Welcome to Step 4 of our 13 Steps to Go Vegan program!
If you’ve made it this far, well done — you’re already learning how fun and tasty vegan food can be.
And if you’re not following the program? No problem! This step is still a great place to get inspired and add more plant-based meals to your week.
Your Challenge This Week
Try to eat at least three or four vegan lunches. Because of step two’s challenge, you’ve probably got lots of great resources you can now turn to if you get stuck for ideas. That’s it! No pressure — just a gentle nudge.
Why lunch? Because it’s an easy meal to tweak. You’re already eating lunch every day, so we’re simply making small swaps that fit your life.
You don’t need brand-new habits. You can start with what you already do.
How to Make Vegan Lunches Easy
1. Veganise What You Already Eat
This is the easiest place to begin.
- If you usually pack leftovers → pack vegan leftovers.
- If you meal prep → prep vegan meals.
- If you grab a salad at the deli → choose one you can make vegan.
Small, simple swaps. No big lifestyle overhaul required.
2. Choose a Lunch Box You Love
A good lunch container makes everything easier.
You don’t need anything fancy — even a leak-proof container works.
But if a cute bento box or stainless-steel lunch jar makes you excited about bringing lunch… go for it!
Just make sure:
- It fits in your bag
- It doesn’t leak
- It holds enough food for you
3. Keep Backup Lunches at Work
Life gets chaotic. Lunch shouldn’t.
Keep a few vegan backups at your desk or in the office kitchen:
- Instant noodles
- Canned soups
- Frozen burritos
- Shelf-stable meals
Label anything you leave in the shared fridge.
These backups save the day when mornings get wild.
4. Let Leftovers Do the Work
One of the easiest vegan lunches is simply… yesterday’s dinner.
A tip:
When you serve dinner, scoop leftovers directly into lunch containers.
By the time you’ve finished eating and cleaning, they’re cool enough for the fridge.
Future you will be thrilled.
5. Set a Reminder
If you’re new to bringing lunch from home, set a small alarm before you leave the house.
Or pop a sticky note on the door:
“Don’t forget your lunch!”
Simple, but it works.
6. Meal Prep Magic
If leftovers aren’t your thing, try weekend meal prep.
Even one hour of prep on Sunday can give you four days of beautiful vegan lunches.
Here are a few easy ideas:
Salads in a Jar
These are colourful, fun, and stay fresh for days.
Layer like this:
- Dressing – we love this Hearty Peanut Dressing.
- Firm veggies (carrots, cucumbers, beans)
- Grains or pasta
- Veggies
- Greens on top
Use a large jar so you can pack enough food.
Bring a bowl to pour it into — eating from a jar isn’t always fun!
Soups & Stews
Perfect for cold days or quick breaks.
You can freeze them in single portions.
In the morning, grab one and let it thaw a bit before microwaving at work.
Sandwich Kits
Instead of making your sandwich at home (and risking sogginess), pack:
- Bread
- A small container of fillings
- Fresh toppings
Assemble at lunchtime for a perfect sandwich every time.
Smoothies
A thick smoothie can be a full meal.
Add:
- Oats
- Peanut butter
- Chia seeds
- Banana
- Greens
Smoothies are easy to sip at your desk and make zero mess.
Homemade Instant Noodles in a Jar
Think ramen — but better.
Layer noodles, veggies, tofu, spices, and a flavour paste.
At lunch, add boiling water.
You’ll feel like you’re eating a cosy homemade meal.
A Little Story for Encouragement
The first time Brighde tried packing vegan lunches, she forgot them.
More than once.
Then she started packing leftovers right after dinner.
Problem solved.
Small habits stacked together become a deeply satisfying vegan journey.
And lunch is the perfect next step.
You’ve Got This
Trying vegan lunches is fun, simple, and a lovely way to explore new food.
And remember — you don’t need to be perfect.
You’re just experimenting, learning, and discovering what you enjoy.
When you’re ready, join us for Step 5: Make Sure You Have Snacks.
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Let’s Discuss!
Do you have a favourite vegan lunch idea?
Or a question about this week’s challenge?
Share it in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!
