What Should I Eat for Lunch Today?

Not sure what to eat for lunch this week? We’ve got some easy lunch ideas for work and school, including a shopping list. Snap your grocery receipts in the Fetch app to redeem them for a gift card and have lunch on us next time. So, read on for our guide on what to pack for lunch, make your next grocery shopping list and have an answer the next time you ask, “What should I eat for lunch today?”

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Easy Lunch Ideas for Work or School

If you don’t know what to eat for lunch, you’re far from alone. Whether you’re packing a school lunch for the kids or looking for packed lunch ideas for adults, we’ve got you covered with the essentials:

• Quick Snacks: A Yoplait yogurt cup or an Uncrustables sandwich is the perfect grab and go when you don’t have the time in the morning and know you need something for lunch. 
• Rice Bowls: With a rice cooker, you either set it and forget it or you quickly make a fresh batch when prepping meals. Toss some roasted veggies or shredded chicken on top for a light but filling lunch.
• Sandwiches: Perhaps the staple lunch, a sandwich can be so many things. The childhood favorite of Jif peanut butter and Smuckers jelly or a caprese built on BelGioioso cheese. If the fridge is getting low, Greenfield deli meats plus fresh veggies plus a sauce or two will do in a pinch, too.
• Dips or Spreads: Chips and dip aren’t just for the big game. Sabra hummus with either crackers or pita bread can make for a healthy and easy lunch. Tostitos tortilla chips and salsa (or guacamole) is a quick lunch idea, too.
• Leftovers: Plan your meals so they make for good leftovers. 
• Soups: Maybe you tossed a dozen ingredients into the slow cooker and let it work its magic. Or maybe you’ve got emergency miso soup or ramen packages around the house. Soup is an easy lunch to pack for work.
• Lunchables: You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy a simple lunch of a few great snacks that go well together. Pick a favorite Sargento cheese, Gallo Salame meat and some rye chips or crackers. 
• Yogurt: Pair with some granola or fresh fruit (or both) and your Oui or Yoplait yogurt gets transformed from a quick snack to an easy packed lunch idea for adults.

Want more specifics on what to pack for lunch? Keep reading!

What to Eat with Cottage Cheese for Lunch

It’s rich in nutrients and easy to grab and go, but what can you eat with cottage cheese for lunch? A lot, actually: 

• Sweet: Great with fresh fruit (especially acidic fruits like pineapple or orange), your favorite jam, or even a bit of dark chocolate.
• Savory: Veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers, eggs (with salt, pepper and some extra seasonings), or crumbled bacon.
• Sneaky: You can also sneak cottage cheese into recipes for an easy protein add. Consider trying it in your sauces for dishes like pasta in a creamy parmesan sauce or macaroni and cheese.

Now that you know what to eat with cottage cheese for lunch, your menu should look a lot fuller.

What to Eat with a Salad for Lunch

If you’re wondering what to eat with a salad for lunch, you’re not alone. We think it would be better to ask how to make the salad a star of your lunch, rather than an accessory. Here are our tips for a lunch salad:

• Protein: Choose one (or more) that you know you enjoy when cooked. Well-seasoned chicken, cubed ham or shredded turkey all provide a punch of flavor on their own, as do bacon and shrimp. Meatless? Egg, tofu or seitan are all great protein options.
• Greens: Dark leafy greens are going to provide more nutrients and flavor to your lunch salad. Spinach is always a good choice and goes well on its own. Kale and other more bitter greens are still a good option, but be sure to mix them (like in a kale mix or a spring mix with kale added).
• Veggies: Tomatoes are pretty standard, but consider sliced bell pepper, edamame, and mushrooms, too.
• Dressing: Even if you’re watching what you eat, dressing can make all the difference. Choose a light vinaigrette like red wine or balsamic (especially if you toss a sprinkle of feta or blue cheese) or go for a creamier thousand island or ranch. 

When you know what to eat with a salad for lunch, those leafy greens start to look the opposite of boring.

What to Eat with Hummus for Lunch

Sometimes the answer to “what to eat with hummus for lunch” is “something to scoop it with.” And that’s valid. But hummus is also a great way to bring more protein into your lunch:

• Spreads: With so many flavors of Sabra hummus to choose from, there’s one to fit the sandwich you’ve got planned for tomorrow. When in doubt, roasted red pepper is never a bad choice.
• Sauces: Like with cottage cheese, you can use hummus as a base for your protein-packed pasta sauces. Spicy avocado or sun dried tomato hummus are especially good for sauces (disguise more veggies in with zucchini noodles). 
• Soups: Hummus can add just the flavor punch and thickness your soup needs to really be the star of lunch (soups have it tough). Anything thicker, like a bisque or a curry soup could benefit.
• Rice Bowl: We touched on rice bowls above, and if you’re tossing different ingredients in for a real variety at lunch, add a spoonful of hummus or two.

With so much to eat with hummus for lunch, don’t be surprised if it becomes a staple food in your house.

Your Lunch Essentials Shopping List

So, if you struggle deciding on easy lunches to pack for work, it’s good to keep the staple ingredients around the house, which you can then spice up a bit with your next trip to the store. Packed lunch ideas for adults and children start with:

• Bread
• Rice or noodles
• Fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables
• Leafy greens for salads
• Nuts and seeds
• Deli meats
• Cheeses
• Yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Hummus
• Instant soups

You don’t need all of these on-hand, but they’re good building blocks to whip together lunch while you’re in a meeting or rushing to get out the door in the morning.

Find Offers on Easy Lunch Essentials in the Fetch App

If you don’t already have it, download the Fetch app now and check for special offers to earn extra points on brands like Smartfood, Ritz, Chips Ahoy and more. And remember, if you’re looking for things to pack for lunch, you bookmarked this blog, right? Come back and start working on your grocery list so you’ve got easy lunches to pack for work next time.