Our 30 Best Summer Lunches For Weight Loss

Reviewed by Dietitian Madeline Peck, RDN, CDN

These flavorful lunch recipes are some of our best, having earned 4- and 5-star ratings from our readers. To support weight management and help keep you satisfied, each recipe is high in fiber and/or protein, providing at least 6 grams of fiber, 15 grams of protein, or both per serving. They are also lower in calories to support weight loss, and are made with delicious summer produce like zucchini and bell peppers. Try our Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich or our Chopped Italian Chickpea Salad for a tasty and nutritious midday meal this summer.

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Cucumber-Avocado Sandwich

This creamy, crunchy sandwich layers salty feta, crisp cucumber and silky avocado between slices of whole-wheat toast. A simple yogurt-feta spread adds richness and tang, while spinach and red onion bring freshness and bite, perfect for a quick lunch.

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High-Protein Chicken Wrap with Pesto

This high-protein chicken wrap is packed with fresh flavor and comes together in just 15 minutes. A quick vegan pesto made with basil, spinach and toasted nuts coats the chicken, adding bright herb flavor without cheese. Wrapped in whole-wheat tortillas with creamy avocado and fresh greens, these wraps make an easy lunch or light dinner.

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Tuna & Veggie Grain Bowl

This vibrant grain bowl combines nutty farro, roasted root vegetables and canned tuna for a balanced meal that’s both hearty and fresh. Roasting the beets, carrots and parsnips brings out their natural sweetness, while a quick lemony yogurt sauce adds brightness and creaminess.

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High-Protein, High-Fiber Chicken Soup

This hearty soup is loaded with lean protein, fiber-rich beans and vegetables, and bold flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes and lemon. Quick-cooking and satisfying, it’s a nutritious meal you can get on your table in just 30 minutes.

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Chopped Italian Chickpea Salad

This chopped Italian-inspired salad combines crisp lettuce, creamy chickpeas, juicy tomatoes and sharp provolone in a zesty red-wine vinaigrette. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own for lunch yet versatile enough to serve alongside grilled chicken or fish.

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Easy Bean Salad With Herby Salsa Verde

This refreshing bean salad gets a lift from a quick homemade salsa verde packed with fresh herbs, jalapeño and lime. A mix of creamy beans, crisp radishes and smoky corn makes it hearty enough for a light lunch or easy dinner.

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Cucumber-Spinach Wrap

This fresh and creamy cucumber-spinach wrap comes together in minutes. A quick yogurt spread, brightened with lemon and dill, acts like a shortcut tzatziki, while crisp cucumber, buttery avocado and a sprinkle of za’atar add cool crunch and herby depth.

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Chickpea & Chicken Salad

This creamy chicken and chickpea salad gets fiber and protein from mashed chickpeas and a pop of brightness from fruit. A blend of Greek yogurt and mayonnaise keeps the dressing light yet rich, while celery and toasted pecans add crunch.

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Veggie Enchilada Soup

This hearty vegetarian enchilada soup channels all the flavors of enchiladas into a cozy, one-pot meal. Sweet potatoes and bell pepper add natural sweetness, while warm spices and a touch of cream cheese give it depth and richness. Serve with your favorite toppings to make it your own.

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Chicken & Sweet Potato Wrap

These hearty wraps are filled with roasted sweet potatoes, chicken and mashed avocado. Using a rotisserie chicken saves time, but any leftover cooked chicken will work well.

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Chopped Broccoli & Chickpea Salad

This hearty broccoli-chickpea salad is packed with satisfying texture and flavor from tender chickpeas, crunchy almonds, sweet golden raisins and tangy feta cheese. A mash of feta forms the base of the creamy, lemony dressing, coating every bite.

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Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

These Chickpea-Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps give classic tuna salad a fresh, flavorful upgrade. Mashed chickpeas add creamy texture and extra protein, while Greek yogurt gives the salad a light, creamy base. A generous shake of everything bagel seasoning ties it all together with savory crunch. Wrapped in crisp butter lettuce instead of bread, it’s a satisfying, high-protein lunch that’s perfect for meal prep or a quick, no-cook dinner.

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Kale & Sweet Potato Salad with Chicken

This kale and sweet potato salad is a fresh lunch idea. Roasted sweet potatoes, massaged kale and a creamy tahini dressing set the stage for a mix of feta, golden raisins and crunchy almonds. Shredded chicken makes it a satisfying main, but leftover turkey can be used in its place, making this salad an especially smart way to refresh your plate after Thanksgiving.

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Garlic-Miso Chicken Soup

This chicken-miso soup is a nourishing bowl that’s fresh and comforting. Sweet carrots, tender chicken and plenty of spinach simmer in a light broth, then get a savory boost from umami-rich white miso stirred in at the end. Ready in under an hour, it’s the kind of recipe that feels good on a chilly evening or anytime you’re craving something warm and satisfying.

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20-Minute Chickpea Soup

When dinner needs to happen fast, turn to this creamy chickpea soup that’s pulled together in just 20 minutes. Cream cheese melts right into this zesty soup for a velvety texture that feels cozy and comforting. Garnished with cilantro and crunchy tortilla strips, it’s a one-pot meal that’s weeknight-friendly and crowd-pleasing.

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No-Chicken Salad Sandwich

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.

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Turkey, Cucumber, Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

These turkey-cucumber roll-ups are a protein-packed lunch that comes together in minutes. Sliced deli turkey wraps around crisp cucumber slices and a layer of dill-infused cream cheese for a cool, satisfying bite. Once rolled, it’s sliced into pieces, ideal for a quick lunch.

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Easy Chickpea Salad Lunch Box

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.

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Anti-Inflammatory Farro & White Bean Salad

This Mason jar grain salad is the perfect grab-and-go lunch. Building a salad in a Mason jar makes it easy to prepare and take along, keeping the ingredients fresh and crisp until you’re ready to enjoy it. This colorful salad layers together farro, bell pepper, beets and arugula, all of which offer fiber and antioxidants that can help lower inflammation in your body. White beans add some plant-based protein to help you stay satisfied throughout the afternoon.

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High-Protein Cucumber Sandwich

This high-protein cucumber sandwich features a creamy spread made by whipping cottage cheese with white miso, soy sauce and rice vinegar. This mixture delivers a creamy boost of protein that pairs perfectly with sliced cucumbers, which add a crisp, fresh bite.

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Chickpea Grain Bowl with Feta & Tomatoes

This chickpea-farro grain bowl is a hearty dish that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber and tons of fresh flavor. Farro, a whole grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture, forms the base and pairs perfectly with tender chickpeas and veggies. If you don’t have farro on hand, you can easily swap in quinoa, brown rice or barley.

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Open-Face Tomato & Burrata Sandwich

This open-face tomato and burrata sandwich is a vibrant, summery dish that combines creamy burrata with juicy, ripe tomato slices. A spicy-sweet jalapeño and roasted red pepper relish adds bold flavor and a touch of heat that balances the richness of the cheese.

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High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.

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Beet & White Bean Sandwiches

These beet and white bean sandwiches have a vibrant, creamy filling. Pickling the beets in rice vinegar and thyme leads to a tangy, herb-infused flavor. Making your own pickled beets also eliminates any added sugars that might be in a store-bought version. Combining the beets and beans with alfalfa sprouts, red onion and your favorite bread, these sandwiches are a satisfying plant-based lunch.

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Cauliflower Spanakopita Melt

This cauliflower spanakopita melt is a dream come true! It blends the flavors of the Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, into the hand-held comfort and convenience of a grilled cheese sandwich. Chopped roasted cauliflower brings a healthy, veggie-packed twist. We cook these sandwiches in a skillet, but if you have a sandwich press, you can use that to crisp them up instead.

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Veggie Wraps

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.

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Chickpea Tuna Salad

This chickpea tuna salad with capers, feta and cucumber makes for the perfect lunch to pack for work or school. You can prep the salad the night before (just be sure to keep the spinach separate and dress the salad right before serving).

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Chicken Hummus Bowls

The spiced chicken atop these bowls is ready fast with the help of the broiler. Serve with warm whole-wheat pita for scooping up extra hummus at the bottom of the bowl.

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Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas

In this cucumber, tomato, feta cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and fresh herbs. Make a double batch of the dressing to use for another salad or drizzle over grilled vegetables.

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Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls

These shrimp, pesto and quinoa bowls are delicious, healthy and pretty—and they take less than 30 minutes to prep. In other words, they’re basically the ultimate easy weeknight dinner. Feel free to add more vegetables and swap out the shrimp for chicken, steak, tofu or edamame.

Read the original article on EatingWell