Healthy Sandwich Ideas for National Bread Month and Beyond

Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by Ellen Christian

The kids and I eat a lot of sandwiches so I am always looking for healthy sandwich ideas.  We eat sandwiches almost every day for lunch.  Sometimes, on a busy night, we’ll even have sandwiches and soup for dinner because it’s a quick and easy meal idea.  

Healthy Sandwich Ideas

The kids would probably prefer peanut butter and jelly on white bread but I generally try to introduce whole grains and even some vegetables into their lunch.  A healthy sandwich is a great way to do that.

 The complex carbohydrates in bread and other grain-based foods provide lasting energy the human body needs on a daily basis. November is National Bread Month so what better time to share some of my favorite healthy sandwich ideas with you.

What is the most healthy sandwich?

So, healthy means something different to everyone. It’s one of those words like nice and good. If you’re looking for healthy sandwiches for weight loss, your choices may be different than if you’re looking for cheap healthy sandwiches.

Generally, a healthy sandwich will be on that’s low in fat, carbohydrates, and sodium. Bread that is higher in fiber will be lower in carbohydrates.  Avoiding deli meats is a great way to cut the sodium in your sandwich. And, choosing mustard instead of mayonnaise will help cut the fat.  Consider an open-faced sandwich which will eliminate one piece of bread.

Healthy sandwich ideas for school

If you’re looking for healthy sandwich ideas for school, start with whole grains. They are a great source of fiber and heart healthy. Sandwiches are a great place to add veggies so consider adding lettuce, tomato, bean sprouts, and avocado slices.

• Pita Pockets with Roasted Veggies and Hummus from Happy Kitchen
• Egg and Cress Sandwich by Greedy Gourmet
• Cucumber and Avocado Sandwich by Good Life Eats

Cheap healthy sandwiches

Budget constraints are one thing that makes eating healthy a challenge. If you’re operating on a tight budget, remember that you can go lighter on the meat and cheese than on the vegetables. Veggies are cheaper than deli meats and cheese.

• Herbed cheese, spinach and tomato sandwich
• Zesty Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich by Moon and Spoon and Yum
• Chicken Ceasar Wraps by Beyond the Chicken Coop
• Tofu Eggless Salad Sandwiches by Plant Based Cooking

Are homemade sandwiches healthy?

It all depends on what you put on your homemade sandwich. If you choose a whole grain bread and add fillings that are low in sodium and heart healthy, there is no reason you can’t have one of these healthy sandwich ideas for lunch. Skip deli meats from the grocery store and instead, have egg salad, tuna salad or even mashed avocado.

This Avocado Toast with Veggies from Belly Rules the Mind is a wonderful choice. Or, if you’re trying to go low carb, try this Avocado on Toast with Bacon and Blue Cheese from Low Carb with Jennifer.

Heart-healthy sandwiches

Sandwiches that are low in sodium and fat and high in whole grains are considered to be heart healthy sandwich ideas. There really are quite a few of them. But, the trick is to avoid the deli meats which are high in sodium. Why not try a few of these.

• Crab Salad Lettuce Cups by Tasting Page (bread and mayo free)
• Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich by The Roasted Root
• Vegan Rainbow Vegetable Tortilla Wrap by Recipes from a Pantry
• Roasted Vegetable Sandwich by Brooklyn Farm Girl

What should I serve with this?

A sandwich is generally considered a complete meal because you have bread, protein, and vegetables. You can have a cup of tomato soup on a cold winter day. Or, you can enjoy fruit salad during the summer. There are a lot of sides you can have with these healthy sandwich ideas. If you want a sandwich that is more of a meal, you can try a few of these:

• Grilled Tomato Mozzarella and Pesto Sandwich by Salt and Baker.
• Paleo Chik-Fil-A Sandwich by Recipe This
• Italian Stuffed Meatloaf Sandwich by Homemade Food Junkie

National Bread Month

November is National Bread Month but this year also marks the 250th year anniversary of the sandwich!  America’s love affair with the sandwich dates back to England in 1762 when Sir John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, didn’t want to put his cards down in the midst of a marathon game of poker, so requested his meat be served to him between two slices of bread. I hope you enjoy a few of these healthy sandwich ideas!

Ellen Christian

Ellen is a busy mom of a 22-year-old son and 27-year-old daughter. She owns 5 blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.