19 Easy 3-Step Lunches for Lower Cholesterol

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Photo: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster A tasty meal will be ready to devour in just three steps or less with these delicious lunch recipes! All of these dishes help support healthy cholesterol levels , since they are lower in saturated fat and […]

Click here to view original web page at www.eatingwell.com


a recipe photo of the Kale and Chickpea Grain Bowl w Avocado Dressing
Photo: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

A tasty meal will be ready to devour in just three steps or less with these delicious lunch recipes! All of these dishes help support healthy cholesterol levels, since they are lower in saturated fat and have at least 6 grams of fiber per serving. From warm soups to hearty salads to veggie-packed wraps, you’ll find options that will satisfy everyone. Choices like our ​​Kale & Chickpea Grain Bowls and Chicken Orzo Soup are delicious and simple recipes that are perfect for a midday meal.

01 of 19

Eat-the-Rainbow Vegetable Soup

Side view photo of 3 jars of Anti-Inflammatory Eat-the-Rainbow soup after broth is added with lid on top.
Side view photo of 3 jars of Anti-Inflammatory Eat-the-Rainbow soup after broth is added with lid on top.

This vibrant and wholesome soup recipe helps support your well-being. It’s packed with a variety of colorful vegetables, like tomatoes, which contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help reduce inflammation.

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02 of 19

​​Kale & Chickpea Grain Bowls

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This veggie-heavy bowl is loaded with crunch and color, thanks to crispy carrots and chickpeas, fresh kale and a vibrant avocado dressing. It also delivers more than 50% of your daily dose of fiber, key for weight loss, energy and healthy digestion. Bulgur, also called cracked wheat, is a quick-cooking whole grain.

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03 of 19

Orange-Mint Freekeh Salad with Lima Beans

Jacob Fox

This salad is loaded with colorful produce: fresh mint, snap peas, radishes and oranges. For pretty snap pea slices, cut them into long, thin strips.

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04 of 19

Chicken Orzo Soup

Photography / Jennifer Causey, Styling / Melissa Gray / Kay Clarke

This quick chicken orzo soup has warm, comforting flavors from the perfect combination of broth, chicken and vegetables. The orzo makes it filling without weighing it down.

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05 of 19

Green Goddess Wrap

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

A soft and silky green goddess dressing blends with crunchy fresh cucumber and tender greens in this easy wrap. If you prefer, you can ditch the wrap and enjoy the filling as a salad instead.

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06 of 19

Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing

Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing

This healthy vegetarian salad recipe features chickpeas and quinoa for a boost of protein. Cilantro adds color and flavor when blended to make a creamy dressing. Serve this cold salad for lunch or dinner.

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07 of 19

Waldorf Salad with Chicken & Rutabaga

Leigh Beisch

A cross between turnip and cabbage, rutabagas have purple-tinged yellow skin and yellow, slightly sweet flesh. Adding this veg along with chicken to this classic side transforms it into a hearty dinner salad.

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08 of 19

Red Lentil Soup with Saffron

Jacob Fox

This hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.

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09 of 19

Fish Tacos with Preserved Grapefruit Salsa

Leigh Beisch

Tart preserved grapefruit and fresh grapefruit segments combine with avocado to make a complex salsa that pairs nicely with fish.

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10 of 19

Chopped Salad with Chicken & Avocado-Buttermilk Dressing

This herb-loaded green goddess-inspired dressing gets a color boost from creamy avocado. Make a double batch of this healthy salad dressing to keep on hand for salads throughout the week.

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11 of 19

Chickpea Soup

Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Styling: Ruth Blackburn

This chickpea soup gets a punch of heat from crushed red pepper as well as cayenne pepper in the Italian seasoning blend. If you want to scale back on the spice, consider omitting the crushed red pepper entirely. Serve with crusty bread.

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12 of 19

Chickpea & Tomato Balsamic Salad

Andrea Mathis, M.A., R.D.N., L.D.

This easy tomato salad recipe gets a satisfying upgrade from chickpeas, which deliver both protein and fiber. The chickpeas quickly turn this simple side into a healthy lunch or dinner, perfect any time of the year. This delicious salad takes just 10 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits, so plan to leave at least an hour of marinating time before serving.

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13 of 19

English Muffin Pizza with Tomato & Olives

Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh

This pizza-inspired English muffin topped with tomato, cheese, olives and oregano does triple duty—it's great as a snack or as part of a delicious breakfast or lunch.

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14 of 19

Vegan Cabbage Soup

This vegan soup recipe is surprisingly easy to make. The flavorful broth is spiked with garlic, tomatoes and a hint of coriander. Just slice and dice your cabbage and fennel and you'll be enjoying this quick healthy soup in no time.

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15 of 19

Butternut Squash, Tomato, Chard & Chickpea Soup

This vegan soup recipe is chock-full of colorful vegetables. All those veggies give this soup plenty of fiber, upping the satisfaction factor while keeping calories low—a combination that can aid in weight loss over time. Vibrant turmeric adds a golden color to the flavorful broth, while cumin and ginger give it a bright, fresh finish. And the best part? This healthy soup recipe takes only 20 minutes, start to finish!

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16 of 19

Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu & Peanut Dressing

Prep four days' worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four easy ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, including a veggie-heavy salad mix as a base. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry. If you can't find a hearty mix, go with broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts.

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17 of 19

Southwestern Sweet Potato Stew

This hearty Southwestern-inspired stew may take a while in your slow cooker, but it's so worth it! Full of sweet potatoes, black beans and hominy, it will satisfy your taste buds and keep you full for hours.

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18 of 19

Jackfruit Sloppy Joes

Meaty jackfruit makes these vegan sloppy Joes rich and filling. Jackfruit, a starchy tropical fruit, is mildly nutty and sweet, a blank canvas for a warm and spicy sauce like the one for this quick meat-free sandwich.

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19 of 19

Zucchini Noodle Bowls with Chicken Sausage & Pesto

Cut down on prep time for this meal-prep zoodle recipe by using premade zucchini noodles from the produce section. Canned beans and precooked chicken sausage heat in about 5 minutes and add protein, while store-bought refrigerated pesto serves as a fast and flavorful topping.

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