These Keto Lunches for work or school are easy to make and perfect if you need low carb lunch ideas. Lots of tips, tricks and options for dairy free, nut free, no cooking, no heating or microwave needed!
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Are you heading back to school or work after summer vacation and wondering what are good keto lunches? Packing healthy lunches can be a challenge, especially if you’re just starting the keto diet. These easy Keto Lunch ideas are delicious, filling and full of healthy fats, proteins and vegetables.
Whether you’re following a low carb diet or not, these low carb lunch ideas are simple to make and easy to customize depending on what you like or have in your pantry or fridge.
Plus, we’ve included some options for dairy free, nut free and hot and cold keto lunch recipes.
HELPFUL TIPS WHEN PACKING KETO LUNCHES
PLAN AHEAD
Meal prep and batch cook your favorite protein such as chicken, turkey or beef.
Make a few keto meals in the instant pot ahead of time the night before to pack into your low carb lunches.
Portion off any dried snacks that keep well on Sundays for the rest of the week.
MIX IT UP
A few tricks whenever following a new lifestyle or weight loss meal plan:
- Keep it simple but also include a variety so you don’t get bored.
- Once you get into a regular routine, you can start to switch things up.
- Pair different low carb snacks, fruits, carbs and protein.
- Include some leftovers like keto chicken salad, lettuce wraps or keto pancakes
And if you’re looking for some convenient keto snacks you can buy, be sure to check out this Keto Pantry Shopping Guide link for some of our favorites.
KETO SNACKS:
KEEP THINGS FUN WITH SOME DIY “LUNCHABLES”
Put together some low carb dips and sauces to make things interesting.
Ranch, guacamole and salsa are great for adding flavor to vegetables and berries.
FOOD SAFETY
Many items will keep at room temperature but be aware of which will require an ice pack to stay cool. Also make sure that you are aware of any peanut or other food restrictions that the school might have in place. All of these lunches include real whole foods with minimal dairy plus options if you want to make any substitutions.
KEEP FOOD SEPARATE WITH A LUNCH BOX WITH DIVIDED COMPARTMENTS
Having a lunchbox with separate compartments and / or liners will help you remember to include all the components of a balanced meal.
Here are a few of my favorites:
PlanetBox – 5 Compartments
HOW TO PACK KETO LUNCHES
Tuna Salad – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, Whole30, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- tuna salad (1g Net Carbs per serving) – tuna mixed with Whole30 mayo + salt + pepper + chopped celery
- avocado slices + Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning, cherry tomatoes + sliced cucumbers + broccoli
- spiralized zucchini + marinara sauce
- pumpkin seeds + sunflower seeds + unsweetened organic coconut flakes
Smoked Salmon – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, keto, nut free, Whole30, dairy free, Paleo)
- guacamole (2g Net Carbs) + celery + cucumber + cherry tomatoes
- spiralized zucchini + smoked salmon + Applegate nitrate-free turkey pepperoni
- Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs + Everything Bagel Seasoning
Egg Muffins – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, keto)
- breakfast egg muffins
- zucchini + cherry tomatoes + cheese (leave out for Whole30 / dairy free option and add guacamole)
- olives + sun-dried tomatoes
- strawberries + blueberries
Turkey – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, keto + option for Whole30, dairy free, Paleo)
- Trader Joe’s nitrate free turkey slices
- cucumber, broccoli + cherry tomatoes
- strawberries + blueberries
- Optional: cheese
Zucchini Cakes – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, keto, nut free, dairy free, Paleo)
- Zucchini Cakes + spinach salad
- raspberries + coconut chips + dried blueberries
- celery sticks
Chicken Salad – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- chicken salad – cooked chicken mixed with Whole30 mayo + salt + pepper + chopped celery + sliced almonds + in Outer Aisle Cauliflower Sandwich Thins (paleo / keto)
- celery sticks + broccoli
- raspberries + pumpkin seeds + sunflower seeds + coconut chips
- almond butter OR sunbutter
Tuna Salad – (Nut free, low carb, sugar free, gluten free, Whole30, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- tuna salad – tuna mixed with Whole30 mayo + salt + pepper + chopped celery
- avocado slices + Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning, cherry tomatoes + sliced cucumbers + broccoli
- spiralized zucchini + marinara sauce
- pumpkin seeds + sunflower seeds + unsweetened organic coconut flakes
Turkey – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, Whole30, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- Trader Joe’s nitrate free turkey slices
- guacamole + celery + broccoli + Applegate Turkey Pepperoni + cherry tomatoes
- egg muffins
- pecans + macadamia nuts
Egg Muffins – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, Whole30, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- breakfast egg muffins
- Primal Kitchen ranch + celery + broccoli + cucumber + zucchini + cherry tomatoes
- olives + sun-dried tomatoes
- strawberries + blueberries
Vegetable + Guacamole – (Nut-free, low carb, sugar free, gluten free, Whole30, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- guacamole + celery + broccoli + cucumber + cherry tomatoes
- spiralized zucchini + smoked salmon
- hard-boiled eggs
Tuna Salad – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, Whole30, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- tuna salad – tuna mixed with Whole30 mayo + salt + pepper + chopped celery
- sliced cucumbers + cherry tomatoes
- raspberries + strawberries
- pumpkin seeds + sunflower seeds + freeze-dried blueberries + macadamia nuts + unsweetened organic coconut flakes
urkey – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, keto + option for Whole30, dairy free, Paleo)
- Trader Joe’s nitrate free turkey slices
- cucumber, broccoli + cherry tomatoes
- strawberries + blueberries
- cheese
Chicken Salad – (Low carb, sugar free, gluten free, keto, Paleo, dairy-free)
- chicken salad – cooked chicken mixed with Whole30 mayo + salt + pepper + chopped celery + sliced almonds + pecans + in Outer Aisle Cauliflower Sandwich Thins (paleo / keto)
- cucumber + cherry tomatoes
- raspberries + dried blueberries + shredded coconut
- almond butter OR sunbutter
More low carb recipes:
- Mains:
- Salads: Egg, tuna or chicken salad, turkey
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Ham or turkey
- Veggies:
- Cucumber zucchini with hummus or homemade ranch, salsa or guacamole
- Broccoli cauliflower, celery, cherry tomatoes
- Fruits:
- Berries
- Freeze-dried berries
- Snacks:
- Cheese
- Pumpkin Seeds or other seeds
- Raw Nuts check school policy or if there are any allergies
- Seed or Nut butter check school policy or if there are any allergies
- Include a variety of ingredients from each category and divide into lunchboxes.
leona -
Thanks! These are all such great ideas
Helen -
We just started keto last week and I’m loving these keto lunch ideas! Thank you!
Breanne -
These are such a great idea! love all these options!!