Ideas for quick lunch please

Katybun3

I work in a busy hospital and get half an hour for lunch. I need recipes that I don't have to make on the spot. I've totally run out of ideas and don't want to stray to the readily available tins of biscuits and chocs that patients family regularly bring us in. Look forward to your input :happy:

littleangel83uk2000

i am the same only get a short lunch. i love to use sandwich wraps with tonnes of healthy filling and salad! such as, tuna mayo and sweetcorn ( with salad) egg mayo and salad ham and cheese and salad melted cheese and tomato! yum making me feel hungry now!

omgsayalathieo

I've recently started eating Smart Ones...pretty good & a big selection. Usually about 250 calories and if you use Weight Watcher usually around 2-4 points.

Katybun3

I actually bought some wraps today. Not tried them before so looking forward to trying them :0)

SerendipityGrace

I throw together something I found at whole foods -- tunafish, cranberries, celery, cottage cheese, sliced almonds -- yum

saphire76

I just got a recipe from Jillian Michales out of the self magazine. ( a lot of recipes). split an whole wheat english muffin top it with diced tomatoes and part skim mozzarella cheese and broil for 3 minutes. mini pizzas! I put baby spinach on the bottom of mine and had a cup of grapes. enjoy!!

ricksnaustin

Here a spicy chicken wrap recipe of mine. Nothing real original but it is quick and easy to take for lunch. Each wrap is about 274 calories.

4 oz of grilled or broiled chicken breast
4 grape tomatoes sliced in thirds
1 TBSP of Weber Grill Creations - Kick'n Chicken Seasoning
1 half cup of shredded iceberg lettuce
1 Flatout Bread - Flatbread Multi-Grain With Flax
1 TBSP of Kraft Light Raspberry Vinaigrette Reduced Fat Dressing

Trim all the fat off of the boneless-skinless chicken breast and slice into strips. Season with Weber Kick'n Chicken seasoning. Grill or broil chicken until done. While chicken is cooking, slice tomatoes and shred lettuce. Lay flatbread on a plate and add lettuce. Add 1 tbsp of Light Raspberry Vinaigrette Reduced Fat Dressing. Add tomatoes and chicken. Fold ingredients to make a wrap. Makes 1 Kick'n Chicken wrap.

Let me know of you like it. :-)

mnasoccer

I too am a nurse in a busy hospital, a half hour lunch doesn't cut the 12 hour shift. I found myself snacking throughout the day on the fly. I now bring my lunch everyday, and have saved a lot of money (our cafeteria is overly priced). Some things I bring:

-Boca Burgers- I am not a vegan, but I love the easiness of these, and low calories. 70 calories, pop in microwave for a few minutes, then I put on a 100 calorie sandwich thing, with lettuce and mustard. I toss in a yogurt, and some special K crackers (17 crackers for 90 calories). Total for lunch is 340 calories.

-Tuna salad, light on the mayo.
-Progresso light soups, they are wonderful, and usually 80-110 calories per serving. \
-Leftovers, leftovers, leftovers.

-Quick veggie pizza- crescent rolls, make as indicated on package, (take 11min), top with Neufchâtel cream cheese, and cut up broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Super good, and usually about 125 calories per slice, and you get a lot of vegg in that meal. ((I pre-make the crescent rolls and keep the cream cheese and sour cream mix in a tub in fridge, I always have cut up vegg on hand, so its a quick go to meal when I don't have time to prepare something.))

mnasoccer

......... oh and to prevent me from snacking throughout the day, I bring extra Special K crackers, and grapes.

javamom

I take 2 small Mission Carb Balance Plus tortillas, deli meat, and 2 slices of cheese and microwave the for warm wraps full of melted cheese! Sometimes I add lettuce and salsa, etc.

purplespeckle

i like having a bologna sandwich and cottage cheese

Amanda_T

I am a hairstylist and run into that problem all the time! Its super hard for me when my day is super booked, so i always have a small serving of raw walnuts, low fat yogurt, and a piece of fruit so I dont splurge when I do get the chance to shove a meal in my mouth either b4 the next client or on my way home.

nilisabel

Fiber One granola bars are delish with coffee for a quick snack, like 140 calories. Just make sure you drink plenty of water during the day. Also I love burritos, the mission low carb tortillas are awesome with some fat free refried beans (you can easily make 'em yourself - just get a can of black beans and partially blend/smash the beans and reheat with water (if rinsed) or the juice in the can (if not on low-sodium diet). put the refried beans on the tortilla, add a slice of reduced fat or thin cut cheese, some canned tuna or chicken, and calovera has 40 cal per 2 tbsp guacamole, shredded lettuce and salsa. I usually make 'em in advance like on a Sunday, along with tuna noodle casserole, and whatever else takes more than a second to prepare. I individually wrap the servings, then just grab and go all week.

markymark39

another vote for a wrap - i have one most days for lunch along with an apple and orange (or another fruit in season). quick toi make and eat on the run if necessary.

- 1 Flatout Bread - Flatbread Multi-Grain With Flax

- 2-3 slices of smoked turkey

- 1/2 avacado

- alphalfa sprouts and/or lettuce

rinren84

The Healthy choice steaming entrees are actually really good. Any of them! I particularly love the Sesame chicken (tastes like take out) and Roasted Chicken Verde (add a little extra taco sauce or salsa). Yum!

Katybun3

Thanks guys. Some wonderful ideas there. Will give them a go. I have been sticking with the same old boring lunches and not varying at all. 

ratchet999

Tonight for my lunch I had a Green Giant Steamer frozen veggie bag. The roasted potatoes and green beans with a butter sauce. Super good, and I think it was only 100 calories for 3/4 cup. Super easy, and about $2!

runningneo122

When I need to take a lunch with me I roll a burrito.

1 Mission Wrap --- I like the sun-dried tomato basil
1/2 tsp sour cream --- spread a wide stripe
1 tbsp salsa --- spread on sour cream
1 tbsp chopped onion
1 slice red tomato - diced
1 big pinch Mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup meat --- I brown ground turkey and add Taco Bell taco seasoning
baby spinach

Can nuke it(rolled up) for 30 seconds or so to warm up the meat.

Check my diary for the numbers on the ingredients. 340 calories total.

ratchet999

When I need to take a lunch with me I roll a burrito.

1 Mission Wrap --- I like the sun-dried tomato basil
1/2 tsp sour cream --- spread a wide stripe
1 tbsp salsa --- spread on sour cream
1 tbsp chopped onion
1 slice red tomato - diced
1 big pinch Mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup meat --- I brown ground turkey and add Taco Bell taco seasoning
baby spinach

Can nuke it(rolled up) for 30 seconds or so to warm up the meat.

Check my diary for the numbers on the ingredients. 340 calories total.

Seriously, this sounds delicious!!!

nancym221

Nurse here with 30 minute lunch. I always bring lunch.

I cook a couple of things on my day off for the upcoming week.

I make a breakfast quiche and a lunch/dinner quiche and freeze.
I boil chicken breast for salads and sandwiches.
I bake eggplant slices and freeze also for parmesan.

Always a salad. I prepackage my dressing and cheese so all I have to do is drop in my bag.

I get ooh's and aah's from my co workers daily.

I can furnish recipes if you like.

wr130245a

I also work in an Er and only get short lunch, the wraps are great, I but rotissery chicken from local grocery deli and mixed salad and when cook steak out i save left overs and use the next day in my wraps, canned tuna and chicken are good as well.

carmen62

This is simple and I love it. Buy a bag of pre-packed mixed lettuce leaves and a can of tuna in oil. Keep a bottle of balsamic vinegar in the work fridge. At lunch, drain off the oil, throw it it the salad and splash on vinegar. Of course add extra salad vegies if you have time ( I throw in cherry tomatoes and cucumber, bit of chopped celery), or swap with tuna in brine if you prefer. Add a few crackers/ wrap/ other carb if you can't do without. Use fruit for the snack, or pack a small tub of peaches in juice (no added sugar).

It doesn't look great, but is really tasty. I never tire of it as I like the strong flavour of the balsamic.

denisecc

I like to take a lettuce leaf, turkey breast, tomatoes, cilantro and roll it up and eat it. You can pretty much put what ever you like. I am Diabetic so I am trying to eliminate carbs as much as I can, to keep my sugars low.

katzplay62

NancyM221 has the right idea: Spend part of your day/s off cooking ahead.

My personal favs are salmon/cream cheese quiche (freezes well in individual containers), protein no-bake cookies, parmesan tuna patties. Of course I have protein bars, too, but I have to watch my consumption of these; not only are they expensive but they're pretty high in calories, too.

This week I 'm trying a recipe for protein noodle lasagna and chicken patties.

My sister is a rad tech who works Sat morning through to Mon morning (double shifts and on-call thru the nights). She uses Carbquik and makes blueberry muffins, brings a protein rich cold cereal and ff 1/2 & 1/2, and sometimes Carbquik pizza leftovers.

Hope this all helps! And if you want any of the recipes I use, let me know!

Kat

Katybun3

Amazed!! Everyone is so helpful on here. I'm now spoilt for choice. So glad I came back on here. I know you guys will help me reach my goal . I can see myself in my  in the summer 

barberella

Before, I used to buy Healthy Choices up the wazoo for lunch, but now I'm trying to stay away from processed/packaged foods and make my own meals at home.
Now I try to eat more protein like an open face tuna melt with celery and steamed vegetables. I also like BLTs with turkey bacon. Of course, these are meals I make the night before. I find that I eat the best when I plan out my meals the night before. It prevents me from overeating and keeps me on task.

PinnHead

wow, serendip, thats sounds great ! It has every craving in it ( crunch, fat, and sweet ) It does sound yummm. I know what im having for lunch!!

Shamrock40

When I need to take a lunch with me I roll a burrito.

1 Mission Wrap --- I like the sun-dried tomato basil
1/2 tsp sour cream --- spread a wide stripe
1 tbsp salsa --- spread on sour cream
1 tbsp chopped onion
1 slice red tomato - diced
1 big pinch Mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup meat --- I brown ground turkey and add Taco Bell taco seasoning
baby spinach

Can nuke it(rolled up) for 30 seconds or so to warm up the meat.

Check my diary for the numbers on the ingredients. 340 calories total.

Seriously, this sounds delicious!!!

Not only delicious, it DOESN'T sound like a diet meal. Yum!

jenjones3

when you say raw nuts what is that exactly? and how many nuts is to many im sorry im new to this and dieting i work at a doctors office as a nurse and i rarely sit down to eat so i usually snack all day and its not healthy whats a healty serving sweets is not really an issue for me but breads and such so when i snack i eat way to much so if i want a snack how much is the right amount?

lilmzhunni

Please post recipes, that would be really helpful..Thanks in advance:flowerforyou:

possibility

Whenever I am super hungry and want something low cal and fresh, I always make sure I have a head of romaine lettuce. If you put a couple slices of lean meat inside and a little bit of salsa in each leaf of lettuce, it makes the yummiest, most LOW CALORIE snack ever. and depending on the meat, isnt more than 30 calories per little wrap.