Everyday lunches that won’t bore you silly

We all know that taking our lunch to work is a great way to save money and eat more healthily, but coming up with easy lunch ideas is harder than it seems! After a few days of the same boring midday meal, our enthusiasm tends to wane - and that's when we give in to the temptation of takeaway.

Healthy lunch ideas to save you time and money

How great would it be to spend your lunch hour strolling through the park, or catching up on the novel you're reading, instead of waiting in line at the local café? Not to mention, the huge amount of money you could save by bringing lunch in from home. Research conducted by ING Australia a few years ago revealed that Aussie employees spend a staggering $8.3 billion every year buying their lunch at work, forking out an average of $129 per month each! Imagine the holiday you could have if you banked all that cash!

To get you inspired, we've put together some easy lunch ideas that are perfect for taking to work, school or uni.

Salad, reimagined

A salad doesn't have to mean limp iceberg lettuce with a few cherry tomatoes on top. Leftover roast vegetables can be stirred through some cous cous or quinoa for a tasty, healthy lunch on the go. Mix in some chicken or chickpeas for a protein hit and garnish with fresh parsley to make your salad even more decadent. Another healthy lunch idea is a colourful, crunchy slaw made with raw veg such as kale, carrot and red cabbage, dressed with zesty lemon or creamy tahini. Add-ons such as roasted cashews, pumpkin seeds or dried cranberries are great for boosting texture and flavour. To prevent your salad from becoming soggy, pack sauces or dressings in a separate small container, to pour over when you're ready to eat.

Supercharged sandwiches

Easy to transport and eat with one hand while you read, work or scroll Instagram, and customisable with sweet or savoury fillings, sandwiches are a quick and easy lunch option. But that doesn't mean you need to suffer through the soggy Vegemite and cheese sarnies that plagued your childhood!

Swap the sliced white bread for a chewy focaccia or a super-healthy seeded wrap, and top with scrumptious fillings such as chargrilled capsicums, marinated feta or gourmet relish - so it looks and tastes like a café lunch, at a fraction of the price. Corn thins, rice cakes and quinoa crispbreads are great gluten-free alternatives. Pack your creation in an insulated bag, so it stays fresh until lunchtime.

Egg-cellent eggs

Hard-boiled, mashed with avo on a sourdough roll, or whipped up in a scramble - eggs can form the base for countless lunch recipes. Mini quiches or frittatas are great for work and school lunches because they can be customised to suit your tastes, and are delicious hot or cold. You could try the classic ham and cheese combo, throw in some leftover roast veg, or be really adventurous and add some finely diced chorizo and herbs. For those clocking on for the breakfast shift, homemade bacon and egg on English muffins is a cheaper and healthier alternative to taking a detour via the drive thru.

A (healthy) liquid lunch

On cooler days, there's nothing better than tucking into hot soup for lunch. If you're on the road often, or reheating facilities are limited at your workplace, you'll need an insulated container. While you're at it, why not pick one up for each of the kids, too - this one comes with its own spoon, in a variety of colours. For the summer months, protein shakes and smoothies make great, hands-free lunch options for adults and kids alike, and they pack a nutrient punch. Serve in an insulated cup to keep it cool.

Shop our great range of lunch bags, boxes and containers online or in store now at Harris Scarfe.