Enjoy Lunch Again with These “Adult Lunchables” Ideas

Whether you’re back in an office or working from home, the same old lunch day after day can get boring fast. Remember how fun it was to get Lunchables in your bag as a kid? You can experience that same snacks-as-a meal joy you got in the school cafeteria — and the associated nostalgia, too — by making yourself a grownup (and healthier) version: adult lunchables.

We gathered some quick and easy, tasty, fun, and good-for-you ideas for adult lunchables, so you’ll look forward to lunchtime again.

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Healthy adult lunchables

There are many advantages to packing snacky lunches like these:

• They’re fun. No more boring one-bowl salads or same-old sandwiches
• Use up leftovers. An adult lunchable lets you finish up small amounts of leftovers, so you waste less food (and save money)
• They’re nutritious. Follow this basic formula by dietitian Nicole Addison, and all of your nutrition bases are covered (protein + fiber-rich carb + fruit and veggies + snack/sweet treat)
• They’re stress-free. Some adult lunchables fit well into meal planning, if that’s your thing — while others are simple to throw together on the fly. Make it work for you based on your habits and preferences

In fact, one commenter on a TikTok about adult lunchables noted: “I have ADHD and doing healthy snacking like this instead of more planned out meals has been a game changer for me! Helps with the executive dysfunction and overwhelm of nutrition.”

Lunchable ideas for adults

Following Addison’s formula, here are ideas for each of the categories. Select one or two proteins, two or more fruits and vegetables, one carb, and one snack/treat.

Protein

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Cottage cheese
• Cooked shrimp
• Leftover protein from dinner
• High-protein dip 
• Tuna or chicken salad (or another canned fish)
• Deli meat
• Edamame
• Cheese
• Charcuterie meats (prosciutto, salami, pepperoni)
• Beans or chickpeas

Fiber-rich carbs

Fruits and vegetables also count as fiber-rich carbs, so you can skip this group and double up on those, if you like.

• Whole-grain crackers
• Whole-grain pita or flatbread
• Brown rice cakes
• Popcorn
• Quinoa
• Roasted sweet potato chunks

Fruits and vegetables

Choose any that you like that are in season, and pre-chop or slice where needed. Some favorites:

• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Cherry tomatoes
• Sliced fennel
• Apple
• Pear
• Berries
• Melon
• Grapes

Snacks/treats

• Protein/energy bites
• Small low-sugar granola bar
• Mini peanut butter cup
• Slice of homemade banana bread or zucchini bread
• Small piece of dark chocolate

Read next: 6 Healthy Lunch Ideas Nutritionists Actually Pack for Their Kids