Photo: Niklas / Flickr

There are very few foods as convenient as pita bread. Preparing pita bread is as simple as slicing it and filling it with whatever yummy ingredients you have on hand. Pita is great as a packed lunch you can fill with nutritious goodies for yourself or your children, and it also makes a quick and easy summer meal – even a breakfast. For a really healthy option, choose wholewheat pita, and pack it with veggies that’ll count towards your five a day. Here’s some inspiration to get you started.

Breakfast pita

The best pita fillings have all the food groups in one. Try scrambling some eggs (if you want to cut down on fat, use two eggs and one egg white) with a few veggies – courgette and mushroom work really well because they cook quickly. Then add a little feta just before your eggs have set, and stir in. Pop the mixture into your pita bread for the breakfast of champions, giving you a meal packed with protein, and also containing carbohydrate, veggies and dairy.

The ultimate vegan pita

Whether you’re a vegan or you just try to limit your intake of animal products for your health or for the environment, this is the perfect pita bread filling. Blend chickpeas and add onion, lemon, garlic, salt and pepper. A little extra virgin olive oil will give you a good dose of healthy fat. Spread this homemade hummus on the inside of your pita pocket, and then add lettuce, tomato, bean sprouts and thinly sliced red pepper.

The deluxe pita

Photo: Ilja / Flickr

This pita recipe takes a little work, but it is well worth the effort. Pop into your deli or supermarket for some rotisserie chicken, and pick up some cream cheese, fresh mint and feta while you’re at it. You’ll also need cucumber, yellow peppers, tomato, and spinach. Slice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, and cut the yellow peppers into strips.

Now gently sauté the spinach until tender before stirring in the feta cheese and letting it melt. Mix the yellow pepper and tomato together in a bowl with a little extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, and fresh mint. Spread cream cheese on the inside of the pita, and add a layer of the spinach and feta mixture once it has cooled. Follow this with some thinly sliced chicken, and then the fresh vegetable and mint mixture.

For more pita bread filling ideas, there’s a wealth of recipes on the web.

Tags: eating healthily, summer