20 Lunch Recipes That Are on the Macro Diet
The genius of the macro diet is that you don’t have to count calories or cut out entire food groups—as long as you’ve got a healthy balance of carbs, fat and protein, you’re in the clear. (Woohoo!) But…you still need to figure out what’s for lunch. Here are 20 easy recipes to inspire your midday meal, all of which are macro diet-approved.
RELATED: 18 Breakfast Recipes That Are on the Macro Diet
Green Bowl with Chicken, Citrus and Herbs
When lunch looks like this, you’ll completely forget those $15 salads of yore. It has protein to keep you full, plus plenty of za’atar for Mediterranean flavor.
Cauliflower and Plantain Tacos with Lemony Pesto Dressing
Our advice? Make the filling for this sweet and savory dish ahead of time and portion it out in the fridge. At lunchtime, all you’ll have to do is assemble.
Roasted Vegetable Bowls with Green Tahini
The secret behind that bright green sauce is a combination of cilantro, parsley and garlic. We’ll take an extra drizzle, please.
Sumac and Fennel Fattoush
What’s fattoush? Glad you asked. It’s basically a salad made with fried flatbread…or in this case, pita chips.
Zoodles with Avocado and Mango Sauce
Can you believe that you’re only 15 minutes away from a homemade (not to mention healthy) lunch? This one features an addictive avocado-mango sauce, so it’s a win-win.
Indian Salad Bowl with Crunchy Chickpeas
If you’ve never tried crispy, crunchy chickpeas, you’re in for a treat. They’re easy to whip up on the stove and add a dose of texture to this nutritious salad.
Spicy Beef Larb with Coconut Rice
Humble ground beef got a spicy, crispy upgrade courtesy of Coterie member Gaby Dalkin. We wouldn’t mind leftovers of this one.
Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower Bowls
You already had us at cauliflower—but the Ayurvedic-inspired spices and drizzle of tahini sauce just sealed the deal.
Shrimp Fajita Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing
The genius of this dressing is that it’s totally adaptable. Don’t like cilantro? Swap in basil. Dairy-free? Use olive oil instead of yogurt. The world is your oyster (er, shrimp).
Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken and Shredded Brussels Bowls
With no rice in sight, this is not your traditional Chinese takeout dish—but thanks to a ton of veggies, you won’t even miss it. Promise.
Healthy Fish Taco Bowls with Mango and Avocado Slaw
Instead of deep-frying or heavy breading, Coterie member Phoebe Lapine coats her fish in quinoa for a layer of crunch. Genius.
20-Minute Shrimp Scampi Zoodles
Just like the bright, buttery shrimp scampi you know and love…minus the heavy carbs and post-lunch food coma.
Sheet-Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage
Hands-off dinner? Check. Practically no cleanup? Check, check. Oh, and we should mention the meal-prep factor, too.
Sheet Pan Zucchini Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Curry Sauce
Whip up a batch of Coterie member Monique Volz’s meatballs on Sunday afternoon and reap the benefits of a satisfying lunch all week long. (Watch out for jealous coworkers, though.)
Clean-Eating Bibimbap Bowls
If you’ve reached your limit on quinoa and salad (hey, it happens), reach for this healthy take on a Korean classic. Even better, it’s gluten-free and vegan.
Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers
We finally have proof that chicken salad doesn’t have to be coated in mayonnaise (and that it tastes even better in a cute bell pepper boat).
One-Pot Cauliflower Dal Green Curry
This hearty dish is colorful, packed with veggies and surprisingly easy to make, plus, it tastes even better the next day.
Greek Lemon Chicken Bowls with Sizzled Mint Goddess Sauce
Find a better pair than spicy marinated chicken and creamy yogurt sauce. We’ll wait.
Cumin Roasted Chickpea Chicken Bowls
This dish has a lot going for it: It’s flavorful, protein-packed and comes together all on one sheet tray.
Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
We’re all about a portable lunch. Add a peanut butter dipping sauce and we’d gladly eat it every single day.
