Where do you grab inexpensive healthy food on the go?

BellaGettinFit

When I'm running around and want healthy eats or even want lunch I have to choose between, a $6-7 chicken salad or $1 McValue Menu item. Pizza at Sam's is $2.15, Salad is $5. Please help make eating outside my house not send me to poor house!

beamer0821

why can't you pack your lunch. pack a little lunch bag put a little ice pack in it if its something that needs to stay fresh. i do this everyday. i actually pack leftovers from dinner the night before so im not prepping multiple meals.

eating out healthier always seems to be the more expensive route.

JoshNorris79

At Sams, try a hot dog! With the Bun and dog and mustard and saurkraut it's only 450 calories. The pizza is @ 650 calories.

yayamom3

I'm not sure what your definition of inexpensive is, but when I'm running errands and want something quick and healthy, I eat at Panera. And if you sign up for their rewards system, you receive lots of freebies and discounts.

futuremanda

Seconding packing your lunch. It's the cheapest, it gives you more control, and it really does get easier and more automatic the longer you do it.

But also, you could loosen up your definition of healthy a bit. Pizza is fine, burgers are fine. Salads can actually be huge calorie bombs.

Use portion control. (A burger with one patty, not three. One slice of veggie pizza, a 0 calorie drink.) And learn which toppings/ingredients tend to be more caloric so you can limit them when you don't have access to the nutrition menu. (Cheese and bacon, for example. Whipped cream. Milkshakes. Meat toppings on a pizza. Sides.)

If there's a grocery store nearby, they always have sections with stuff for people coming in on their lunch hour, or just after dinner, or while on the road. You can get fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches, etc. You'd have to check it out though to see what fits in your budget. (And keeping in mind that you could definitely purchase a pack of yoghurt cups and ingredients to make your own sandwich, cut your own fruit, for less. You always pay for someone else to do that for you.)

Find the nutrition menus for your usual lunch places online, and start looking for items that fit within your lunch calorie budget, as well as your $$$ budget.

Sometimes, breakfast menus are cheaper. So look those up. You can always buy your lunch on your way into work, from the breakfast menu.

Jen21878

Stock up on some protein bars like Quest or Victory from Oh Yeah!

Throw them in the car, purse, gym bag. It'll always be on hand and you won't have to make unhealthy choices.

Terpnista84

Inexpensive, healthy food (that will fill you up) is like an oxymoron. A big part of weight loss is planning ahead. Otherwise, prepare to spend money to get a healthy meal.

If you want an inexpensive, healthy snack to hold you over, that will be a little less challenging. Greek yogurt from a convenience store (like CVS), an apple, etc. will hold you over. The other day I grabbed a stick of cheese and a bag of nuts for about $3 and it did the trick.

Terpnista84

dp

tmg446

I always pack a snack/lunch If I know I wont be able to make my own meals for the day. I have lost about 40 lbs in 100 or so days doing this so I can completely control the portions and quality of the food I eat and there really is no better/cheaper way.

ncfitbit

I try to remember to make the distinction between eating out for pleasure and eating out because I just didn't plan ahead and need to eat while I'm out. If it's for pleasure, I'd much rather pay more $ for my favorite healthy lunch and really enjoy it without any guilt or too many consequences for my daily calorie goal, than pay a lot more (calories) for a cheaper takeout item that won't fill me up for more than a few hours. (I like the Sam's pizza, too, but I'm hungry again in a few hours!) You will pay one way or another, so don't let the price fool you into thinking otherwise. Lol.

If I'm really just running around and need to eat asap, I agree with others that swinging by a grocery store is a great idea. I like to think of apples as nature's fast food. I pick the nicest apple I can find and pair it with some sort of protein (turkey jerky or string cheese) and that will usually hold me over until my next meal.

jacksonpt

wendy's chicken nuggets and chili is my go-to. I also try to keep some beef jerky and protein bars (perky jerky and clif builder mint are my favorites) on hand as back-up.

Also, places like Moe's or Subway, where you can control how they make/assemble your meal gives you say in what goes in and is easier to customize for your calorie/macro needs. Need protein? Double meat. Lower cal? Extra veggies, no sauces/dressings. etc etc.

NaturallyOlivia

Schlotzsky's - over 100 items featured on healthydiningfinder.com and their Garden Salad is usually $6 but only 40 cal.

Subway is a good optional they're always running specials, but stick with wheat bread of flatbread. And be careful with the sauces, as it's hard to gauge what they put on there. Also, its a good rule of thumb just in general to avoid cheeses (highly processed, high in fat, calories, and can cause inflammation issues)

Taco Bell (surprising right?!) if you're watching carbs I'm not sure how you would fare here hut they have some decent low calorie options (stay away from the cantina though! It's a trap!!) even some on their dollar menu. I like the fresco options.

Zoe's kitchen - omg I love this place! So many healthy options but probably the higher end of your budget. I think around $6-7 for a meal

NaturallyOlivia

Oh! I forgot chick fil a's grilled chicken nuggets 12 count = only 200 cal

tat2cookie

I keep jerky or a quest bar in my purse at all times. If I do have to get fast food I'll get a salad or a wrap with no sauce or dressing, or grilled chicken sandwich with no fries.

azulvioleta6

My own refrigerator. If you wait until you are hungry to figure out what you are going to eat, you are in trouble.

There is one food chain in my area (Cafe Yumm) that has healthy brown rice bowls. Other than that, I try not to put myself in situations where I HAVE to eat out.

Lizzy622

I've run into the grocery store and bought a bag of baby carrots and cottage cheese for about $3. Is that cheap enough?

redoakcircus

I eat a lot of on-the-go type foods. In a comparison of cost vs convenience, convenience often wins for me. I eat lunch at a Panera near my office (avg $8 per meal). I also grab wraps and salads from the Target deli counter ($5). Breakfast is usually a Quest bar.

Katiebear_81

I get food from 7-11. The one here by my office sells 2 hardboiled eggs for $1.30, and two bananas for $1.60. I'll usually devour both eggs (140 calories for both) and a banana (I guesstimate on calories - no scale at work), plus my coffee. That will keep me going until lunch time, and there are days when I will get two packs of eggs and just have the same thing for lunch. Sometimes I'll spend the extra $4 and get a 200+ gram container of fresh veggies. Not as cheap as at home, but if you can resist the siren song of their prepared food... not a bad way to go.

Brightstar4031

When I have to eat fast food and want to eat "healthy" I'll get a grilled chicken sandwich without the sauce. That's cheap too. Packing lunch and planning are so important

jenluvsushi

I always get a grilled chicken sandwich if I have to grab something quick and didn't plan.

Barbs2222

I stop at a convenience store and get a cheese stick and a V8. Might put me over the sodium limit but not the calories so I don't care.

williams969

I always make sure I have food with me (I'm cheap and on a budget, so fast food/convenience foods are for "special treats" only).

Food items I always have with me (I'm at school 6-8 hours/day, so this covers all food need scenarios, ):

--Kind bars (or the cheaper *almost* as tasty Clif Mojo trail mix bars)--I always keep some in my purse at all times for quick energy/carbs
--Mixed nuts/almonds and hand fruit (apple/banana/orange, etc.)
--Small Tupperware of leftovers I don't mind eating cold or a sandwich/wrap
--Greek yogurt (freeze it overnight, stays good all day, ready to eat by lunch/early afternoon)
--Water bottle and some Mio (or similar)--I don't like paying for water/beverages too often

olunriley

If you can't avoid fast food, then stick with their staples. The calories seem to almost always jump up on their special run items unless they specifically state low calorie.

Pollo Loco seems to have options though I can't speak to the quality of the ingredients.

betuel75

how about a 6 inch black forest ham from Subway. Even cheaper is a cold cut combo but will have a little bit more calories. Dont get cheese or mayo...

njitaliana

You can grab a grilled chicken salad at McDonald's or Burger King. You can get a Cantina Bowl at Taco Bell (chicken, steak or black bean). They are inexpensive and quick.

mjflajs

My McDonald's go to is a hamburger, side salad and apple slices. Under $3.

blmcl6

futuremanda wrote: »

Seconding packing your lunch. It's the cheapest, it gives you more control, and it really does get easier and more automatic the longer you do it.

But also, you could loosen up your definition of healthy a bit. Pizza is fine, burgers are fine. Salads can actually be huge calorie bombs.

Use portion control. (A burger with one patty, not three. One slice of veggie pizza, a 0 calorie drink.) And learn which toppings/ingredients tend to be more caloric so you can limit them when you don't have access to the nutrition menu. (Cheese and bacon, for example. Whipped cream. Milkshakes. Meat toppings on a pizza. Sides.)

If there's a grocery store nearby, they always have sections with stuff for people coming in on their lunch hour, or just after dinner, or while on the road. You can get fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches, etc. You'd have to check it out though to see what fits in your budget. (And keeping in mind that you could definitely purchase a pack of yoghurt cups and ingredients to make your own sandwich, cut your own fruit, for less. You always pay for someone else to do that for you.)

Find the nutrition menus for your usual lunch places online, and start looking for items that fit within your lunch calorie budget, as well as your $$$ budget.

Sometimes, breakfast menus are cheaper. So look those up. You can always buy your lunch on your way into work, from the breakfast menu.

AMEN! someone gets it

AlciaMode

Whatever you do dont think you are saving calories by getting a veggie burger at burger king instead of a regular one. I made the mistake to great disappointment.

PAV8888

Apples, hard boiled eggs, protein bars, protein shakes can all travel for hours safely without refrigeration.

mcdonald's double hamburger add letuce add tomato add lots of red onion (about $2 CAD up here, about 340 calories including the condiments) or add a slice of "cheese" to go up to about 400 cal by ordering a mcdouble (don't forget to add letuce, tomato, and lots of red onions!), and a "glass" of water (which is usually free)

Wendy's chili (a bit salty) anywhere from 180 to 250 cal depending on size and country (and your free glass of water)

Can you tolerate weird stuff? McDonald's side salad 40-50 cal without dressing, "fortified" with a side order of regular meat patty (or two) @ $0.60 each which you cut into the salad.

Mcdonald's breakfast time! Regular items are not bad. i also like to get two round eggs on an unbuttered english muffin, add tomato for a dime or two less than an egg mcmuffin (trading cheese and meat for an extra egg)

belimawr

I second Panera for a nice lunch.

As well as the gas station/convenience places like 7-11/WaWa/Quikcheck. I know near me (New Jersey) WaWa and QuikCheck actually put on the label of some sandwiches and other items "under xxx calories" for those interested.

hesn92

We have quik trips here and they sell a lot of stuff. They have stuff like yogurt, sandwiches, fruit and cheese trays (individual Size) pieces of fruit, granola/protein/breakfast bars. They also have hot dogs, taqitos, pizza, hot wraps, big pretzels, smoothies...