5 Low Carb Lunch Ideas That Are Actually Tasty

 While breakfast boasts nutritious staples like eggs, yogurt, and fruit-filled smoothies, and dinner offers lean, protein-packed choices such as perfectly cooked steak and roast chicken, lunch tends to be a bit more flexible. Although standard salads, sandwiches, and soups are commonly found, they often lack excitement and may be made with less-than-ideal ingredients.

That's precisely why we have curated a collection of low carb lunch ideas that are not only healthy and delicious but also prevent that dreaded 3 o'clock slump. Among these nutritious lunch options are the Zesty Chicken Salad, Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps, and more, each containing fewer than 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Continue reading to discover twenty-four ways to elevate your mundane lunch routine!

1) Speedy Steak and Blackberry Salad

ANDREW PURCELL

This salad looks fancy (thanks to the steak) but comes together in just 30 minutes. Aside from the meat, this lunch dish is packed with healthy ingredients including fresh blackberries, arugula, roasted pistachios, and a sprinkling of crumbled goat cheese.

02) Grilled Honeynut Squash Salad

CHRISTOPHER TESTANI

Sweet, honeynut squash is the star of this fall salad, and with good reason. Inside, you’ll also find nutritious ingredients like Napa cabbage, radicchio, pepitas, and mint, and don’t even get us started on the punchy miso-and-spicy brown mustard dressing. In addition to topping the salad, the dressing also coats the squash and cabbage before they hit the grill, infusing them with even more flavor. 

3) Chard and Herb Frittata With Cherry Tomatoes

GREG DUPREE

Who says eggs can only be enjoyed at breakfast? This meal is proof that eggs for lunch is an excellent idea, especially when they are coupled with fresh Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, and plenty of herbs and spices. The healthy mix-ins mean there are few carbohydrates and plenty of protein.

4)Warm Chicken Shawarma Salad

GREG DUPREE

In this 30-minute salad, chicken is flavored with a shawarma-inspired spice blend made with coriander, cumin, cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, and allspice. The lean, flavorful meat is then paired with peppery arugula, a shower of herbs, creamy yogurt dressing, and warm pita. Skip the pita if you want even fewer carbs, but even with it this dish is still satiating and healthy.

5) Salmorejo with Prosciutto and Hard-Boiled Egg

JEN CAUSEY

Similar to gazpacho, this cold no-cook soup is made with tomatoes and bread, yet it still only has 22 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Pair it with prosciutto and a hard-boiled egg for plenty of satiating protein.