Food & Nutrition Meal Ideas 10 Low-Calorie Lunches That'll Fill You Up *Just* the Right Amount By Joy Manning Updated on January 14, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images Goodbye, Grubhub. These tasty 400-calorie lunches will inspire you to brown bag it! 01 of 10 Spicy Bean and Guacamole Burritos Chris Gallo Guac on with this vegetarian low-calorie lunch. Ingredients 1/2 cup canned low-fat refried beans1/4 cup salsa3 tablespoons guacamole1 cup shredded romaine lettuce2 small (6-inch) whole-grain tortillas1 cup red grapes Directions Stir together beans and salsa. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.Place warm bean mixture, guacamole, and lettuce on tortillas and roll up.Serve with grapes on the side 02 of 10 Barbecue Baja Burger Chris Gallo Take your meatless burger on a trip south of the border with this better-than-fast-food 400-calorie lunch. Ingredients 1 vegetarian burger1 whole-wheat bun1 tablespoon barbecue sauce1/4 avocado, thinly sliced1/4 cup bean sprouts1/2 cup pineapple cubes Directions Cook burger in microwave according to package directions.Place on bun with barbecue sauce; top with avocado and sprouts.Serve with pineapple on the side. 03 of 10 Meatball Sandwich Chris Gallo This saucy sub tastes far more indulgent than its low-calorie lunch tally might suggest. A little cheese goes a long way to help this healthy sandwich seem like something you’d find at a checkered-tablecloth Italian restaurant. Ingredients 4 meatballs1 whole-grain hot-dog bun2 tablespoons marinara sauce1/2 cup sliced green pepper2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese1 medium orange Directions Heat meatballs in microwave until warm.Place warm meatballs on bun with sauce and peppers, and sprinkle with cheese.Warm sandwich in microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.Serve orange slices on the side. 04 of 10 Greek Chopped Pita Salad Chris Gallo The Mediterranean Diet has been proven to be among the healthiest eating plans on earth. Get a taste via this 400-calorie lunch salad that comes together in mere minutes. Ingredients 2 cups romaine lettuce2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese1/2 cup canned garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained1/2 cup cucumber, sliced1 whole-wheat pita, chopped into strips2 tablespoons vinaigrette Directions Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl and toss thoroughly. 05 of 10 Chili and Chips Chris Gallo Comfort food alert! This is the perfect 400-calorie lunch to warm up a chilly day. Ingredients 1 cup canned turkey or vegetarian chili1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli3 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese1/4 cup crushed corn chips Directions Mix together chili and broccoli and microwave for about 5 minutes, until broccoli is tender.Top chili mixture with shredded cheese and crushed chips. 06 of 10 Vegetarian Mediterranean Wrap Thinkstock For a meatless low-calorie lunch that satisfies, include fiber-filled veggies and a source of protein, such as hummus or tofu. Ingredients 1 whole-wheat tortilla1/4 cup hummus1 sliced tomato1 tablespoon feta cheese4 chopped black olives Directions Spread tortilla evenly with hummus.Top with tomato slices, feta, and black olives.Roll or fold into a burrito shape. 07 of 10 Tuna Nicoise Thinkstock Feeling French? Consider this twist on a classic nicoise salad. (BTW, did you know tuna's a good post-workout snack?) Ingredients 4 ounces canned albacore tuna, rinsed and drained1 teaspoon capers1 teaspoon olive oil1 teaspoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley1 teaspoon chopped scallions1 teaspoon lemon juice1 cup Boston lettuce1 hard-boiled egg, quartered1/2 cup cooked fingerling potatoes1/2 cup green beans2 tablespoons Kalamata olives, quartered Directions In a small bowl, mix tuna with capers, olive oil, parsley, scallions, and lemon juice.Top lettuce with tuna, hard-boiled egg, fingerling potatoes, green beans, and olives. 08 of 10 Goat Cheese Lentil and Couscous Salad Getty Images Meal prep a big batch of lentils and couscous or quinoa to make it a breeze to toss together this low-calorie lunch—and other well-balanced meals throughout the week. Ingredients 1/4 cup cooked lentils1/2 cup cooked whole-wheat couscous3/4 cup cherry tomatoes2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheeseOptional: 1/2 lemon juice Directions In a to-go bowl, mix lentils with couscous, tomatoes, and goat cheese.Pack with lemon to squeeze juice on top, if desired. 09 of 10 Marinated Kale and Chicken Salad Getty Images Skip the pricey, calorie-laden restaurant salad and try this way-easy sweet and savory kale salad instead. Ingredients 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 tablespoon olive oil2 cups shredded kale1/2 cup diced leftover or grilled chicken1 tablespoon dried currants Directions In a medium bowl, toss fresh lemon juice and olive oil with kale and allow to marinate overnight.Just before eating your 400-calorie lunch, top with chicken and dried currants. 10 of 10 Two-Bean Grilled Chicken Salad Getty Images If you prefer more of a "dressing" for your Mexican-inspired recipe, add a 1/4 cup of salsa to this 400-calorie lunch. Ingredients 2 cups chopped romaine leaves1/2 cup chopped leftover or grilled chicken1/4 cup white beans1/4 cup black beans1/8 sliced red onion2 tablespoons cilantroJuice from 1 lime Directions Toss lettuce with chicken, beans, onion, and cilantro.Dress with a squeeze of lime. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit