Looking for cheap, filling, tasty packed lunch ideas!

beccus

Hi all

One of my BIGGEST issues is when it comes to lunch.
I try to take lunch to work to save money. I meal plan for dinner when we do our shopping but I seem to have a real mental block when it comes to ideas for lunch.

I want something that is pretty easy to prepare, doesn't cost the earth, fills me up until teatime and also tastes good. Am I looking for the impossible?

In my main office I have access to a fridge and microwave too.

Thanks in advance!

chrish1981

I love Lean Cusines (or Smart Ones).

They fill me up, especially the pasta dishes or those containing potatoes.

nibbynoo

i take soup and a roll
a cheap can of soup is only about 150c and filling

steffmd25

I usually take my lunch to work. I will sometimes bring leftovers. While I'm fixing my son/hubby and my plate for dinner, I go ahead and fix my lunch for the next day. Sometimes I also bring frozen meals like healthy choice or lean cuisine. I know the salt is high on these, but the calories are usually between 250-300. I suggest also including a fruit with these to help it be more filling for you.

tamheath

- Pita stuffed with turkey, fresh spinich and light mayo (or laughing cow)
- Salad made the night before in your very own kitchen with whatever veggies you like, maybe some deli turkey and egg whites
- Weight Watcher Taco Soup or No-Point Vegetable Soup (google the recipes) made on the weekend, and packed in individual containers for lunch.
- Homemade tuna salad, put on a sandwich round with some lettuce, along with a cup of Progresso light (or similar) soup.

Definitely NOT impossible!

ltlemermaid

When I have left overs from dinner I take those for lunch the next day. If not I choose from the following list:

Sandwich-sprouted bread or a wrap, hummus or laughing cow for spread, ham or turkey and a slice of cheese, salad and tomato.

Soups-I like the Amy's organic brands so I eat 1/2 to 1 can, sometimes a serving of crackers

Veggie salad-red, yellow, orange peppers, cucumbers, tomato, mushrooms, romaine lettuce, spinach, sometimes cheese with a tsp of dressing (regular ranch = 20calories for the dressing).

Tuna salad-tuna, garlic mayo, relish-usually with crackers or pita chips

I always try to have some sort of fruit with my lunch-ornges, banana, apple...

wendix

i usually make a sandwich the night before or in the morning if i have time with something like goats cheese/hummus/cooked chicken with lettuce, tomatoes etc.
or i make a salad the night before like greek salad, tuna salad, salmon salad, chicken caesar, chicken + sweetcorn, ham and pineapple, goats cheese+beetroot, avocado and sundried tomatoes.... the possibilites are endless!
you can def cook something the night before or day before and keep it in the fridge.
OR try a weightwatchers ready meal just remember to check salt etc.

or mayeb wholemeal pittabread with hummus. or a wholemeal wrap.
then some fruit and maybe something like one handful of yogurt covered raisins which taste amazing but are pretty good for you as long as u don't eat too much!!

or try different types of soup, either shop bought or make your own

taletreader

I take about anything I might cook in a tupperware box (at my previous workplaces, we had microwave ovens). Soups work fine. But my favourites are:

- WARM: A portion of ravioli (I like a supermarket brand sold in the UK as "pine nut and pumpkin fiorelli" for about 270 cal / half a pack, but it may be up to 350-400 cal for a lunch portion -- you need to measure), with a small amount of olive oil and a side of steamed vegetables (broccoli, leeks, carrots, ...).
- COLD: A salad made from green lentils (they cook in 15 min), canned chickpeas (drain, rinse and shell), some chopped red onion and garlic, plus olive oil and a drop of lemon juice. (A can of chickpeas with proportional amounts fo the other ingredients gives three portions of about 270 cal each.) Add to that some protein-rich topper -- feta cheese, a few rolls of cold cuts of your choice, chicken livers, grilled meat, lox, canned tuna...

ShannonWinger

My husband loves for me to pack beans and rice. It's SUPER cheap and easy. I crockpot the beans and put them with brown rice. You can flavor the beans different like for a different taste. It sticks with you for a long time and it's healthy.

beccus

Thanks so much guys!
Will have a proper read through tonight.

These all sound yummy.