7 High protein vegan gluten-free lunch ideas

These 7 High protein, Vegan and Gluten-Free lunch ideas are easy to make, delicious and most importantly highly nutritious. Following a vegan diet, people often ask me where do I get my protein. There are so many great plant based protein options, including legumes, some vegetables, quinoa, buckwheat, tofu and so on. It takes time to adjust and learn all about the nutrition of foods, but the best way to learn is by seeing what works for you.
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​When it comes to lunch, Ayurveda recommends to make this the biggest, most substantial meal of the day. Lunch time is also recommended between 11am-1pm although midday is the best as this is when the sun is the strongest, as well as Pitta time meaning the agni (digestive fire) is also at its strongest. This makes it easier to digest and gives it enough time throughout the day.

If you are looking for some vegan lunch ideas inspiration that are high in protein and gluten free, here are 7 delicious bowls of goodness:

Black rice homemade Buddha Bowl

As an alternative to white rice, black rice is packed with antioxidants and a great source of fibre, protein and iron. I find it more tastier than the Basmati rice and slightly lighter to digest. Mixed with the good source of healthy fats from the avocado, hydrating qualities of cucumber, vitamins and minerals from the spinach and carrots, this is a complete nutritious and delicious lunch bowl.

Ingredients:
1 cup of cooked black rice
1 carrot (grated)
1/2 avocado
1 spring onion (diced)
1/2 tomato (diced)
1/2 cucumber (diced)
Small piece of fresh ginger grated
Oregano
Himalayan Salt
Olive oil

Chickpeas and greens salad

A delicious legume and a favourite for all hummus lover, chickpeas are super high in protein and iron. They are filling and always make a substantial meal. Be sure to soak them overnight. Adding ginger in the mix, known as the king of all spices in Ayurveda, will help with digestion. This is a detox greens salad with chickpeas, combining fresh greens for all their goodness with the high protein, tasty chickpeas.

Ingredients:
1 cup of cooked chickpeas
Green lettuce (choose as much as you enjoy)
1 celery stick diced
1/2 avocado
1/2 red onion diced
Small piece of fresh ginger (grated)
Himalayan salt
1/2 cucumber diced
Basil

Black beans creamy avocado bowl

Another tasty and highly nutritious legume, black beans contain loads of protein, iron and fibre. Spinach is also a great source of protein and antioxidants (it is better to cook it lightly if you have Vata or Kapha predominant dosha). Mash the avocado in a small bowl with 1/2 lime juice and small amount on Himalayan salt. Mix all the ingredients together with the avo mash which will give it a creamy, yet refreshing taste due from the lime. This is a amazing lunch bowl that will keep you going for the day and provide your body with vitamins and good energy.

Ingredients:
1 cup of black beans (cooked)
Handful of spinach (diced)
1/2 avocado (mashed with lime)
1/2 cucumber (diced)
1 spring onion (diced)
Olive oil
Himalayan salt
Oregano

Buckwheat comfort food bowl

One of my favourite plant seeds to create a substantial, filling meal (and a favourite for Kapha dosha also), buckwheat is almost like a superfood. It has high nutritional benefits such as high protein, fibre, iron, calcium, magnesium and many others. This food bowl is so comforting and delicious.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas
1 cup of cooked buckwheat
1 handful of rocket
Extra greens if you have
​Sundried tomatoes
1/2 red onion (diced)
Olive oil
Oregano

Red quinoa, avocado and greens

We know that quinoa comes with loads of nutritional benefits and it is quite light to digest compared to white rice. There is not much difference between the white and red quinoa. I love using both and the taste is almost the same. This simple yet tasty meal is super filling, healthy and with very few ingredients.

Ingredients:
1 cup of cooked red quinoa
1 avocado
1/2 cucumber (diced)
handful of spinach
​Olive oil

Steamed Broccoli and Avocado

Simple, quick to make and filled with nutritional value, the steamed broccoli and avocado combo makes for a satisfying lunch. Broccoli is high in protein and calcium and a super versatile food. Mixed with the nourishing qualities of avocado, this takes under 10 minutes to make, can be prepped and is super healthy. You can squeeze fresh lime juice on top and add basil and cilantro if you have any.

Mini cheesy Tortilla wraps

These mini cheesy tortilla and salad wraps are so tasty and feel quite light in the stomach. There are plenty of gluten-free style wraps available, the ones I used are from Old El Paso. You can choose any vegan cheese. I found a couple of amazing ones; one which tastes exactly like Parmesan and the other like Cheddar. Lightly toast the Tortilla wraps in the oven with the cheese on to until it melts. Then take them out and fill the wraps with your favourite greens, or as I did with lettuce and cucumber.