When you don't want to cook what's your go to meal?

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Replies

  • 13turtles
    13turtles Posts: 183 Member
    Costco Rotisserie Chicken. Can't beat it for $4.99. I get home, strip all the meat off the bones, use the bones, skin, etc to make broth, eat some of the meat with veggies, quinoa, etc. Use the rest of the meat in casserole. Good stuff.

    I do this as well! Makes great chicken enchiladas and soups. I eat a portion of the chicken with steamed veggies on the side. I also use Chipotle for a dining out meal, in a bowl, no rice, extra beans, veggies, protein, cheese, salsa, and guacamole and I only eat 1/3 so I have it for leftovers.

    At home, I always have fat free re-fried beans and low fat cheese. For a quick meal, I heat up the beans, melt cheese on top, and add salsa and a bit of fat-free Greek yogurt. Like the inside of a bean burrito without the tortilla. Quick, filling, and easy to make.
  • Songbirdcw
    Songbirdcw Posts: 320 Member
    Taco Bell - Vegetarian Cantina Bowl (sauce on the side), Black Bean Burrito, Nacho supreme - no meat/sour cream
    Chipotle - Vegetarian Salad - no sour cream, no/minimal cheese, 3 Soft Tacos - no meat
    Noodles & Co - Small Pasta Fresca
    Subway - (Haven't tried yet) Chopped Tuna salad

    I'm hungry! :sad:
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    When I'm feeling lazy I generally have a sandwich wrap or maybe a frozen pizza or a bean burrito using canned refried beans. I rarely want to go out if I'm in a lazy mood. But when I want to eat out and be healthy I generally just order a grilled meat (fish, chicken breast, pork chop, small sirloin) and a couple of veggie sides.
  • sc10985
    sc10985 Posts: 347 Member
    Subway- 6in turkey with cheese and lettuce no dressing & baked chips
    Chipotle- 2 chicken tacos with lettuce and light cheese & chips with medium salsa (but only 1/4-1/2 the bag)

    I don't like a lot of veggies so I eat kinda plain lol
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    For eating out my husband and I normally will go to Subway. I get a veggie sub without cheese and very little sauce. It's relatively low cal and low sodium without the cheese and the sauce. Other than that we tend to go to Swiss Chalet.. they have some great salads and my husband usually will go for the chicken dinner as that can be pretty good without the fries as a side.

    We try not to go out to eat often as we are trying to keep with a strict budget. So if I don't feel like cooking and we stay at home I will usually make a big salad. I always have a big bowl with pre washed, pre cut salad greens in the fridge along with little containers filled with washed and cut up carrots, cucumbers, radishes, green peppers, mushrooms, etc so I just grab some of the salad greens, throw on some of the other veggies and it's a great salad and meal without much time. Sometimes we also take a bunch of those already cut up veggies with some low cal dip and just have veggies and dip for dinner.
  • KAS0917
    KAS0917 Posts: 172 Member
    I cannot speak to sodium. These are probably all sucky choices for that :)

    ____________________________________

    I got the Chipotle Chicken Bowl last night for the first time since I have been tracking on MFP. Holy good gracious on the sodium when I tracked it. I got all 3 salsas - the pico / corn / hot red salsa because they had a ton of flavor without a ton of calories. Now I know why they are so flavorful! :noway: I think my bowl had nearly 3,000 mg of sodium in it!! Scale was up 2 pounds today, lol.


    One of my 'go to' places when I'm traveling is PF Chang's. I love the spicy chicken w/ brown rice. BUT, order the chicken to be 'stock velveted' which means they cook it in chicken broth instead of cornstarch coating cooked in oil, AND I order the sauce on the side. I dip my fork in the sauce, and then grab a bit of chicken and it's a very flavorful meal for fractions of the calories. It doesn't look as good - chicken breast cooked in chicken broth isn't that appetizing looking, but it tastes good!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Some days I get lazy and just don’t feel like cooking, what meals are healthy in terms of restaurants that you like to eat?

    Get 2 Chic-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and throw out the bun on the second one. Double-stack the chicken, lettuce and tomato. it's about 500 calories total and it's a great, fast, FULL, balanced dinner (protein, carbs, veggies).

    A full balanced meal? Just how much lettuce and tomato do they put on their sandiwches??
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
    Depending on what I'm in the mood for...

    Panera poppyseed salad without chicken
    Veggie bowl from chipotle (brown rice, black beans, veggies, all salsas except hot, and extra lettuce)
    Veggie sandwich from Subway
    Small penne rosa with feta and tofu
  • apothecarist
    apothecarist Posts: 193
    If I don't feel like cooking, I'll heat up one of the Lean Cuisine's in my freezer or that Lean Pocket, way in the back, that probably has freezer burn.
    Other options are a bowl of cereal w/bananas and almond milk. That doesn't count as cooking, right? :tongue:
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
    Other options are a bowl of cereal w/bananas and almond milk. That doesn't count as cooking, right? :tongue:
    :laugh: I have cereal for dinner too often because I don't feel like cooking after getting home from the gym. Not the best choice nutrient-wise though. :ohwell:
  • kristina1709
    kristina1709 Posts: 119 Member
    Cereal (usually a high fiber kind)

    Salad w/left over chicken and light honey mustard

    Or McDonalds happy meal (chicken nugget happy meal is only 309 cals)
  • breeshabebe
    breeshabebe Posts: 580
    Kashi protien cereal or a quick omlet.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Not the best, but PBJ sandwhich is ALWAYS a good standby. Have them a few times a week. Soooo many calories though (an no, I don't want to use a PB substitute!)
  • morkiemama
    morkiemama Posts: 894 Member
    Bump! :D
  • Illona88
    Illona88 Posts: 903 Member
    Quicker than a ready meal stir fry:

    Boil water in a kettle and break up some egg noodles or wholemeal noodles into a bowl. Pour on boiled water. Leave to stand for about four minutes. Toast about a tbsp of sesame seeds in an oil less wok until golden brown (couple of seconds). Take them out into a bowl or plate.
    Heat oil in the wok. Add a teaspoon of sambal ulek (chili paste) and stir fry for a couple of seconds. Chuck in about 150gr of baby leaf spinach. Strir fry until it has shrunk. Drain the noodles, add to the spinach. Add a tbsp of honey and a tbsp of soy sauce.
    Put in a bowl and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.

    You can add some rotisserie chicken to up the protein, but it is very tasty just like this as well.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Leftovers

    Rotisserie chicken

    Lean Cuisine meals
  • ezziepug
    ezziepug Posts: 57
    I don't go all that much, but Subway can definitely be healthy depending on what you pick (I do the flat bread...not sure if that's better than the regular bread, but it does seem less yooge). The grilled McDonald McWraps are really, really good and not too bad calorie-wise. I like any kind of deli sandwich (outside of Subway). If I get it on whole wheat and stay away from mayo etc. they end up being pretty healthy. There's a Mexican place near me that does a sort of burrito bowl (Chipotle might do these too?). I tell them to hold or go light on the rice and use a lot of salsa instead of sour cream--I like guac and cheese, so I just have the do a tiny bit). It's all on lettuce and really good.

    I cannot speak to sodium. These are probably all sucky choices for that :)


    omgah the Grilled Chili Chicken McWrap is 360 calories of deliciousness. I will be really upset when they stop selling those. Like you said, sodium wise- maybe not the best thing. BUT if you're out and about it's an ok option. YUMMMM.

    Oh, I know. I actually got to "test" a McWrap for a marketing company...they paid me $100. Glad no one else pays me to eat....I have enough weight problems!
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,328 Member
    I'll go buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. Add some veggies and you have instant dinner. But I miss having the Boston Market across the street. Didn't need another Bank of America branch!
  • jaimrlx
    jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
    Costco Rotisserie Chicken. Can't beat it for $4.99. I get home, strip all the meat off the bones, use the bones, skin, etc to make broth, eat some of the meat with veggies, quinoa, etc. Use the rest of the meat in casserole. Good stuff.

    I did this last night and made the best soup I've ever made. Will never forget the Rotisserie, it's pretty good!
  • EuSaNaD
    EuSaNaD Posts: 33
    Some days I get lazy and just don’t feel like cooking, what meals are healthy in terms of restaurants that you like to eat?

    Get 2 Chic-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Sandwiches and throw out the bun on the second one. Double-stack the chicken, lettuce and tomato. it's about 500 calories total and it's a great, fast, FULL, balanced dinner (protein, carbs, veggies).

    I really like your idea! I'm going to have to try that the next time I go to Chick-Fil-A.
  • TheHorribleBlob
    TheHorribleBlob Posts: 84 Member
    If I don't feel like cooking, I make a sandwich, and if I'm feeling too lazy to do that, I make instant noodles.

    I'm too poor for restaurants.
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    I never feel like cooking, it's just me ...my go to's at the moment for fast food are:

    Wendys: Their chicken salad with a light dressing, I get the full size and it's 2 meals for me. I also like their small chili w/onions or baked potato w/chive & one buttery spread. Other option is their ultimate grilled chicken no bun no sauce (I prefer ketchup).

    Burger King: Value fries & Whopper Jr.

    Subway: I get their salads, low dressing on side, no croutons.

    Panda Express: Mushroom chicken, or String bean chicken, their new teriyaki chicken is tasty, beef w/broccoli and their mixed veggie as the side. Lotta low choices there.

    Boston Market: Turkey (reg) w/lemon garlic spinach & green beans, bit o gravy on the side. Best bet, avoid the yummy cornbread.

    IHOP: Simple & Fit's are a go to for me.

    Dennys; Fit & Fare menu works in a pinch.

    Sodium will kill no matter where for the most part. I do try to watch my carbs.
  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Posts: 1,191 Member
    I'm in So Cal and these are some of my favorites for lunch from places near where I work:

    L&L Hawaiian -Garlic Shrimp/Mahi Mahi/BBQ Chicken (white meat) Healthy Plate (served on shredded cabbage with a side salad and brown rice. I use a little of my own balsamic vinegar instead of dressing. Often these days, it's Swai instead of Mahi Mahi, but still good))

    The Habit - Teriyaki Burger with Swiss Cheese, Lettuce-wrapped
    The Habit - Grilled Chicken Salad
    The Habit - Veggie Burger on Whole Wheat

    El Pollo Loco - 2 piece chicken combo with 2 side dishes: steamed vegetables and flame-grilled corn or side salad (no drink!)
  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Posts: 1,191 Member
    I'll go buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. Add some veggies and you have instant dinner. But I miss having the Boston Market across the street. Didn't need another Bank of America branch!

    Ditto on the rotisserie chicken! I think it's great when I don't feel like cooking but don't want any of my usual fast food options

    For a quick veggie, I throw a corn in the microwave for 4 minutes so it cooks in the husk. I only have the cut the end when it's done to pull off the husk and silks and voila! corn on the cob ready!

    I also will sometimes bake a small potato in the microwave for my carbs and use a wee bit of blue cheese dressing for flavor. I really make sure it is a small potato though.
  • DatMurse
    DatMurse Posts: 1,501 Member
    The neighborhood animals
  • Querian
    Querian Posts: 419 Member
    I need this thread :smile:
  • Mario_Az
    Mario_Az Posts: 1,331 Member
    protein shake
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    Bump for good ideas. :)
  • iarelarry
    iarelarry Posts: 201 Member
    2 servings of cereal and 8 fl oz of 1% milk!

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  • lovingbears2
    lovingbears2 Posts: 73 Member
    Restaurant wise, I like the chicken strawberry spinach salad at Cracker Barrel. If I don't want a sit down restaurant, I like Panera Bread because every single item on their board has the calorie count posted right there, so I can pick and choose depending on what I feel like eating that day or how many calories I have to work with left. If I am at home, I keep the La Tortilla Factory Multi-grain wraps with olive oil in the house, 90 calories, and then just throw in whatever I have in the house. I can make an egg/veggie wrap, or a deli turkey wrap, or I like to take the TransOcean imitation crab meat, mix it with 1 tbl low fat mayo, diced celery and onion if I feel like it , and throw it into the wrap. It is very filling and super easy -also tuna or egg salad in the wrap).

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