3 lunches I ate to lose 42 lbs

If you watch my YouTube channel, you know that I recently found some of my old weight loss journals where I used to write down all the meals that helped me lose weight. I’ve been looking through them to find some easy lunches!

The meal that I’ve always struggled with the most is lunch because it’s awkwardly in the middle of the day when it’s the most busy. So, I need something quick and easy to make. But I want something that tastes good (something I can look forward to) and something that fills me up (no one wants to be hungry after lunch).

So, I wanna show you some very simple, easy lunches that I’ve pulled out of my journals. You can make all of these in 10 minutes or less – to eat at home or to take packed for school or work. They’re all low calorie but still filling – and they’re all higher in protein.

I hope you love them as much as I do!
Liezl

These easy lunches check all the boxes for me

– Spicy chicken mayo wrap
– Hummus + roast pepper sandwich
– Mexican black bean + pepper salad

RECIPES

SPICY CHICKEN MAYO WRAP

Ingredients (wrap):
– 1 x burrito sized tortilla (roughly 200 cal)
– Onion slices (optional)
– Red bell pepper slices (or tomato slices)
– Baby spinach or lettuce
(serves one)

Ingredients (chicken mayo):
– 80g pre-cooked chicken (cut in strips, I use plain grilled chicken breast meat)
– 1 tbsp mayonnaise
– 1 tsp ketchup
– 1/2 tsp sriracha or hot sauce (or as needed)
– 1 tsp lemon juice
– Smoked paprika (just a pinch, optional)
(serves one)

Calories: Roughly 400 per serving (or 4 points with my point system)

Protein: 24g

Vegan alt:
– Replace mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise
– Replace 80g grilled chicken with 1/3 to 1/2 cup chickpeas (canned, drained and rinsed)
– Smash the chickpeas before mixing with the mayo sauce

HUMMUS + ROAST PEPPER SANDWICH

Ingredients (roast bell peppers):
– 3 to 4 bell peppers (red, orange, yellow)
– 1/2 to 2 tsp chili flakes
– 1/2 tsp dried oregano or basil
– Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
– 1 to 2 tsp cooking oil
(Makes 4-8 servings)

Ingredients (sandwich):
– 2 slices bread (70-80 cal per slice, Udi’s millet + chia bread)
– 1/3 cup plain hummus
– Roast bell pepper slices (about 1/2 cup cooked)
– A few cucumber slices
– Lettuce or baby spinach
(serves one)

Calories: Roughly 400 per serving (or 4 points with my point system)

Protein: 15g

MEXICAN BLACK BEAN + PEPPER SALAD

Ingredients (salad):
– Roast bell pepper slices (about 1/2 cup cooked)
– 1/2 cup black beans
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes
– 1 cup cucumber
– 1/3 large avocado (or 1/2 small)
– 1/3 cup chopped cilantro (or parsley, or baby spinach)
– 1 tsp olive oil
– 1 tsp lime juice
– 1/8 onion optional
– Salt and pepper
– Cayenne pepper (pinch)
– Dried chili pepper flakes (pinch)
(serves one)

On the side:
– Tortilla chips (140 calorie serving size, roughly 14-21 chips)

Calories: Roughly 400 per serving *Calories calculated using a 140 calorie serving of tortilla chips (or 4 points with my point system)

Protein: 12g

Photos, video and recipes by Liezl Jayne for liezljayne.com

3 lunches I ate to lose 42 lbs – easy + high protein