Non refrigerated work snacks/meals

shaynataggart

Hey guys, I have to start busing to work and need some ideas for non refrigerated snack or meal ideas that will keep me on track! Thanks

Mellyajc

Kind of depends on your goals! Mine are Quest bars mostly..also almonds.

kchristinewilliams

Protein bars and fruit like apples and bananas. Quick and on the go!

LisaRoloff

make up regular lunches and pack up in dollar tree containers and just freeze solid. by the time lunch rolls around they are defrosted and ready for the microwave. Yogurt cups are great this way too.

arditarose

Quest bars for me too. Also, I take the train to work and if I eat around 12 I don't mind having my yogurt not refrigerated until then (I mix 0% plain greek yogurt with PB2 and cocoa powder). I also eat dark chocolate at work every day.

canary_girl

I like to mix nuts (walnuts, cashews, pecans are my favorites) with a high fiber cereal.

whmscll

An apple, 1-2 mandarins, almonds, celery with peanut butter

canary_girl

Peanut butter and wasa crackers! Yum!

shaynataggart

Thanks guys! Love the ideas!

barbiereynolds701

I love fiber bars! The 90 calorie ones!

atypicalsmith

For some reason, pistachios completely fill me up. 1/4 cup, or 47 grams, is about 130 calories and I am good to go for two or three hours.

nonoelmo

I love dried fruits, unsalted or lightly salted nuts or seeds, and Luna protein bars. A garden salad with a vinegrette or lemon squeeze should hold pretty well. I love avocado and take one whole and add it to a salad at the last minute.

In reading your post - is it just on the bus that you won't have refrigeration or also at work? Do you have a microwave or hot water at work? An Icepack designed for lunches (often blue) that is reusable will help, as will an insulated bag. I have other ideas but they would be higher in sodium (Jerky, some canned foods). Good luck.

Sued0nim

Can't you just buy a small cooler bag?

mojojojo222

Cliff Bars, Go Picnic packages... google Nature Box, they have lots of tasty healthy snacks and "Go Picnic" are light lunches already packed with nuts, dried fruit, crackers, etc. I work "out in the field" and these are some of what I eat. Also, I like green beans and can eat them plain... I either open a can and take half of them in a sealed cup, or Libby's packs them in convenient "to go" cups as well. The former necesitates refrigeration (or cool environment), but the Libby's prepacked cups don't.

As for refrigeration, I would suggest getting a small cooler and Igloo bars and or a thermos for food. No way I would have survived all these years with "brown bag" lunches if I couldn't have cool food once in awhile.. f you don't like beans straight, you can make a bean salad with green beans, wax beans, garbanzos, and kidney beans (or others), add a little vinegar (balsamic is nice) and you're good to go. As an alternative to vinegar, I may use olive oil. Maybe a dash of parmesan when it gets boring. You can also make a cold pasta salad,... just add whole wheat pasta to your mix... cook up some zucchini and squash and add it to your pasta... or zucchini, squash and rice noodles.

Anyway... if you can't use a cooler or thermos... just look in the store for pre-packed shelved lunches... another option (shelf safe, non refrigerated) is Chicken of the Sea or Bumblebee Tuna and crackers, or chicken and crackers. A good protein "go to" when you are on the run.