Healthy Lunch Meal Planning During Pregnancy

While there is some food that is not recommended during pregnancy, you can relax and indulge with this tasty treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (6 oz) crab meat, drained
• 2 tbsp light mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 1 tbsp chopped red onion
• 1 whole wheat deli roll

Mix all of the ingredients and serve atop the split whole wheat deli roll. For added nutrition, add a side of rinsed white beans combined with 2 tbsp red onion, 1 tsp olive oil and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

You may not be able to enjoy a margarita with it just yet, but this salad screams Southwest with flavor and color.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed
• 1/2 medium baked sweet potato, cubed
• 1/3 cup diced tomato
• 1/4 cup frozen corn, rinsed and thawed
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp chopped garlic
• salt, pepper and shredded cheese for garnish

Add all of the veggies to a large salad bowl and toss well. Combine lime juice, olive oil and garlic and drizzle over the salad. Toss once more. Garnish with salt, fresh cracked pepper and your favorite Mexican-blend cheese.

Who doesn’t love a good burger and a good pesto? When you combine the two, it’s a flavor-packed punch you can enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 veggie burger
• 1 thick yellow onion, sliced
• 1 portobello mushroom cap
• 2 tbsp prepared pesto
• 1 whole wheat bun
• 1 or 2 slices Swiss cheese

Cook the veggie burger according to package directions; layer the bun with onion, portobello, Swiss cheese and pesto. Serve with your favorite carrot and celery sticks for a restaurant-worthy meal.

When choosing to eat out, picking healthful and nourishing foods can be difficult. Panera Bread has stepped up to offer some great options for healthy lunches. Consider ordering a Napa almond chicken sandwich on wheat with a strawberry poppy seed chicken salad on the side. Are you still hungry? Add half an apple for extra fiber and power-packed vitamins.

With a tangy dressing and tons of crunch, this salad is as satisfying as it is nutritious and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked
• 1 chopped red pepper
• 1 large shredded carrot
• 6 green onions, sliced
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts

Dressing:

• 3 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

Prep all of the ingredients and combine in a large salad bowl. Toss them to combine. Whisk all of the dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad; toss to combine. Serve chilled with fresh fruit on the side.

There is never a bad time for avocados—their nutritious value is only surpassed by its delicious flavor and creamy texture, which are wonderful additions to this savory and filling wrap.

Ingredients:

• 2 whole-wheat tortillas
• 1/2 cup fresh arugula
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 1 sliced tomato
• 1 sliced and pitted avocado
• basil
• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• salt and freshly ground pepper

Layer slices of tomato, mozzarella and avocado on the tortillas and top with fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. You may choose to add fresh arugula into the wrap or serve it on the side as a delicious salad.