6 Healthy Brown Bag Lunches That Save Time and Money

Hummus Collard Wraps

Wraps are a popular lunchtime option—you can pack in a lot of flavor and nutrition, all in a convenient package! This hummus version uses collard green leaves as the “wrap” portion (think lettuce wraps) for an even healthier twist. Layer a generous scoop of hummus inside the collard leaf, then pile high with the vegetables of your choice. If you have veggies like tomatoes, put them in the very middle, so they’re less likely to leak out the sides during the day. You can keep these wraps unrefrigerated for the morning, too, so they’re a great option if you’ll be out and about before lunch!

Scrambled Chickpea and Spinach Pita

This chickpea and spinach mixture is simple to make ahead of time and can be frozen in small amounts for individual lunches. If you grab a portion from the freezer in the morning, everything should be ready to eat by noon! The blend of spices in this chickpea mix makes it rich and hearty even though it’s healthy. Use a whole-wheat pita pocket for even more fiber to keep you full until dinner.

Frittata Muffins

These protein-packed muffins are an excellent lunch to pack for a busy day out of the house. Because they’re small, you can eat a couple as you run between obligations or sit down and have several along with some fruit or yogurt for a complete meal. Quinoa provides the bulk for these muffins and is a wonderful source of whole grains and protein. You can use whatever vegetables you’d like (this is a great way to use up the almost-wilted greens, for example), along with eggs and cheese. Hot or cold, these mini muffins hit the spot!