Healthy DIY Protein Bistro Box (2024)

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Protein bistro boxes are the perfect solution to lunch time meal prep, especially for those on the go! These boxes have solved so many problems for my family. They are literally perfect for on the go lunch (or breakfast), or even a post-workout protien snack!

And here’s how these lovely protein lunch boxes saved my busy life. I found myself in town with no wallet and a grumbling stomach. I still had some work to do and wasn’t quite ready to head back home when I found a Starbucks gift card. So, I ended up eating a Starbucks Bistro Box for lunch (along with a short coffee, of course.)

I was so impressed with my protein bistro box…healthy, fun, filling. I realized these protein lunch boxes would be the perfect solution for my husband’s lunches.

Protein Bistro Box = Solution to a Busy Schedule

My husband works in home health and often finds himself driving and trying to eat. A lot of times he will just not eat lunch (he does eat snacks) rather than stop and take time to eat. He needs food that he will enjoy cold or that can fit in a thermos. Unfortunately, a thermos of soup just isn’t the easiest thing to eat on the road. So, I decided to start making these protein bistro boxes for him.

And he loved them. I’ve been experimenting with all sorts of different ones since and wanted to share a few to of the tips and ideas to creating the perfect protein bistro box.

Healthy Protein Bistro Box Ideas – What to Include

The main point is to try to work in all 3 macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs) while also working in healthy fruits and veggies that will provide a variety of nutrients. For my husband, generally making them free of utensils is important as well, though he is okay if yogurt or cottage cheese is involved.

1. Choose a Protein

• Hard-boiled eggs (I like to fix them in my instant pot get my Instant Pot Boiled Eggs recipe now!)
• Cheese
• Hummus (to dip veggies, pita bread, or whole grain crackers)
• Greek Yogurt
• Cottage Cheese
• Nut Butters: Peanut Butter, Almond Butter
• Nuts and/or Seeds: Almonds, Cashews, Pumpkin Seeds, etc.
• Nitrate-free Deli Meat
• Chicken salad, tuna salad, my favorite avocado egg salad

2. Add Veggies

• Baby Carrots or Carrot Sticks
• Celery Sticks
• Cucumber Slices
• Grape Tomatoes
• Broccoli Florets
• Cauliflower
• Guacamole

3. Add Healthy Carbohydrates

Fruit:

• Apple Slices
• Grapes
• Orange slices
• Berries

Other Complex Carbs (Whole Grains):

• Whole Grain Pita Bread
• Whole Grain Crackers

Bistro Protein Box Tips:

• Mix and match any of the above ingredients (or other things you can dream up) into different boxes.
• You can keep with a theme for the week and still vary a few things. For example, in the boxes shown I stuck with hummus for dipping veggies and pita. Another week, I may go with guacamole or even greek yogurt ranch dip. This helps keeps your groceries to a minimum.
• Try to vary at least one thing from day to day. You can see in one box he has yogurt, in another cottage cheese, and in another PB & Honey.
• You can also make protein snack boxes using these same ideas! Just adjust the size or portions if needed.
• I love these glass meal prep containers which I got on Amazon:

Protein Boxes for Lunch:

My husband works 4 days/week so here are his boxes for this week:

1. Hard Boiled Eggs, Cheese, Fruit, Veggies with Hummus

2. Hard Boiled Eggs/Cheese, Veggies with Hummus, Cottage Cheese with Oranges Slices

3. Eggs, Veggies with Hummus, Greek Yogurt with Granola and Blueberries

4. PB & Honey (on pita) with Cheese, Fruit, Veggies with Hummus

Protein Bistro Boxes as Snacks

These protein bistro boxes also make great protein snack boxes as you can easily adjust the size however you need. If lunches are a time you struggle and you are looking for cold lunch ideas that don’t include a sandwich or a salad, a protein bistro box may be just what you need.

Get the Packable Protein Snack List Now!

If you are looking for some great grab and go snack ideas, be sure to register for my FREE resource library by filling out the form below. You’ll get access to my Protein On The Go printable as well as other cheat sheets and helpful resources.