Whether you’re a Work-at-Home Mom or one works outside the home, there’s no excuse for hitting the drive-thru after reading this.

Here are some great ideas to pack your lunch without packing on the pounds.

1) Sick of Salad? Try this twist: 4 cups of mixed greens or baby spinach, 4 sliced strawberries, 3 sliced mushrooms, about an ounce of crumbled feta cheese, a tablespoon of chopped walnuts or pecans (I prefer pecans - they stay crunchier) and 2 tablespoons of light raspberry vinaigrette. Add the dressing right before you eat. Add a fat-free, sugar-free yogurt on the side and you’ve got the making of a lunch that will keep you fueled through the afternoon grumbles.

2) Substitute a Spicy Tuna Wrap instead of the boring tuna sandwich. It’s the same amount of time to make in the morning (or the night before): 1 can of tuna, 1/4 cup chopped sweet onion or chopped celery, 1 tablespoon of fat-free mayo, 1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper. Mix and pile on to a baby spinach-lined whole wheat wrap. Don’t be shy with the baby spinach either! Alternately, use a red bell pepper, cut in half as a ‘bowl’ instead of the wrap.

3) Southwest Couscous Grill - this one is better to make the night before. Technically you can make it for the whole family for dinner and take the leftovers for lunch (my husband does this a lot as he really hates fast-food): Sprinkle 3 whole tomatoes, red onion slices (2) & a cob of sweet corn with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper to your liking and grill them. Remove from grill and let cool. Cook couscous as directed while grilling. Peel tomatoes and discard the skins. Chop tomatoes and onions and remove corn from cob. Transfer the couscous to a medium bowl and toss with veggies, lime juice, cilantro, olive oil and finely chopped garlic. You’ll need to increase the quantities of all ingredients should you decide to feed your family with this though - this is only 2 servings.

4) Take an omelette to work! Separate 4 eggs so you’re using only the whites. Mix with fresh herbs to your liking and set the mixture in a medium saucepan. Cook for about 5 minutes and add feta or goat cheese (about 1/4 cup). Fold the egg in half and cook through. Put it in a microwave-safe container but don’t cover it until 5-10 minutes later. At work, heat and serve.

5) Pack some fruit & veggies into your traditional chicken salad: Toss 4 skinless, boneless, chopped chicken breasts, 1 diced apple, 1 chopped small red onion, 1/2 cup sliced green grapes, 1/2 cup toasted and chopped pecans, 1/3 cup diced celery with your favorite fat-free dressing or make your own. Just last night my 9 year old whipped up a salad dressing in the food processor with herbs from the garden (cilantro, thyme, chives), olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon. He’s been watching Jamie Oliver!

What are some of your favorite healthy lunches for home or work? Please share them!