Updated

There's something about the start of a new season that make us want to clean our desk, empty our inbox and get a fresh start.  For some, this might mean abandoning unhealthy and expensive lunch habits at work.  If this is a goal of yours, below are five quick and healthy lunch options that you can bring with you to the office.

Greek Yogurt. This versatile food is a great option for lunch.  It is low in fat, high in calcium and also extremely high in protein.  Avoid premixed varieties and buy plain yogurt and add your own favorite accompaniments, such as fruit or nuts.  Pair your yogurt with a piece of whole grain bread and you have a balanced lunch that is rich in protein and fiber and will keep you satisfied for the rest of the afternoon.

Last night’s salad. With all the prepping and chopping involved, salads can sometimes be tedious to prepare.   To simplify things, make an extra large salad at dinner and before you dress it, portion out some for lunch the following day.  Throw on your favorite lean protein such as leftover grilled chicken, turkey, low fat cheese or any type of bean and you have a healthy, satisfying salad that might have otherwise cost you $7–$10 at your usual lunch place.  Keep a bottle of your favorite low-fat salad dressing (or olive oil and vinegar) at the office and dress it at lunchtime to prevent it from getting soggy.

Soup. If you prefer hot lunches and have access to a microwave at work, soup is another great item you can prepare ahead of time to parcel out portions for different meals over a week.  Look for recipes that have lots of vegetables as well as a lean protein source which will provide you with the energy you need to keep going all afternoon.  Pair your soup with a piece of multigrain bread or brown rice for some added fiber.

Turkey Wraps. Turkey is probably already one of your staple lunch items.  But if you replace your usual bread with a multigrain wrap, spread it with a low fat condiment like honey mustard, and fold in some vegetables you might not normally put on your sandwich, your sandwich has taken on a whole new life!

Nut butter. These days, there are so many great varieties of heart healthy nut butters on the market, so you don’t have to let yourself get bored of the standard peanut butter sandwich.  Be adventurous and try almond butter or cashew butter and spread it on one of your favorite multigrain breads.  Save calories by not adding jelly, and instead have a piece of whole fruit on the side.