Looking for healthy lunch options? Click on the recipes below to expand some tasty, diabetes-friendly ideas.
Chef Salad
Chef Salad
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- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup chopped vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers)
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 oz diced lean ham
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
- 1/2 cup garbanzo beans
Tuna Salad Sandwich
Tuna Salad Sandwich
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- 2 oz canned tuna
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. pickle relish
- 2 slices whole-wheat bread
Combine tuna, mayonnaise, and relish in a small bowl. Spoon onto one slice of bread. Cover with second slice of bread to make a sandwich.
Hearty Chili
Hearty Chili
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- 2 oz lean ground turkey (99% fat free)
- 2 Tbsp. diced onions
- 2 Tbsp. chopped green peppers
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup kidney beans
Brown ground turkey over medium heat in a saucepan with onions and peppers. Drain excess fat. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Turkey Sandwich
Turkey Sandwich
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- 2 slices whole-wheat bread
- 2 oz deli turkey
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- Lettuce and tomato slices
Grilled Chicken Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad
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- 2 cups chopped lettuce
- 1 cup chopped vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, mushrooms)
- 2 oz grilled chicken
- 1/2 cup garbanzo beans
- 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat salad dressing
Cobb Salad With Shrimp
Cobb Salad With Shrimp
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- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 5 cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp. cubed avocado
- 1 hard-boiled egg, sliced
- 2 oz cooked, peeled shrimp
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp. low-fat blue cheese dressing
Top romaine lettuce with tomatoes, avocado, egg, and shrimp. Season with pepper and serve with low-fat blue cheese dressing.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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- 2 slices whole-wheat bread
- 1-1/2 oz lowfat cheese
- 1 Tbsp. reduced-fat margarine spread
Greek Hummus Pita
Greek Hummus Pita
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- 1 (6-inch) pita
- 1/3 cup hummus
- 1 cup chopped vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions)
- 4 large black olives, sliced
- 1 oz reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 Tbsp. reduced-fat vinaigrette dressing
Spread hummus inside pita. Stuff with vegetables, olives, and cheese. Drizzle with vinaigrette dressing.
Veggie Pita Pizza
Veggie Pita Pizza
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- 1 (6-inch) whole-wheat pita
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mixed vegetables of choice
Place pita on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Spread tomato sauce on pita, and top with cheese and vegetables. Bake at 450°F for 7 to 9 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.
Turkey Avocado Ranch Wrap
Turkey Avocado Ranch Wrap
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- 1 (8-inch) whole-wheat flour tortilla
- 2 oz sliced turkey breast
- 1 oz reduced-fat cheese
- 1 Tbsp. reduced-fat ranch salad dressing
- 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced tomato
- 4 Tbsp. avocado
Spread ranch dressing on tortilla. Top with turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. Roll up tortilla.
Bean Dip
Bean Dip
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- 1/2 cup fat-free refried beans
- 1 cup diced vegetables (tomatoes, green peppers, onions)
- 2 Tbsp. avocado
- 1 oz shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Spread ingredients in layers in a small bowl.
Pasta Salad
Pasta Salad
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- 2/3 cup cooked rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup kidney beans
- 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat Italian dressing
- 1 oz reduced-fat shredded cheese
Toss all ingredients to combine.
Herbed Tuna Sandwich
Herbed Tuna Sandwich
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- 2 oz light water-packed tuna, drained
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- Dash of dried basil
- Dash of onion powder
- 1/2-oz slice reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 2 slices whole-wheat bread
- 1 lettuce leaf
- 2 tomato slices
Combine tuna, mayonnaise, basil, and onion powder. Spread on whole-wheat bread. Add cheese, lettuce, and tomato slices.
Tuna Salad on Crackers
Tuna Salad on Crackers
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- 2 oz canned tuna
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. pickle relish
- 5 whole-wheat crackers
Combine tuna, mayonnaise, and relish in a small bowl. Spoon onto crackers.
Ham Sandwich
Ham Sandwich
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- 2 slices whole-wheat bread
- 2 oz lean deli ham
- 1 lettuce leaf
- 2 tomato slices
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
Veggie Burger
Veggie Burger
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- 1 vegetarian burger patty
- 1 whole-wheat bun
- 2 tomato slices
- 1 lettuce leaf
- 1 Tbsp. mayonnaise
Chopped Veggie Salad
Chopped Veggie Salad
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- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup chopped fresh vegetables (tomatoes, green peppers, mushrooms)
- 2 Tbsp. part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup croutons
- 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat Italian dressing
Tuna Salad Wrap
Tuna Salad Wrap
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- 3 oz canned albacore tuna, packed in water
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. avocado
- 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 (6-inch) flour tortilla
Stir tuna, mayonnaise, avocado, and relish until combined. Spread tuna mixture onto tortilla. Top with lettuce, and roll up.
Chocolate-Cinnamon Shake
Chocolate-Cinnamon Shake
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- 1 Rich Chocolate Glucerna Hunger Smart Shake
- Cinnamon to taste
Pour shake into a tall glass. Add cinnamon to taste, and stir to combine.
Veggies and Dip
Veggies and Dip
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- 1/2 cup fresh cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh green peppers, sliced
- 2 Tbsp. fat-free ranch dressing
Hummus Roll-up
Hummus Roll-up
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- 1/3 cup prepared hummus
- 1/3 cup each chopped cucumber, red bell pepper, and tomatoes
- 1 cup romaine lettuce
- 2 Tbsp. feta cheese
- 1 (6-inch) flour tortilla
Spread hummus evenly on tortilla. Top with chopped vegetables, lettuce, and feta. Roll up.
Roast Beef Sandwich
Roast Beef Sandwich
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- 2 slices whole-wheat bread
- 2 oz low-fat deli roast beef
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- Lettuce and 2 tomato slices
Chickpea Salad
Chickpea Salad
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- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup chopped fresh vegetables (tomatoes, green peppers, and mushrooms)
- 1/2 cup chickpeas
- 1 Tbsp. sunflower seed kernels
- 2 Tbsp. part-skim mozzarella shredded cheese
- 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat salad dressing
Taco Salad
Taco Salad
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- 2 oz extra-lean ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded leaf lettuce
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1 Tbsp. light sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
Brown ground beef in a small skillet; drain. Add taco seasoning and 2 Tbsp. of water. Cook until seasoning is thoroughly mixed into ground beef and mixture thickens. Remove from heat; set aside. Combine lettuce, tomatoes, and black beans in a bowl. Top with meat, sour cream, and salsa.
Tuna Salad Pita
Tuna Salad Pita
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- 2 oz canned albacore tuna, packed in water
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. avocado
- 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish
- 2 romaine lettuce leaves
- 1 (6-inch) whole-grain pita
Stir tuna, mayonnaise, avocado, and relish until combined. Stuff pita with tuna mixture and lettuce.
Broccoli-and-Cheese-Stuffed Potato
Broccoli-and-Cheese-Stuffed Potato
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- 1 medium (6-oz) potato, baked with skin
- 1/3 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked chopped broccoli
- 2 Tbsp. light sour cream
- Pinch of salt substitute
Split baked potato with a knife. Stuff with broccoli, cheese, and sour cream. Sprinkle with salt substitute.
Fruit Salad With Yogurt
Fruit Salad With Yogurt
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- 1/2 banana, sliced
- 8 small grapes
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 Tbsp. slivered almonds
- 6 oz nonfat, reduced-sugar vanilla yogurt
Combine banana, grapes, and strawberries in a bowl. Top with yogurt and sprinkle with slivered almonds.
Berry Spinach Salad
Berry Spinach Salad
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- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1/3 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted pecan halves
- 2 Tbsp. blue cheese crumbles
- 2 Tbsp. reduced-fat red wine vinaigrette dressing
Veggie Pasta Salad
Veggie Pasta Salad
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- 1/3 cup cooked whole-wheat rotini pasta
- 1/3 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh broccoli
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2 Tbsp.reduced-fat Italian dressing
- 2 Tbsp. crumbled feta cheese
Deli Chicken Sandwich
Deli Chicken Sandwich
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- 2 slices whole-wheat bread
- 1 oz lean deli chicken
- 1 lettuce leaf
- 1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise