Special Diets Weight Loss Best Foods for Weight-Loss The 5 Best Lunch Foods and Ideas for Weight Loss These lunch foods and ideas will help power you through the afternoon while achieving your weight loss goals. By Jessica Migala Jessica Migala Jessica Migala is a health and fitness writer. Her work has appeared in more than 40 outlets. She focuses on a variety of topics such as diabetes prevention, vision care, nutrition, skincare, sleep health, pregnancy and post-partum care, among others. A graduate of Syracuse University, Jessica now lives in the Chicago suburbs with her two young sons, rescue beagle, and husband. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 25, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia Maria Laura is EatingWell's senior nutrition & news editor. As part of the nutrition team, she edits and assigns nutrition-related content and provides nutrition reviews for articles. Maria Laura is a trained dietitian, almond butter lover and food enthusiast with over seven years of experience in nutrition counseling. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines When aiming to lose weight, not only total calories should be considered, but also meal choices. When it comes to lunchtime, so often, you're rushed and pressed for time—or eating at your desk. And while it may not be ideal, a rushed lunch doesn't have to stop you from achieving your goals. In fact, some ready-to-use foods are simple to throw together and can help you reach your weight-loss goal. And, guess what: You know (and probably love) all of them. These are pretty easy to find. 1. Avocado Pictured Recipe: Tomato-&-Avocado Cheese Sandwich Whatever you choose for lunch—a salad, sandwich, grain bowl—top it with some avocado (or guac!). The creamy green 'cado offers some serious health perks. Research has found that eating avocado may play a role in reducing blood pressure, improving cognitive function, keeping arteries clear, bettering gut bacteria, and, yes, helping with weight loss. Avocados contain antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamins and fatty acids, as well as other plant compounds that may affect the hunger hormone leptin to help keep you satiated and help curb your appetite to sidestep over-snacking. 2. Whole Grains Pictured Recipe: Vegan Grain Bowl If you want to make a simple switch that can make a difference in weight-loss success, trade out refined grains (like white bread) for whole grains (like 100% whole-wheat bread) on your sandwich. Whole grains contain a higher amount of fiber compared to refined ones. An adequate intake of fiber positively affects your digestion and metabolism. Additionally, choosing whole grains over refined ones can help with weight loss goals and reduce the risk of developing diabetes or heart disease. Researchers have pointed out the importance of focusing on carbohydrate quality instead of quantity. Other great whole-grain sources include oatmeal, brown rice, barley, farro and even popcorn. Try grain bowls for a leisurely, packable work lunch. 3. Romaine Lettuce Pictured Recipe: Green Goddess Salad with Chicken Kale gets all the love (and it's a fantastic option, too), but if you prefer milder romaine lettuce as your salad base and it helps you eat more of it, go for it. In addition to supporting weight loss, romaine lettuce provides health benefits related to your skin and vision. In one study, where fruits and veggies were examined for their weight-management potential, one that came out on top was leafy greens. The veggies, like romaine lettuce, offer fiber and have a low glycemic load, which aids fullness and controls blood sugar. Spinach, Swiss chard or head lettuce are other good options. 4. Apple Pictured Recipe: Chicken & Apple Kale Wraps When you need a little something sweet after lunch, an apple is a great choice. These crisp fruits contain dietary fiber and plant compounds called polyphenols that help buoy good bacteria in the gut, possibly improving weight loss. Apples are also high in antioxidants—compounds that play an important role in chronic disease prevention. Don't just think of apples as a post-lunch food; thinly sliced apples also make great salad toppings and add a naturally sweet crunch to wraps and sandwiches. Is Eating Fruit Bad for Weight Loss? 5. Dairy Pictured Recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Contrary to popular belief, dairy may be another perfect food to pair with your meal if you're looking to lose weight. One study found that eating dairy in the long term was found to be associated with changes in body composition—mainly reducing fat and increasing muscle mass. Beyond weight loss, the study authors uncovered some surprising health benefits. Fermented dairy products, mainly cheese and yogurt, were associated with reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes. What's more, if you're running low on calcium, dairy foods are a great source of this bone-strengthening mineral, in addition to other calcium sources. To reduce your added sugar intake, you could skip the chocolate milk and flavored lattes. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. Dreher ML, Cheng FW, Ford NA. A comprehensive review of Hass Avocado Clinical Trials, observational studies and Biological Mechanisms. Nutrients. 2021;13(12):4376. doi:10.3390/nu13124376 Sievenpiper JL. Low-carbohydrate diets and cardiometabolic health: The importance of carbohydrate quality over quantity. Nutrition Reviews. 2020;78(Supplement_1):69-77. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz082 Wang T, Heianza Y, Sun D, et al. Improving fruit and vegetable intake attenuates the genetic association with long-term weight gain. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019;110(3):759-768. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqz136 Asgary S, Rastqar A, Keshvari M. Weight loss associated with consumption of Apples: A Review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2018;37(7):627-639. doi:10.1080/07315724.2018.1447411 Mozaffarian D. Dairy Foods, obesity, and Metabolic Health: The role of the food matrix compared with single nutrients. Advances in Nutrition. 2019;10(5). doi:10.1093/advances/nmz053