Energy-rich, fat-burning meals.
When you’re eating lean and clean and keeping an eye on calories, it can seem difficult at first to incorporate protein into your diet. However, high-protein foods are necessary to grow muscle mass, maintain healthy muscles, continue your strength training, and keep your blood sugar and energy stable throughout the day. These high protein lunch ideas for weight loss are the answer to planning your high-protein diet.
High Protein Lunch Ideas For Weight Loss
We’re providing you with some of our healthiest, quickest, and most delicious high protein lunch ideas for weight loss guaranteed to keep you satisfied by giving you all the protein you require without sacrificing nutrition by adding fat and calories!
1. Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Salmon, Cucumber, and Mint
This fresh and zesty Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Salmon, Cucumber, and Mint screams clean. It’s also high in protein and healthy fats thanks to the savory salmon. The recipe is a combination of crunchy cucumber, sweet tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh mint and parsley, and luscious lemon that makes any recipe feel fresh.
There’s something really satisfying about chopping ingredients up small, so they combine to create a beautiful and bold array of colors that looks as yummy as it tastes.
2. Low-Carb Philly Cheesesteaks
If you want your high protein lunch ideas for weight loss to include a low-cal, low-carb option, try out this refreshing take on a Philly cheesesteak classic. This Low-Carb Philly Cheesesteak recipe swaps out heavy bulkie rolls for thick, crunchy bibb lettuce that is equally as satisfying.
Lean meat and cheese make for a big boost of protein, while the low-fat provolone ensures you get all that flavor you desire from the classic cheesesteak without the guilt.
3.Quinoa Lentil Burgers
How do you pack a vegetarian burger with a major dose of protein? Combine lentils and quinoa for a protein-rich mix that produces a terrific texture and impresses even your most carnivorous friends!
These vegetarian-friendly Quinoa Lentil Burgers are an excellent addition to your high protein lunch ideas for weight loss and will curb your craving for something comforting without sacrificing your clean eating routine.
4. Shrimp Tacos with Sweet and Tangy Slaw
Everyone loves taco night, and these shrimp tacos with sweet and tangy slaw are fun, satisfying, and a little unique. They’re bursting with big flavor while providing you with some major health benefits, so you can feel good eating something that tastes so terrific!
5. Clean Eating Chicken Salad
This protein-packed clean-eating chicken salad is such a versatile recipe. We recommend serving the sensational salad in a pita, but it can top a salad or fill a wrap for a wholesome, delicious lunch that will keep you energized for hours!
It’s a revamped version of a classic the entire family will love, with ingredients like Greek yogurt, shredded chicken, and veggies.
6. Perfect Avocado and Poached Egg Quinoa Bowl
This dish is versatile enough to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or somewhere in between!The recipe combines the superfood power of quinoa with creamy avocado and poached egg for an unbeatable combination of protein and healthy fats.
Try it:Perfect Avocado and Poached Egg Quinoa Bowl
7.Baked Tofu Chunks with Star Anise Marinade
Not in the mood for meat, but looking for a yummy high-protein meal? Try these Baked Tofu Chunks with Star Anise Marinade. To make this vegan meal complete, serve the recipe over brown rice with fresh vegetables and a decadent dressing.
8.Quinoa Shrimp Paella
What do you get when you substitute the rice in a delicious Spanish paella with quinoa? A heaping dose of lean protein. Quinoa is both a complex carbohydrate and an excellent source of protein, and paired with shrimp, this dish delivers a whopping amount of protein per serving!
Here’s the recipe:Quinoa and Shrimp Paella
9. Turkey Sausage Egg Roll Bowl
Craving Chinese takeout? Skip the MSG and dig into this delicious Turkey Sausage Egg Roll Bowl recipe. The recipe uses bulk turkey sausage to provide you with a healthy dose of flavorful protein that pairs perfectly with the ginger, green onion, and soy sauce flavors that round out the egg roll bowl recipe.
10.One-Pan Roasted Chicken And Veggies Dinner
Dinner can be super healthy, super delicious, and super easy. This warm and hearty One-Pan Roasted Chicken and Veggies Dinner proves it! The recipe is quick to whip up even on a busy weeknight. It combines protein-rich chicken, nutrient-packed sweet potatoes, fibrous Brussels sprouts, and crispy apples. Oh my yum!
11.Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup
This Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup is a meal all on its own. The inclusion of black beans, kidney beans, and lean chicken breast make a hearty and protein-filled soup, perfect for chilly days when you need a warm dish that goes a long way to stave off hunger!
12.Skinny Quinoa Stir-Fry
Skinny Quinoa Stir-Fry is a one-pot meal that can easily be made ahead of time. Prepare the quinoa the night before, refrigerate, and the remaining work will take less than 10 minutes. This recipe has 10 grams of protein and complex carbohydrates that provide long-lasting energy. We recommend having this dish for dinner, lunch, or as a pre-workout meal.
13.Asian-Style Beef and Broccoli
Asian food is not just about takeout. The Asian culinary sphere is full of opportunities for you to learn about new ingredients and cooking methods. For this Asian-Style Beef and Broccoli recipe, you can use a wok traditionally used for sautéed dishes, but a regular saucepan can function the same way as the Asian woks do.
14. Slow Cooker Vegetable Chili
This satisfying recipe is a veggie-packed dish that requires little prep work or hands-on cooking. Throw the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it simmer to perfection!
This rich Slow Cooker Vegetable Chili recipe results in a low-fat, high-protein meal that contains no animal fat. Black beans and kidney beans provide the protein punch to help you feel full and satisfied while also providing you with a healthy helping of fiber.
Meanwhile, sweet onion, celery, sweet potato,chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, green chilis, tomato paste, vegetable broth, corn kernels, andfresh cilantro for garnish make for a crave-worthy meal.
What are you waiting for? These high protein lunch ideas for weight loss won’t prepare themselves. Let’s get cooking and on top of your high-protein meal plan.
Enjoyed this post? Discover more:
- 12 Protein-Packed Breakfasts Under 299 Calories
- 12 Great Quinoa Recipes for Weight Loss
- 21 Clean Lunches in Under 10 Minutes
- 8 Delicious Ideas for a Healthy Breakfast Without Eggs or Oatmeal
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Editor’s Note: Originally published Feb 08, 2015
