5 healthy meals in a jar to take in the office

By Staff Reporter | Oct 21, 2015 | 07:30 AM EDT

Mason jars have become a trendy way to present and control your meal portions. Here are a few healthy recipes you can quickly make and take with you to work.

1.    Oven-baked egg and vegetable cups

These small packaged meals from Food in Jars are great for breakfast or when you are craving for a healthy snack at the office. The recipe calls for an onion, asparagus, eggs, cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.

If asparagus is not available, you can also use other vegetables that you like. Suggested alternatives include spinach, zucchini, kale, chard or even brussel sprouts.

Depending on the size of the containers, the recipe is enough to make up to seven portions. Make sure to grease the pans with butter to make them easier to clean.

2.    Overnight oats

The discovery of overnight oats has made mason jar meals more appealing, especially for people who are always on the go or love to leave things at the last minute. With oatmeal, you have a healthy fiber-rich breakfast option that's customizable to your preferences and taste, says Neon Tommy.

A Beautiful Mess has presented several options including mixing oats with coconut milk, blueberry jam and berries, oats with whole milk, banana slices and pecans, oats with milk, pumpkin puree, cinnamon and nutmeg and oats with coconut milk, mango and almonds. Take your pick.

3.    Great granola breakfast

Roots and Sprouts' recipe can get you hooked on granola fairly quickly. For a healthier granola, check out Generation Y Foodie's homemade recipe.

To make this energizing breakfast meal, you need some berries, Greek yogurt, homemade granola, bananas and chia seeds.

4.    Salad in a jar

Mason jars have also made salads more visually appealing and appetizing. The Muse has posted several recipes that you can try out.

Use these recipes as a guide to making your own salad concoctions. When making your own salad, there are two general rules to remember, says The Muse.

One is to pour the sauce or dressing first so it leaves the other ingredients dry until you are ready to eat. Next is to layer the other ingredients according to weight, placing the heavier meats and vegetables at the bottom and the leafy vegetables and herbs at the top.

As with the overnight oats, salads can be sealed in jars for a whole week. You can make a batch on Sunday and just get a jar before you head for work.

5.    Lazy lasagna

Enjoy pasta wherever go with Big Red Kitchen's version of lasagna. All you need to make this dish is wide egg noodles, ricotta cheese, an egg, parmesan, mozzarella, kosher salt and marinara sauce.

If you want more flavor and texture, you can also add some vegetables or ground meat to the mix.

Latest News