2 Quick Lunch Recipes to Get You Through the Work Week

Brown Butter Salmon with Tomatoes & Capers

Salmon is chockfull of omega-3 fatty acids that keep your heart healthy and your inflammation at bay. This flavorful recipe enlists brown butter and tender tomatoes to complete every bite! (via Dinner for Everyone by Mark Bittman for Brit + Co)

Citrusy Chickpea Shakshuka

Shakshuka is super easy and makes a great anti-inflammatory lunch or brunch option! This particular recipe earns an extra protein boost from chickpeas so you'll be satisfied. (via Rebecca Firsker and Heyday Beans for Brit + Co)

Layered Berry Ombré Smoothie

Berries are high in antioxidants that can soothe inflammation. This beautiful smoothie trick includes three types of 'em, not only for flavor, but for the added anti-inflammatory benefits, too. (via Brit + Co)

Butternut Squash & Spinach Casserole

Leafy greens like kale and spinach are loaded with substantial vitamins and minerals that keep you feeling your best. This vegan casserole is one of our go-to anti-inflammatory lunch ideas, because cooking it once leaves you with plenty of leftovers to much on throughout the week. (via Farmacy Kitchen Cookbook by Camilla Fayed for Brit + Co)

Vegan Portuguese Kale Soup

Warm and oh-so cozy, this vegan soup makes a wonderful addition to your meal rotation when it's chilly out. (via Brit + Co)

Creamy Thai Turmeric Chicken & Noodles

Turmeric is a notable anti-inflammatory ingredient that you should be cooking with! These noodle bowls bring on Thai-inspired flavors in the best way, delivering lots of nutrients all the while. (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)

Raw Coconut Cheesecake Bites

For a little sweet treat to enjoy pre- or post-lunch (or as a midnight snack!), these cheesecake bites made with raw ingredients are downright delicious – and marked safe from inflammatory elements! (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Walnut Tacos

Walnuts are wonderfully high in healthy fats and antioxidants and help calm inflammation with ease. Instead of reserving a handful of them for a mid-day snack, why not try out these vegan tacos for lunch?! The walnuts turn nice and tender – and not to mention, flavorful as can be. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Tomato Confit

Tomatoes are secretly rich in an antioxidant called lycopene, so eating them on the reg is surely helpful if you're experiencing inflammation! With this confit recipe, they turn shelf-stable so you can spread 'em on toast or add them to pasta dishes with ease. (via Gladys Soriano of Forks & Foliage for Brit + Co)

Quinoa Kale Salad with Blueberries & Feta

Talk about nutritious! Get in all your green goodness with this easy kale salad that's complemented so well by the sweet blueberries and tangy feta crumbles. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Instant Pot Lentil Dal

The ginger and turmeric included in this Instant Pot dal recipe are an anti-inflammatory eater's dream since they provide a good amount of antioxidants to set you right. Comfort food central, we tell ya! (via A Virtual Vegan)

Spinach Apple Salad with Cheddar & Cranberries

Nothing hits harder like a yummy, crispy salad at lunchtime. Pack this one full of apples, spinach, cranberries, and more, and get ready to experience sheer mealtime magic! (via Averie Cooks)

Sesame Ginger Noodle Salad with Cashews

Fresh and so tasty, these noodles made with ginger and cashews will give you all the nutrients you're looking for in an anti-inflammatory lunch. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Coconut Rice Salmon Bowls with Mango Salsa

Get a taste of some island flavors with these coconut rice salmon bowls that are equal parts savory and sweet! (via Rachel Mansfield)

Hoisin Salmon with Zucchini Slaw

Salmon should be your go-to protein on an anti-inflammatory diet. This dish also packs in tons of veggies via the fresh zucchini slaw! (via Half Baked Harvest)

High-Protein Wraps From Brit + Co

Keto Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Whether you're chowing down on these wraps for a snack or a full meal, they'll hold a deliciously bright flavor that's super refreshing for a food break. (via Anna Monette Roberts forBrit + Co)

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

Originally developed by Chef Bai, these vegan lettuce wraps have all the ingredients you need to feel your best. (via Chef Bai for Brit + Co)

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Bulked up with plenty of flavorful chicken, these lettuce wraps are far from those lousy, low-protein recipes. (via Brit + Co)

High-Protein Wraps With Chicken

Greek Goddess Chicken Wraps

Roasted chicken, avocado, olives, cucumbers make this wrap an easy and delicious combo. Pair it with pita and go lighter on the carbs with lettuce. Either way, you'll find these will be your go-to lunch or dinner wrap year-round! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Buffalo Chicken + Avocado BLT Wrap

The secret ingredient here? Potato chips for extra crunch. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Your classic chicken teriyaki in a healthy lettuce wrap will keep your energy up, post-lunch. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Coconut Curry Wrap

These high-protein wraps host a flavorful kick of spices, perfectly paired with a little apple crunch. (via Whole Foods)

Mexican Chicken Quinoa Salad Wraps

Quinoa + beans + chicken = the high-protein trifecta. You won't find yourself reaching for a snack a few hours later, because this Mexican wrap will fill you up – and then some. (viaSpices in my DNA)

Greek Grilled Chicken + Hummus Wrap

This wrap is everything you love from your go-to Greek lunch spot. Did someone say CAVA dupe?! You have tons of veggies and olives, tangy feta cheese and chicken and hummus (both of which are full of protein) in these high-protein wraps. (via Cooking Classy)

Grilled Lemon Chicken Flatbread Wraps with Spicy Garlic Sauce

Take your leftover grilled chicken from dinner the night before, squeeze a lil' lemon on it, and whip up this wrap for lunch. Just add the homemade spicy garlic sauce to these high-protein wraps, and you have a whole new meal in your hands! (via The Cozy Apron)

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wraps

Take your lunch outside and enjoy it in the sunshine for once! When you get back to work after lunch, you’ll be reenergized from your Hawaiian-influences high-protein wraps, and your 30 minutes of vitamin D. (via Tastes Better From Scratch)

Grilled Chicken Naan Wraps with Roasted Red Pepper Tahini Sauce

Playing around with different high-protein wraps is a fun way to switch up your mealtime routine. This grilled chicken wrap is housed in Indian naan bread and drizzled with a nutty red pepper tahini sauce. Dreamy! (via Tara’s Multicultural Table)

Chicken, Spinach & Cream Cheese Tortilla Wrap

You’ll feel like Popeye when you eat this chicken spinach wrap for lunch! Not only are these high-protein wraps filled with fresh spinach, they're also all wrapped up in a yummy spinach tortilla. (via Tried and Tasty)

California Chicken Club Wrap

Turn your favorite sandwich order into a portable feast! These chicken club high-protein wraps have a double-dose of protein from the bacon and chicken, and will keep you full until your work day is over. The recipe even incorporates fruit for a varied taste and texture. (viaTaste & Tell)

Grilled Chicken + Broccoli Wraps

Tender chicken and broccoli are seasoned to perfection with a cheesy filling in these high-protein wraps. This recipe is the best mix of delicious and healthy! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Chicken Caesar Wrap

You’re going to love this Caesar salad-inspired wrap. It has strips of tender chicken breast and a zesty homemade Caesar dressing made with protein-rich Greek yogurt. Get ready to make your salad-loving coworkers jeal-ous! (via Skinny Ms.)

BLT Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Upgrade your classic BLT with tender chicken chunks, creamy avocado oil mayo, red onion, fresh chives and avocado for a healthy and hearty lunch or dinner. Yum! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Waldorf Chicken Salad Wrap

Apples and walnuts gives these high-protein wraps a delightful crunch. The protein-packed chicken salad included can be made in a big batch at the start of the week for an easy and healthy meal prep option! (via Salt & Lavender)

Kale Chicken Caesar Wrap

This Chicken Caesar wrap is a lot healthier since it uses a lighter homemade Caesar dressing, chicken breast, multigrain wraps and kale (which is full of good nutrients). (via The Girl on Bloor)

High-Protein Wraps With Egg

Mediterranean Egg Wrap

This versatile wrap is perfect for breakfast or lunch, and will keep you satisfied through whatever the work day brings. Dress it up with veggies and cheese for added taste. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Keto Breakfast Egg Wrap

This low-carb wrap is stuffed with chicken sausage, avocado, and jalapeño cream cheese for a heavenly breakfast bite. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Keto Egg Roll Wrap

These warm wraps are inspired by your favorite egg rolls – yum! They're keto-friendly and especially high in protein, thanks to the eggs and meat. You'll want to eat one every single day. (via A Spicy Perspective)

High-Protein Wraps With Beef + Pork

Beef + Lamb Shawarma Wrap

This Lebanese street food makes for a perfect lemony, garlicky savory lunch. Marinated beef and Greek yogurt give this recipe a boost of protein! (viaForks & Foliage)

Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps

These spicy pork wraps are so easy to make and ready in less than 20 minutes. Here's your high protein, gluten-free dinner to add to your dinner rotation! (via Averie Cooks)

Carnitas Tacos Lettuce Wrap

Crunchy, juicy, and delicious taco flavors swarm every bite of this lettuce wrap. Choose to wrap in lettuce or a tortilla, depending on your mood. (via The Endless Meal)

Steak Lettuce Wrap

Prefer to keep it light with lettuce wraps? You'll never miss a thing with this savory, steak-centered recipe. (via The Endless Meal)

Cuban Press

Panini-fy this wrap for a warm protein-packed lunch! (via Mission Foods)

Loaded Philly Cheese Steak Wraps

A good Philly cheese steak can be hard to find. Skip the search and make your own version into a portable wrap that’s totally desk-appropriate. (via Maebells)

Healthy Ham Wrap

Customize these high-protein wraps with your favorite veggies (or just any ingredients you have lying around), and you can have a healthy lunch on the table in just 10 minutes! (via Salt & Lavender)

Black + Blue Steak Wraps

It doesn’t get much more protein-filled than a steak wrap! Your work buddies will be begging for a taste of this steakhouse-style lunch at the office. (via Emily Bites)

High-Protein Wraps With Seafood

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

These fresh and tasty Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are full of flavor with lime, garlic and cilantro, plus a little guac and salsa! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Tuna Wrap

Walnuts, raisins, and capers give these tuna high-protein wraps a sweet n' salty vibe. If you don’t like mayo, try using Greek yogurt as your tuna salad binder instead, for added protein. (via The Healthy Foodie)

Spicy Tuna Wraps

Give your usual tuna salad a little zest by adding a squirt of Sriracha to the mix! Spread it on a whole wheat tortilla with some fresh veggies and you’re good to go! You could also get fancy with your high-protein wraps and use rice paper rolls with this recipe. (via Goodie Godmother)

Hot Honey Salmon Wrap

Here's a hot tip: add hot honey-glazed salmon, avocado, and a creamy scallion slaw for an instant lunch upgrade! (via Whole And Heavenly Oven)

High-Protein Wraps With Veggies

Easy Black Bean Wrap

Making sure you have enough protein is important, especially if you're a vegan eater. Black beans are a great plant-based source of protein, and go perfectly in this lunchtime wrap. (via Veggie Primer)

Vegan Grilled Sweet Potato + Mint-Tahini Cauliflower Rice Wraps

These vegan wraps are a light and healthy lunch option that won’t put you in a total food coma for the afternoon. Prep them on Sunday, and you can have a healthy lunch every day of the week. (viaFood Faith Fitness)

Portobello Mushroom Gyro

Seasoned with Mediterranean spices, these high-protein wraps are satisfyingly drizzled with a creamy tzatziki saucethat brings the protein. (via Live Eat Learn)

Green Goddess Wrap

Mashed avocado, arugula, purple cabbage, edamame, and zucchini all wrapped in a warm wholegrain wrap will treat your body so good. (viaTwo Spoons)

Hummus Veggie Wrap

Homemade spicy hummus serves as the main protein source for this vegetarian lunch wrap. It’s packed with cucumbers, tomatoes, sprouts, spinach and avocado. Even though there’s no meat, you’ll be full and focused for the rest of the work day! (via Foodiecrush)

Ultimate Veggie Wrap

With herbed cream cheese and Havarti cheese, this fresh veggie wrap is anything but boring. (via Culinary Hill)

Vegan Tofu Wrap

Vegan Caesar dressing, flour tortillas, baked tofu, and pico de gallo make for some easy and flavorful high-protein wraps in you're eating plant-based. (via Cilantro & Parsley)

Vegan BBQ Tempeh Coleslaw Wrap

Even meat-eaters will be drawn to this easy, healthy, and plant-based wrap recipe. The coleslaw is wrapped up inside these high-protein wraps, so all you need is a side of sweet potato wedges to complete your meal. (via Veggie Primer)

Chard Sandwich Wrap

Filled with a chickpea tuna salad, these high-protein wraps provide a crunchier and more filling alternative to butter lettuce. (via Live Eat Learn)

Spinach And Feta Wrap

Inspired by the Starbucks spinach feta wrap, this version is packed with protein and veggies for the ultimate grab-and-go breakfast or lunch. (via Rachel Mansfield)

As a bonus, we're throwing in one of our favorite easy and healthy wrap recipes that pushed all the right buttons on flavor. You'll combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, herbs, lettuce, and a little cheddar cheese, fold them up in wraps, then pan-fry until warm and crispy!

These easy wraps, made by Half Baked Harvest, come together in mere minutes. They're crunchy on the outside, cheesy on the inside. Serve with the deliciously creamy jalapeño lime ranch and additional buffalo sauce! These healthy wraps are great for both lunch and dinner, but equally fun for a game night, too!

First things first: start with the buffalo chicken. Shred up a couple of chicken breasts and toss them with homemade buffalo sauce, Greek yogurt (for creaminess), and fresh herbs. Most buffalo chicken fillings are made with cream cheese, but you can swap in yogurt for a healthier choice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 4 large (burrito size) whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas
• 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 1-2 jalapeños or poblano peppers, chopped
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• Olive oil, for cooking

Ingredients for jalapeño ranch:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños chopped + 2 tablespoons brine
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• One-quarter of buffalo chicken
• Another quarter wrap of greens n' things
• A quarter full of ranch
• And finally a quarter full of cheese
• Fold it all up into one triangle

1. Worn-Out Soles

One of the clearest indicators it's time to replace your footwear is worn-out soles. Take a look at the tread: is it smooth or uneven? If so, your shoes are no longer offering the same level of grip and stability as they did in the past.

The lack of traction can lead to discomfort with each step and slips, especially if you're walking over wet or slick surfaces. That's why any bald spots suggest they're no longer providing the support and safety you need.

2. Heel Breakdown

Since we naturally walk with heel-to-toe strides, the heel tends to be the first part of a shoe that shows signs of wear. With every single step you take, your heel absorbs a significant amount of your body weight and gradually breaks down the material.

Some wear is completely normal, but it becomes a problem when the heel starts to lose its shape or, again, the tread pattern is too worn. A broken-down heel isn't giving you any cushioning or support, so replacing your old pair is smart to prevent discomfort or potential foot problems.

3. Uneven Wear Pattern

Now, after taking a closer look at your footwear, you might notice the inside or outside of your sole is wearing down faster than the center. This may be due to walking pattern imbalances.

For instance, if your ankle rolls inward, it's known as pronation; meanwhile, rolling outwards is supination. Usually caused by muscle weakness, these imbalances put uneven pressure on your shoes, meaning one side of the sole wears out faster than the other.

Uneven wear is a sign you're no longer receiving balanced support and need to invest in a new pair of kicks.

4. Squeaking

If your shoes were silent when you got them, then randomly started squeaking or creaking, that's an indicator that the internal structure or sole is breaking down.

These sounds typically happen when the materials inside the shoe no longer fit together properly, or the cushioning has deteriorated. Apart from the sound just being annoying, persistent squeaking suggests you probably need a replacement.

5. Odors

We put our shoes through the ringer on a daily basis. Not only do they encounter outside elements like mud, rain, and snow, but they also deal with our own sweat inside. If your footwear has lingering odors that don't go away even after cleaning, it's a red flag that they've simply absorbed too much moisture or bacteria.

Shoes can trap sweat, dirt, and moisture, creating an environment that's perfect for bacteria to thrive. And after a while, odor-fighting products might not even work against stubborn smells. Take that as your sign to find a new pair.

6. Decreased Athletic Performance

When it specifically comes to athletic shoes, you'll notice a drop in performance. Your sneakers might've once been bouncy and very cushioned, giving you a literal spring in your step.

Then, over time, you may notice that they start to feel flat or less responsive. The energy return decreases, and you no longer feel the same level of comfort from the cushioning. This means your sneakers are no longer suited for high-impact activities, and replacing them is crucial to preventing any possible injuries.

7. Workouts Are Painful

Have you ever experienced a sharp stabbing pain in your arch or heel while exercising? Your shoes' lack of support is probably the culprit.

This type of pain is usually associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis, which can be exacerbated by worn-out footwear. For your next pair, make sure you pick out shoes with proper arch support and cushioning for a pain-free workout.

8. You've Hit Your Mileage Limit

Lastly, it's important to track how much wear your shoes have experienced, even if they still feel comfortable. That's because most walking shoes are designed to last around 500 miles, which equates to about six months of use (depending on how active you are).

If you haven't been keeping track of your mileage, that's okay. This metric is roughly equivalent to walking about 30 minutes a day or three to four hours per week. If this sounds like your routine, you can aim to get new shoes every six months for the best support and comfort.