If you’re dealing with lupus symptoms like fatigue, a quick lunch with lupus-friendly ingredients can save you time and energy when you need a healthy meal to get you through the day.

Even with a simple lunch, it’s important to know which foods to eat and which to avoid to help you manage lupus symptoms and avoid flare-ups. For example, one diet tip for lupus nephritis is to choose low-sodium foods. Garlic and alfalfa sprouts are among the ingredients you should avoid.

Try one of these three quick lunch recipes for lupus when you need something fast and nutritious.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Avocado Toast

Topped with berries and cheese, this avocado toast recipe from Lupus Research Alliance is not your average avocado toast. The berries add a punch of fresh flavor but also provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, which may reduce some lupus symptoms. Avocado supplies healthy fats, and bread provides whole grains, both of which are recommended by the Lupus Foundation of America as part of a healthy diet. This tasty and nutritious vegetarian lunch option is about as quick and easy as it gets.

2. Gluten-Free Pasta Salad

Simple and tangy, this gluten-free pasta salad recipe from Lupus Research Alliance uses a couple of shortcuts to make this lunchtime classic in a flash. With bean or legume-based pasta choices like penne made from chickpeas or lentils, you can get some of the fiber you need while avoiding gluten. If gluten isn’t a problem for you, you can use regular pasta, such as whole-grain pasta. The recipe’s olive oil adds healthy fats and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Healthy Chicken Salad

This flavorful chicken salad from the Arthritis Foundation comes together fast. This recipe is a healthy take on the classic lunchtime favorite, giving you the hallmark flavors but less sodium, plus better-for-you fats.

Although this recipe is targeted to people with arthritis, the combination of fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats makes it a good choice for people with lupus. Plus, the nuts supply omega-3 fatty acids and the grapes also provide nutrients with anti-inflammatory benefits. Using precooked or leftover chicken breast saves prep time. Serve this chicken salad on top of lettuce or spread on whole-wheat or gluten-free bread.

Nutritious Lunches Can Be Simple

With a few key ingredients, lupus-friendly lunches can be simple to put together. These three recipes combine anti-inflammatory ingredients and nutritious foods like whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fruits and veggies, all of which are part of a balanced diet for lupus.

Try these recipes and get creative with variations so that you always have healthy, quick lunch options to keep your body fueled with the nutrition it needs.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, more than 229,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lupus.

Do you have a favorite quick lunch? Which lunch foods work best for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.