at lunchtime. This keeps the bagel crisp and the tomatoes fresh. An easy healthy brown bag lunch that makes your taste buds meet the approval of good nutrition.
Very, Very Vegetarian Sandwich
Vegetarian: Great sandwich to give a go, pita filled with hummus, chopped zucchini, grated carrots, and some fresh spinach leaves—to die for on no-meat days, and just perfect for the one who loves food from a plant. Another good example of cheap healthy brown-bag lunches would have to be the hummus, chopped zucchini, grated carrot, and some fresh spinach leaves in a pita.
Super-Duper Chef’s Salad
Get out of that lunch rut with a colorful chef’s salad. Toss together some lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, slivers of boiled ham, and roasted turkey. Top with whole-wheat croutons, and serve with cocktail croutons on the side. Pack the dressing separately so that the croutons do not get soggy.
Egg Salad on a Burger Roll
A good old egg salad is a classic, very comforting lunch. Prepare your egg salad with boiled eggs and mayo, plus/minus celery and herbs. Then build a sandwich on a burger roll. Pack in a container so it doesn’t get squashed.
Whole Wheat Wrap with Hummus and Veggies
One quick and nutritious brown-bag lunch idea for adults is a whole wheat wrap with hummus, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, feta cheese, and black olives, served with a carton of fat-free vanilla yogurt and fresh berries for a balanced meal.
This is the perfect example of a wrap that should be made and definitely taken by anyone who wants to have healthy brown bag lunches for adults, where taste and simplicity are concerned.
Leftover Black Bean and Rice Casserole
Transform your dinner leftovers into a delightful brown bag lunch by tucking into a reusable container any leftover from last night’s black bean, brown rice, and salsa casserole—with shredded cheddar cheese on top. Make it crunchier and healthier with strips of carrots, celery, and a pepper.
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
An oldie but goodie—peanut butter and banana on whole wheat with veggies and low-fat salad dressing on the side for dipping, along with Greek yogurt for a balanced shot of protein. Perfect to make up with little fuss, it also makes a very economical choice for any healthy brown bag adult lunch.