If your New Year’s resolutions include sticking to your diet plan without depriving yourself of a delicious variety of dishes that will keep you full and satisfied for hours, these eleven simple lunch recipes are for you. Whether I’m craving a warming bowl of creamy broccoli soup or a Chik-Fil-A dupe that tastes even better than the real deal, I know that these recipes will consistently deliver a lunchtime boost that will keep me going until the end of the work day.
1. Weight Watchers Egg Salad
An egg salad sandwich cut on the diagonal is one of my favorite comfort foods and has the power to transport me straight back to childhood. This version takes the typical mayo base and swaps in heathy-for-you Greek yogurt, giving it the signature tang without all those heavy calories. At zero Weight Watcher’s points, it’s a noon-time no-brainer. With Dijon mustard for spice, red onion and celery for textural interest, and some finely chopped fresh parsley for green brightness, it’s a better-for-you, better-tasting version of your childhood fave.
2. Quinoa Soup
When the mercury drops, treat yourself to a bowl of this soup. It will warm you up in an instant and give you all the nutrients and complex carbohydrates you need to face the afternoon. Packed with winter vegetables like antioxidant-rich pumpkin and quinoa pearls mingling in a rich chicken broth seasoned with a dash of oregano, it’s a fun variation on your minestrone or vegetable and rice soups. Plus, it’s just two Weight Watchers points per serving.
3. Taco Potato Skins
These two-point treats are excellent for those days when you’re itching to dial for takeout. They have all the flavors of loaded potato skins with a sneaky dose of Vitamin-C-rich bell peppers. You just need ground beef, potatoes, taco seasoning, peppers, a bit of red onion, light shredded cheese, and a few slices of low-point bacon. Plus, they come together quickly and will kill those fast-food cravings. With such a low point score, you can easily treat yourself to two portions if you’re feeling extra hungry.
4. Broccoli Salad
I wasn’t a salad person before this broccoli and bacon five-point version made me a convert. The ingredients might seem a bit unorthodox, but trust me; they work beautifully with the tartness of dried cranberries playing off zingy diced red onion, smoky bacon, and a creamy dressing that relies on reduced-fat mayonnaise and non-fat Greek yogurt for its silky consistency. Add in bite-sized pieces of fresh broccoli and half a cup of reduced-fat cheddar cheese, and you have a tasty powerhouse. I like to make a batch on Sunday and enjoy it all week long.
5. Manchow Soup
If you’ve ever dined at a Chinese restaurant, there’s a great chance that you’ve savored a bowl of Manchow Soup. This two-point version brings all of the classic flavor with far fewer calories, and it’s easy enough to put together with a few key ingredients. Green bell peppers, red cabbage, and green beans bring the flavor and give this soup a dynamic taste and texture. A splash of sesame oil, soy sauce, and grated ginger lend some familiar flavors, and half a cup of rice noodles give it a nice carb kick.
6. Taco Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is one of my guilty pleasures, and this four-point rendition lets me fully enjoy it without breaking my New Year’s resolutions. It’s got all the classic flavors of a taco salad, with perfectly seasoned ground turkey, bright bell peppers, red onions, tomatoes, crisp iceberg lettuce, and juicy grape tomatoes. Reduced-fat cheddar cheese keeps it waistline-friendly while conquering your cravings, and rotini pasta and crushed taco shells tie it all together. If you want an even healthier version, use whole-wheat pasta.
7. Sushi Salad
I love a good mash-up as much as anyone, which is why this sushi salad is always on my list if I’m craving a fresh, portable lunch option. Plus, you can customize it with virtually any vegetables you have on hand, making it an excellent way to clear out the fridge. I like to use cooked shrimp and smoked salmon for my protein, avocado for creaminess and good fats, and radishes, cucumber, and carrot for crunch. The yogurt-based dressing gets its oomph from soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of rice vinegar. It’s just two Weight Watcher’s points per delicious serving.
8. Monte Christo Flatout Sandwich
This five-point sandwich keeps the calorie count low, thanks to Everything Flatout bread. I also like to use extra egg whites in addition to a full egg. Drench each piece of bread in the egg mixture, milk, and spices, then pan-fry it with a dash of ranch dressing, ham, and Asiago cheese. Asiago cheese is one of my favorite diet hacks because a little goes a long way, flavor-wise. This sandwich is the smart, diet-friendly answer to those times when you’re craving grilled cheese.
9. Cream of Broccoli Soup
I grew up eating canned cream of broccoli soup for lunch, and this elevated adult version lets me enjoy all of the creamy goodness and flavors for only two Weight Watchers points per serving. Plus, it’s super simple to make as long as you have a blender, and you probably have everything you need right in your fridge and pantry. Start by cooking your broccoli florets with a little bit of sauteed onion, then add your broth and simmer. Thicken up the base with a mixture of cornstarch and water, and then you can blend half or all with skim milk for a satiny texture that’s better than store-bought.
10. Chik-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich is the ultimate Chik-Fil-A dupe, and at five points per serving, you can save yourself time and money at the drive-thru and stick to your points. This recipe relies on simple swaps, like whole wheat burger buns, to mimic the flavor without all of the fat. The marinade is a spice-heavy blend of tart pickle juice, paprika, garlic powder, celery salt, onion powder, and salt and pepper, and the longer you let your chicken breasts marinate, the better they will taste. I shoot for at least an hour. Grill up your chicken, toast the buns, and serve with plenty of sliced pickles for that signature Chik-Fil-A flair.
11. White Turkey Chili
Chili is a winter staple at our house, and this zero-point version is one of my favorite varieties to cook up. It’s packed to the brim with choice ingredients like white beans and mild-green chilis for kick, ground turkey, and an inspired blend of spices. A splash of vinegar adds acidity and really does tie the whole dish together. Plus, this dish only gets better as the flavors mingle, so it’s a great option to make ahead of time and pack up for a hearty mid-day treat that won’t cost you a single Weight Watcher’s point.
With a little preparation and a roster of all-star recipes that are low in points but big on flavor, you’ll have no problem sticking to your New Year’s resolutions. If you want to start January off on the right foot, consider making one or more of these portable, practical, and utterly scrumptious lunchtime faves.
I can’t wait to try some of these recipes! They sound great! Thanks!
Thank you for your support Dee!