Light Lunch Doesn't Have To Be Salads, Here Are Some Wholesome Options

From light Indian lunch ideas to simple and nutritious options, find the perfect light food for a balanced midday meal.

Published On Sep 19, 2024 | Updated On Sep 19, 2024

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Finding the perfect balance between satisfying yet light lunch options can be a game-changer for your day. Whether you're at home or need a quick meal for the office, these light lunch recipes offer a refreshing variety of flavours while keeping things healthy and easy. Perfect for busy days or lunchbox ideas these options will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the rest of your day!  Light meals for lunch are essential for maintaining energy throughout the day while avoiding the sluggishness that heavier meals can bring

Whether you're looking for quick recipes or healthy options, this collection offers a range of ideas, including light lunch ideas Indian that are both flavorful and nutritious. Enjoy meals that are easy to prepare, perfect for busy lifestyles, and satisfying enough to keep you going!

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Enjoy healthy and low-oil stuffed jowar parantha/roti the best light food for lunch and enrich nourishing benefits! While anything with veggies is a step on the healthier side, having them in jowar parantha just elevates the game instantly. While our suggestion is to make it with jowar, but in case you prefer any other variety, this is a dish that you make with any type of millet. In a mixing bowl, combine Jowar flour and wheat flour 1 cup and 1/2 cup respectively, gradually add water and need into a soft door cover and set it aside. To prepare the feeling in about mix your favourite vegetables like onion, broccoli, radish, or cabbage, add green chilli, grated ginger and garlic paste and salt. You can also add dried mango powder, carrom seeds,  turmeric powder, kitchen king masala, and chopped coriander leaves as well. Divide the dough into equal-sized balls, roll each ball into a small disc, then place the fill in the centre and fold the edges to roll out the stuffed dough into a flat, round parantha. To cook the paratha, heat a nonstick tava or a griddle and cook it on both sides until golden brown once, the parantha is cooked well, serve it with yoghurt or mint chutney.

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One of the easy-breezy, nutritious and delicious light lunch options - sprouted black chana Chilla. Black chana is filled with a power pack of various nutrients. This is a good, easy take on the classic moong dal pesarattu or rawa chilla. Drain the soaked sprouted, black chana and blend it with water until smooth. In a bowl, mix the black chana batter with the salt, ginger-garlic paste, green chilli, turmeric powder, roasted cumin powder, kitchen king masala and carrom seeds. To cook your yummy chilla heat a nonstick pan and add a few drops of olive oil add a ladle full of batter onto the pan and spread it evenly to form a thin pancake. To enhance the taste, you can sprinkle some chopped onions and tomatoes on top of the chilla. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, then flip and cook, on the other side, serve the delicious Chilla with homemade yoghurt or ketchup.

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oats are one of the most fibrous healthy gluten-free light lunch ideas any day. Oats also help you get rid of constipation and protect against skin infections as well. If you’re driving for something a bowl full of spicy and healthiness, try these masala oats, which take only 10 to 15 minutes to prepare. Although masala oats are manufactured by many brands, and you can easily find your kind of flavour in any retail store, that is absolutely not a prerequisite. To make masala oats at home, in a pan, heat oil, and add cumin seeds, chopped onions, and green chilli. Sauté until onions are translucent. Now add your favourite vegetables, such as tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, and carrots, and let them saute for a few minutes until they start to tenderise and soften. You can spice it up as you want by adding red chilli powder, kitchen king masala, and salt mix well to coat the vegetables with the spices. Now add oats to the pan and mix well with all the vegetables. Pour in 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the oats are cooked and the mixture thickens. Finally, add lemon juice and stir well, adjust seasoning if necessary and serve it hot!

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Vegetable khichdi is one of the quickest and most filling light Indian lunch ideas. The best part is that it is one of those light Indian lunch ideas that is mother-approved no matter which state you're from. From the quick and spicy dal khichdi from Maharashtra to Andhra's keema khichdi, to even Rajasthani bajra khichdi, this is a dish that lets you experiment to your heart's content. It is also considered a soulful replacement for rice lovers. So, don't forget to add this recipe to your favourites list! 
To enjoy vegetable Khichdi wash and soak yellow moong dal and brown rice together. Remember that moong dal and rice should be soaked earlier for 2 to 3 hours, for proper digestion. Once the water is drained, heat the pressure cooker and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add cumin seeds, turmeric powder and chopped onions, add ginger-garlic paste and green chilli and saute it for about a minute. Add the mixed vegetables like tomato, carrot, green peas, and French beans, and saute it for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add rice, dal, salt and a cup of water. Give it a proper mix close the lid and let it cook on a medium flame for 3 to 4 whistles. Once the pressure is released naturally, open the lid and give it a gentle stir. Garnish it with freshly chopped coriander leaves and a tablespoon of ghee which is optional on top of it. serve it with homemade curd and salad.

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It is one of the staple light Indian lunch ideas around north India. Bajra roti is easy to digest and wholesome as well! Sadly for a long time, millets had been isolated when it came to mainstream food but with 2023 being observed as the year of millets, many of these traditional millet recipes saw a resurgence, and we are absolutely here for it. In a mixing bowl, combine the bajra flour (2/3 bowl) l and whole wheat flour(1/3 bowl). Gradually add water and knead to form a soft, smooth dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. To make the roti divide the dough into equal-sized balls and roll each ball into rounds using a rolling pin, dusting with flour as needed to prevent sticking. To cook the roti, heat a tawa or a griddle on medium heat place the rolled roti carefully on the hot tawa and let It cook until the bubbles start to form on the surface, then flip and cook it, on the other side. Continue cooking and flipping as needed until both sides are cooked and lightly rounded. Try this wholesome light food for lunch with any of your favourite vegetable dishes and curd.


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