These yummy lunches mean you can stay on plan without sacrificing flavour.
Looking for healthy lunches in Leeds that are as nutritious as they are delicious? We’ve got you covered. You can eat heart-healthy fish Hawaiian-style, munch on nutritious greens packed full of protein, or delve into an antioxidant and flavour-rich tagine. Whether you’re on a health kick or you just want more veggies in your diet, these 10 midday meals make keeping on track a breeze. Check them out!
Tarka Dhal at Bundobust
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In need of something comforting but healthy? Bundobust’s ever-popular tarka dhal ticks all the boxes. It’s good for you but it still packs in the flavour, and won’t leave you hungry for something else. This is a hearty bowl of protein-filled lentils, generously spiced with cumin, garlic and chilli, for a deep, fiery flavour that doubles as stress-relief. Dig in and you’ll find it comes with basmati rice, which contains all eight essential amino acids and is low in sodium. Winner!
Bundobust, 6 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5DQ.
California Bowl at House Of Fu
The California Bowl at House of Fu is one of the best healthy lunches Leeds has to offer. First off, it’s a riot of colour, which is always a good sign. It begins with seasoned sticky rice, on top of which you’ll find yummy nori-cured salmon and a generous helping of fresh tomato, avocado, cucumber and edamame. It’s finished with pickles, spring onion, shisho dressing and sesame seeds. Grab a side of the veggie-packed cucumber salad to really get your health kick going.
House of Fu, 15-19 The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PU.
Grilled Chicken Shish at Mr Mackerel
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Mr Mackerel offer some of the most delicious lunches in Leeds – so delicious you’ll actually forget it’s healthy. Their grilled shish chicken box incorporates the best of protein, vegetables and carbs, and is positively bursting with flavour. You get two skewers of juicy chargrilled chicken shish kebabs which are the star of the show, partnered with a delightfully fragrant blend of jalapeños, pickled red cabbage, tomatoes and lettuce. You’ll also find a mound of fluffy white rice on your plate, as well as a small lentil soup.
Mr Mackerel, Leeds Kirkgate Market, 34 George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY.
Revitalise Bowl at Banyan
The Revitalise Bowl at Banyan is healthy, balanced and nutritious, but also feels completely decadent. On top of a bed of quinoa sits perfectly crisp roast butternut squash alongside a mix of red and golden beets, avocado, tomato and roast pepper, topped with halloumi before – here’s where it gets interesting – the whole thing is drizzled with a yummy superfood dressing. Low carb, vitamin-rich and flavour-packed? Now that’s the kind of lunch everyone loves!
Banyan, The Old Post Office, 2 City Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2ES.
Super Green Pho at Pho
Want to feel smug in your healthiness without sacrificing flavour? The Super Green Pho is what you need. It’s absolutely bursting with beautiful Thai veggies, including leafy pak choi, crunchy green beans and tender water spinach (also known as morning glory). Thai basil, lime and thick rice noodles swimming in a delicious vegetable garlicky broth finish it off. You can even pack in some extra protein goodness with tofu, mushrooms, chicken, steak or egg.
Pho, Trinity Kitchen, 27 Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5ER.
Spicy Salmon and Avocado Rolls at Blue Sakura
High in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, sushi has so many health benefits – luckily for us, Blue Sakura makes it by the shedload. Their unique concept of Japanese-style tapas means you can eat as little or as much as you want, but their spicy salmon and avocado rolls alone are sure to hit the spot. The sushi is made uramaki style, filled with freshly cooked salmon, spicy mayo and avocado, before being topped with tempura scraps. Grab a side of the Blue Sakura salad and you have one of Leeds’ best healthy lunches.
Blue Sakura, 2-3 Merrion Way, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8BT.
Falafel Rice Box at I Am Doner
Tuck into the Falafel Rice Box from I Am Doner without a smidgen of guilt. Think golden chickpea fritters, tomatoes, red onion, grated carrot, pickled cabbage and roasted Mediterranean veg. It all sits atop nutty basmati rice, then gets doused in chilli sauce and vegan mayonnaise. You can customise it completely to your own taste, so if fiery hot sauce is for you, then have at it. Not only is this tasty, healthy and filling, but they also use eco-friendly packaging!
I am Doner, 14a Infirmary Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 2JP & 23 Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3AA.
Salad Bowl at Rola Wala
Rola Wala’s healthy Indian-style salad bowl is the perfect pick for a filling, low-cal lunch that will give you loads of energy to get through the day. Start with a bowl full of crunchy greens and load them up with your choice of Bengali spiced beef or smoky charred chicken tikka. Keeping it veggie? The delicious Keralan cauliflower adds yet more vitamins, while the red channa dhal brings in the complex carbs, bursting with spiced-to-perfection protein.
Rola Wala, Trinity Kitchen, Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5AY.
Poke Bowl at Neighbourhood
Dive into this Pacific-inspired poke bowl from Neighbourhood. It’s packed with 12 ingredients, ranging from ginger and pickled carrot, to pineapple and avocado. Every ingredient is arranged around the sushi rice centre, making this a feast for your eyes before it even gets to your tastebuds. Pick your protein – salmon, tuna, chicken or smoked tofu for the veggies. It’s a beautifully balanced dish, with heart-healthy fats, fibre, protein and vitamins all in attendance.
Neighbourhood, 5 Greek Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5RW.
Tunisian Salad at Sweet Saeeda
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Okay, so you want to keep your lunch healthy, but how about spicing it up a bit? At Sweet Saeeda in Leeds Kirkgate Market you can try authentic Tunisian cuisine, full of new tastes and flavours. They have all manner of tasty eats, but their Tunisian salad is a fan favourite. Olives, tomatoes and red onions come together to form the base of this delicious dish, and you can choose from chicken, halloumi, falafel or lamb for protein – it’s up to you. Topped off with hummus and tahini sauce, this is healthy lunch heaven.
Sweet Saeeda, Unit 411, Leeds Kirkgate Market, Row F, Hall 1981, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7JJ.
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