It's time for another installment of our healthy lunch series

In this week’s series, we’ll share a fresh list, including salads, soups and other fun ideas, which were inspired by some of our very own favorites, as well as our wonderFULL readers and Facebook Community.

We hope these ideas give you some inspiration when it comes to packing healthy lunches for you and your family, without lunch meat.

One of the simplest ways to pack lunch is leftovers

Because the busy woman struggle is real, make extra of ALL of your favorite meals knowing that you can use leftovers to pack lunches or freeze them for future lunches.

If you really want to simplify things, make a double or triple batch of a freezer-friendly meal over the weekend. Serve your family half, and wrap the leftovers individually or store them in Ziploc bags, glass mason jars or airtight containers. You can stick a piece of masking tape or freezer tape on each container and write the date you made it and what the meal is. Then, all you have to do is defrost it overnight, pack it and head out of the door.

Salads (served cold)

• Chicken caprese salad – leftover chicken, tomato slices and fresh basil, drizzled with balsamic vinegar or pesto (served with toasted pita wedges)
• Dill Chicken Salad (served with pita wedges cut into triangles or in a Bibb lettuce “cup”)
• Egg salad – variations include egg salad that’s made with plain Greek yogurt or avocado rather than mayo (served with pita wedges, in a Bibb lettuce “cup” or with raw veggies)
• Mediterranean Pasta Salad with leftover chicken (served with fresh fruit)
• Whole wheat pasta salad: pasta tossed with diced tomatoes, EVOO/pesto and mozzarella/ parmesan cheese (served with fresh fruit)

Soup (can be previously made and defrosted; served warm in a thermos)

• Tomato soup or bisque (with or without whole wheat noodles floating in it)
• Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup
• Vegetable soup (with or without whole wheat noodles floating in it)
• Creamy Southwest Chicken Chili

Misc. (served hot or cold)

• Beans mixed with leftover cooked ground beef and topped with cheese (served warm in thermos with Greek yogurt on the side)
• Food on a stick packed with a side of rice – think of a kabob
• Homemade chicken nuggets/tenders (made previously and defrosted, served with Honey Mustard)
• Leftover Carrot Fritters (made previously and defrosted)
• Leftover homemade pizza (served hot or cold)
• Slow cooker BBQ chicken (served over rice, in a wrap or on a salad with a side of fresh fruit or Coleslaw)

Need some quick and easy snack ideas to go along with your lunch? Check out our Snack Ideas for Kids and Adults.

Let’s simplify lunchtime – together!