Trying to maintain the Paleo lifestyle and dip your toes into veganism? It’s not impossible to do, but it can certainly be tricky! Whether you’re trying to adhere to both diet regimens or just taking the occasional break from animal products, your task will be to bulk up on healthy fruits and vegetables in order to avoid dairy, grains, meat, and eggs. For busy working professionals, the hardest meal of the day is definitely lunch time. It’s easy to have a piece of fruit for breakfast and cook something creative at night for dinner, but how to stay on target in the middle of the day when you only have one hour before you need to get back to the grind?
Luckily, you don’t have to pack the same plainly dressed lettuce salad to tote to your office every day. We’ve collected recipe ideas from Pinterest and bloggers everywhere that incorporate only the finest Paleo and vegan high-quality ingredients. Discover hearty soups, fresh salads, noodles made from spiralized zucchini and spaghetti squash, eggplant sauces, falafel, and even imitation sushi rolls to help satisfy your craving for variety.
Why not spend your next Sunday evening prepping your favorites, so your next five days you can grab your pre-packaged lunches and go? You’ll be the envy of those colleagues that rely solely on pizza delivery and Chinese takeout.
“Chicken” Salad
This veggie mixture of bell peppers, onions, carrots, broccoli, and jalapeno are blended up and topped with an herbal cashew dressing, making it resemble the consistency of chicken salad. Wrap them in lettuce and take ‘em to go! RECIPE
Curry Over Zucchini Noodles
Toss this spicy curry sauce, made with cashews, garlic, and avocado, with spiralized zucchini noodles the night before for a zesty lunch you don’t even need to reheat! RECIPE
Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein
If you have time on a weeknight to make this, the leftovers are perfect to tote for lunch the next day. Just roast an entire spaghetti squash and sauté with cabbage, celery, carrots and ginger for a healthy lunch that can be easily reheated – or eaten cold. RECIPE
Hearty Vegetable Soup
Double or triple this recipe to freeze and have on hand when the winter blues kick in. This veggie-forward soup with bone-warming tomatoes and Italian seasoning is just what the doctor ordered when it’s too cold to go outside on your lunch break. RECIPE
Stuffed Squash Pizza Boats
Take it old school and bring a grown-up version of your childhood cafeteria favorite to lunch! These pizza boats are constructed inside butternut squash halves for a hearty meal that’ll last you all the way to dinner. RECIPE
Sweet Potato Beet Salad
A big bowl of this hearty, colorful salad, topped with date balsamic dressing, is a great reason to start cooking and chopping on Sunday nights! RECIPE
Pepita Pancakes with Persimmon Compote
Who says pancakes are only for breakfast? This Paleo and vegan recipe calls for flax “eggs” for a sticky substitute that’ll help bind the batter together. RECIPE
Eggplant Bolognese Sauce
Got a favorite Paleo noodle or pasta? Top it with this rich and hearty eggplant-based Bolognese for a sauce that beats plain marinara any day of the week. RECIPE
Winter Pumpkin Soup with Curry Spices
To make this soup the way it’s truly intended, use winter luxury pumpkin, an heirloom breed with concentrated flavor. If you can’t get your hands on one, a regular pumpkin will still make for a great pureed soup that will only intensify in flavors overnight. RECIPE
Kale Apple Salad
You can easily throw this salad together in the morning, even if you’re running low on time! Just chop an apple, throw in some cranberries and almonds, and let the salad mellow with its lemon juice and maple syrup dressing ‘til noon. RECIPE
Ginger Carrot Soup
A generous knob of ginger helps make this pureed soup of carrots, onion, zucchini, and apple both warming and refreshing at the same time. RECIPE
Avocado Tomato Cucumber Salad
If you have a few minutes to spare before you head out the door, chop up the veggies to prep this quick and easy salad. The handful of arugula will add a peppery note that balances the sweet balsamic dressing nicely! RECIPE
Harissa Portobello Mushroom “Tacos”
They aren’t just lettuce wraps when spicy mushrooms and guacamole are topped with cashew cream, tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. These flavorful creations absolutely earn the title of “tacos”! RECIPE
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup
What better way to prep for lunch than to let a soup simmer (safely) all day long? This simple, seven-ingredient soup cooks for six hours before the addition of coconut milk for a creamy lunch that’ll make up to four servings! RECIPE
Zucchini Fettuccine with Rosemary Butternut Creme Sauce
Warm up your tastebuds with this creamy pasta that is totally Paleo and vegan-friendly! A whole pound of shiitake mushrooms certainly cannot be wrong. RECIPE
Masala Cauli-Fried Rice
Your coworkers may be ordering greasy fried rice for lunch, but you’re ahead of the game with this spicy take on fried cauliflower rice. Bursting with the flavors of turmeric, ginger, coriander and lots of fresh vegetables, this version beats takeout any day. RECIPE
Daikon Rolls with Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto
Who would have guessed that sushi rolls could be vegan and Paleo? This creation of blended pumpkin seeds and cilantro rolled in long daikon radish slices proves not only that it can be done, but that it can be done right. RECIPE
Mini Balsamic Mushroom Caps
Cute enough for the hors d’oeuvres platter but fitted specially for your lunchbox, these baby bellas are stuffed with a tomato, spinach, and garlic mixture for a delicious nutritious punch right in the middle of your day. RECIPE
Brussels Sprouts Salad
No one could call this a sad desk salad, even if you do eat it at your desk! This robust and crunchy salad adds cubed apple, toasted almonds, and a zesty dressing of Dijon mustard and lime for a healthy and filling lunch. RECIPE
Paleo Falafel
Want to take a walk to the falafel cart for old time’s sake? Resist the urge and create your own healthy, Paleo, and entirely vegan falafels using a food dehydrator. Don’t have one? Cooking low and slow will do just as nicely! RECIPE
Paleo Fruit Salad
Traditionally sweet and perhaps a little lemony, this fruit salad incorporates savory flavors through grape tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and balsamic vinegar for a version fit for a main course. RECIPE
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