Lunch Options for Work

brendabuckeye

I make a big pot of soup on the weekends and take leftovers most of the week. I like to make a meat and veggie soup or a heartier chili soup. It seems to fill me up (and is perfect in the winter). My favorite thing is making sweet and sour pork fom Cook Yourself Thin and taking leftovers with some wild rice. I keep containers in my freezer to make it easier and that way I don't get too bored on 3-4 days of the same thing.
Sometimes I go uptown for a salad (it's a nice little walk, and the fresh air is a great pick-me-up unless the snow is really blowing), but I usually try to choose something with some protein in it to stick with me. I avoid the bread or crackers they like to add to the salad, though, and watch the dressing!

oouurr__aayylleeyycan

Wow great response!

Thanks very much everyone! I think the general consensus is to make enough food the night before to take as leftovers, which is a good idea.

Thanks again!!

wisebadger53

I take pretty much anything I want for lunch - from cold sandwiches (12 grain bread or whole grain oat bread only), to leftovers from dinners earlier in the week, to the (occassional) slice of pizza. I always have fresh fruit and/or veggies for snacks, and keep some protein bars in my desk for those nights that I head to the gym on my way home from work.

I don't believe in depriving myself of particular foods, because in the past I have done that and just fallen back into bad eating habits when I hit my goal. There are two keys in my mind, and they seem to be working for me...portion control, and resisting the temptation to head out to the local pizza and hoagie shop with co-workers where I can easily pile on 500 - 600 extra calories without even thinking about it.

Good luck...and good eating! :happy:

MistyGo

the lowest calorie sandwich I found to make is:
2 slices of Natural Choice Smoked Deli Turkey
1 slice of Pepper Jack Veggie Slice
1 100 Calorie thin roll from pepperidge farms

chachita7

You can reheat anything and everything in the microwave - my lunch usually consist of left overs from dinner -- today is 1c brown rice and 4oz of chicken - to keep the rice moist and the chicken tender, when reheating simple cover it. 1.5 mins is all it needs...

oouurr__aayylleeyycan

This Sunday i made turkey chili in the slow cooker and brought it in for lunch. I store leftovers in lunch size portions so i can grab it on my way out the door. I'm also a big fan of string cheese and oranges for a snack.

Ooo turkey chili sounds fab! Do you have a recipe? We just bought a slow cooker so I'm still trying to find good recipes to make in it

cherylcerese

Salads are always a good option. Add grilled chicken, or on another day, add black beans or a hard boiled egg. you want to have protein because that is what's going to stay with you. Of course, very low cal dressing too. Low fat cottage cheese is good with pineapple in it. Ezekiel sprout bread is great if you want a carb. Sweet potatoes are good too. If you get hungry in between, eat unlimited veges. Fat free sour cream with Good Seasons dressing mix makes a very low calorie dip. Almonds are a great source of protein too. Fruit is good too. Just a few suggestions.... good luck

tracyruz

I usually bring leftovers but on the mornings that I may be rushing I try to keep a "pantry" in my desk drawer...I keep things like low cal/low sodium soups, granola bars/snack bars, anything non-perishable and healthy. I work in a hospital but have a desk job. The cafeteria is there for back up and unlike many hospitals the food is pretty good and they offer Weight Watcher menu items. I try not to use the cafeteria though just to save money but it's nice to know its there when I'm out of options to bring in or my work "pantry" is low!

lisabruce12

Hi,

I was wondering what people took to work for lunch when dieting - I've been having soups and low fat snacks but finding that I'm nowhere near my calorie levels by doing so. I want to continue eating healthy but at the same have something more substantial that isn't too inconvenient for work.

We don't have a cooker or oven in the office either - just hot water and a microwave so needs to be something I can make quickly at home the night before and refrigerate or can microwave.

I'm trying to avoid starchy carbs too. Any ideas would be great!!

Thanks

Hi! I am a teacher and I take my lunch with me every day. I usually take a ham or turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. You can put mustard or miracle whip on without adding many calories. I also add a fat free chocolate pudding for a sweet treat.

doornumber03

i usually do a wheat pasta with chicken or something along those lines. Easy to put in the microwave and tastes good reheated. Also leftovers are huge! Just make extra for dinners.

jtcc91

I pack my breakfast, lunch, and snacks to bring every day! Not only do I better and can track easier, I'm saving a ton of money (and calories!) by not eating out or hitting vending machines all the time. As someone else said, *planning is key*! I get all my stuff together the night before so I'm not struggling or rushing in the morning.

That said, I don't really have easy access to a microwave at work, but I do have a small fridge and water bubbler with a hot water tap. I buy a half gallon of skim milk at the beginning of the week and keep it at work. I also have a "food drawer" under my desk where I keep a box of my Special K cereal, fruit cups, Lipton Cup-of-Soup packs, oatmeal packs, (along with a supply of spoons and paper cups, bowls, etc.) Everything else I bring is things like salads, sandwiches, salsa or hummus, cheese sticks, raw veggies to munch on, measured out crackers/chips, and other things that don't need to be heated.

Plan ahead and you'll get in to a routine.. and you'll be glad you did!

jtcc91

i usually do a wheat pasta with chicken or something along those lines. Easy to put in the microwave and tastes good reheated. Also leftovers are huge! Just make extra for dinners.

Love your Red Sox pic! :drinker:

witheredorchid

If I'm in a pinch for time I have a stash of diet frozen meals in the freezer or I'll just bring left overs from dinner. Usually I make my lunch the night before and I include things like these......

Chicken or turkey sandwish on 35 Calorie Healthy Life bread
Tuna
Chicken or turkey wrap using Bueno Vida Low Carb or La Tortilla Factory wraps
Some type of chocolately 100 calorie snack
Sugar Free Puddings by Hunts
Plain greek yogurt with 2 tsps of Jello - Sugar Free Cheescake pudding mix
Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies
String Cheese
Cottage Cheese Doubles - The ones with fruti to mix in
Various fruits and veggies
Premeasured trail mixes or nuts

23Brandy

Sounds like your boss needs to get a mini fridge or a full sized one would be even better. I keep things in the freezer for bad weather when I don't want to leave or get too busy to leave the office. another idea is a small cooler that you could fit a container of salad and low cal dressing in. I keep one in my car for day trips and grocery trips. maybe you could walk to your car and get your lunch from the cooler if there is no room at your desk. Being prepared is key.

doornumber03

i usually do a wheat pasta with chicken or something along those lines. Easy to put in the microwave and tastes good reheated. Also leftovers are huge! Just make extra for dinners.

Love your Red Sox pic! :drinker:

Thanks....that was spring training about 4 years ago. Pesky always comes out 1 hour before and signs things for everyone and actually sits and talks to you....Great guy. If your a sox fan, highly recommend going to spring training one year.

JeanniebeanL79

Hi. I like to make baked panko chicken cutlets. you can eat them with vegetables or in a wrap or in a salad and they are filling. Or tuna or chicken in a can with a lil reduced fat miracle whip on whole wheat. Or just some leftovers from the nights before! Good luck! :-)

natacha305

Snacks = calories
and they never fill you up. I was a snacker and i gave it up.

just find the most filling low cal snacks

1 FLAT OUT WRAP - 90 CALS
1/2 CUP FAT FREE REFRIED BEANS - 130 CALS
TOMATOES - 16 CALS
2 TBSP FAT FREE SOUR CREAM - 30 CALS


TOTAL: 266 (CAN SUBSTITUE SOUR CREAM FOR CHEESE) THE FLAT OUT WRAP IS SO LONG IF YOU WANT YOU CAN MAKE 2 SERVINGS UNDER 500 CALS

***TURKEY SANDWICHES WITH PROVOLONE CHEESE - I KNOW ITS BEEN DONE TO DEATH BUT IF YOU HAVE A GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL YOU CAN PUT THE SAMMICH ON THERE AND MAKE IT MELTY AND TOASTY AND YOU WONT EVEN NOTICE YOU DONT HAVE ANY MAYONNAISE ON IT. I MELT CHEESE ON BREAD WHEN I DONT USE MAYO

hope this helped

kellyh2

This Sunday i made turkey chili in the slow cooker and brought it in for lunch. I store leftovers in lunch size portions so i can grab it on my way out the door. I'm also a big fan of string cheese and oranges for a snack.

Ooo turkey chili sounds fab! Do you have a recipe? We just bought a slow cooker so I'm still trying to find good recipes to make in it

Hey, I love Turkey Chilli, I use Turkey Mince, Chopped italian tinned tomatoes, garlic, chilli powder (amount dep on how hot you want it) tinned baked beans. This is so tasty and so low in calorie compared to normal chilli :-)

dillard_kelly

You can never go wrong with a tuna sandwich... however, no mayo... try to use some mustard and I add in some pickles for an extra crunch. tangy but delicious !!! Slice some tomato or have a cup of fruit to go along... yummo

dillard_kelly

mmmm the shake idea is perfect... sounds yummy

oouurr__aayylleeyycan

This Sunday i made turkey chili in the slow cooker and brought it in for lunch. I store leftovers in lunch size portions so i can grab it on my way out the door. I'm also a big fan of string cheese and oranges for a snack.

Ooo turkey chili sounds fab! Do you have a recipe? We just bought a slow cooker so I'm still trying to find good recipes to make in it

Hey, I love Turkey Chilli, I use Turkey Mince, Chopped italian tinned tomatoes, garlic, chilli powder (amount dep on how hot you want it) tinned baked beans. This is so tasty and so low in calorie compared to normal chilli :-)

Thanks for this. Not sure where I buy turkey mine from haha but I'll definitely give this a go Cheers!

aimesuk

I'm trying to do low-carb at the moment. yesterday I had a smoked mackerel salad. Basically leaves, smoked mackerel (from a packet) and some sour cream as a dressing. Was delicious. Bonus that it can be packaged up easily too.

aimesuk

Don't know if you're in the UK, but if you are they sell turkey mince in Tesco.

inkleberry75

Salad, i bought a container with a built in ice pack so the lettuce doesn't wither. I like buying slamon burgers and cooking them and breaking it up and putting it on baby spinache with fetta cheese....six grams of fat plus a balsamic dressing...Sometimes I will bring lean pockets.....canned soup........slim fast that i freeze by the time lunch rolls around it is defrosted......

tnorth82

Big salad pots - lettuce, cucumber, peppers, spring onions, cherry tomatoes - and top it with either turkey, chicken, lean ham or tuna.

MsBaby117

Make your own "Frozen Meals"...Go some place like Ikea or the dollar store and get some of the plastic divided plates with lids. Then bulk cook on the weekends and put your meals together and freeze them. Then you can just pull them out and heat and eat...

meltygarden

I bring leftovers from dinner, half sandwiches and salads or salads with some protein on them. For snacks I'll bring a couple pieces of fruit and/or a yogurt. Also I keep a jug of V8 juice in the work fridge at all times in case I need something extra.

LishieFruit89

Lately I've been making a large salad:
-2x the serving size of spinach or 1x serving of stop & shop garden salad mix & 1x serving of spinach (only thing I ever double a serving size of lol)
-1/2oz sprouts
-1/2 oz feta
-1/2 serving of Seneca apple chips
-1/2 serving of walnuts or 2 oz shrimp
-1/2 serving of craisins
-3oz or so tomato
-20 grams broccoli
-2 tbsp light dressing

Not all of this is in every salad obviously but it's things that do go in my salad

TNDamisi

What MsBaby117 said. I don't bulk cook on the weekends, but when I cook dinner the night before I portion out the rest for lunches, etc. Also a big fan of getting deli meat and making wraps -- I keep salad greens and cheese around for that purpose now, and they have low carb tortillas since that was a concern. The other thing I like to do is roast a 5lb chicken over the weekend (so easy, take chicken, rub with oil, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powders, then cook for about 2 hours until done for a basic recipe - you can always be fancier), take all the meat off, save the bones for stock, and then you have chicken for days to throw in whatever you've cooked. If you're single, that'll keep you in chicken through out the week.

curiousgp

Salads are my go to meal at work. At the beginning of the week I buy a big container of spinach or other greens (depending on what looks good at the market that week) I also buy a container of low fat cheese ( parm, mozarella (fresh) whatever - but I rotate it) and whatever other veggies/fruits look good that week. Therefore I usually end up eating roughly the same salad every day for a week - but the next week I have a different salad. This way I KNOW I'm getting a a good couple of veggies in every day. I snack on fruit, cottage cheese, nuts, fage yogurt and veggies. I don't do meats during the day. I only eat meat with my evening meal (mostly because my hubby insists on a meat meal). I don't keep sweets at work. There is no vending machine. So I'm usually pretty good for not being tempted.