Healthy lunches to bring to work w/ no microwave

slammalee · June 2012

Hi All! I know there are a few other "lunches to bring to work" type of topics on here but this is a little different and I need your help.

We only have a mini fridge and NO microwave at my work. I need suggestions on healthy lunches I can bring to work. Maybe someone knows of a easy way to at least keep lunches warm until lunch time if I heat them up before I leave for work? Or cold lunches that aren't salads (getting so sick of them..).

Anything information will help thanks!!

trudefaith · June 2012

you could get a small insulated lunch bag ( some of them are really cute) and bring food in that! I like cut up vegetables, like carrots,celery radishes and bell peppers. and maybe a packet of tuna, the kind in the foil pouch has no water that needs drained with some crackers, fruit and nuts keep well at room temp. and a healthy sandwich like whole wheat bread with peanut butter or another nut butter and a dab of honey or if your using the lunch bag you could bring salads a great way to keep it cool is to freeze a water bottle that is filled halfway with whatever drink you like at lunch time and in the morning fill the rest of the way stick it in the bag with your food and by lunch time you will have a nice cold drink to go with your lunch hope this helps

tiffany1226 · June 2012

Try the brownberry 100% whole wheat sandwich thins. Taste awesome. quick and easy. i throw honey turkey on mine with lettuce and tomato and im good to go for a couple hours.

slammalee · June 2012

Thank you!!!

Jamie2007 · June 2012

Chicken is good cold. Throw a little salsa on it and you are good to do.

mlewon · June 2012

My lunches are usually made up of a lot of finger food that I can eat on the run (I'm a camp director), so I like to bring things like hummus, carrots, celery and pb, a sammie, sometimes salad..

It's always great to change it up, and by having all sorts of smaller portions of things it makes me feel like I'm eating a ton, when I'm really not!

wendsong · June 2012

I don't know if you like sardines but I love the mustard kind with wheat crackers or the make your own tuna kits are also convenient! You could also try a wheat wrap with chicken, tuna, etc...

ampatche · June 2012

this.

http://www.coolgearinc.com/stay_fit_830.html

chelseaalicia · June 2012

This is my go to:

quinoa/brown rice + as many veggies as you want + protein source (tuna/chicken/tofu/etc) + lemon/olive oil or olive oil/tamari or soy sauce (<-- my new fave!). This keeps very well in the fridge and is awesome cold!

LindaLouLu · June 2012

I always made sandwich wraps and had little baggies of fruits and veggies. I was too cheap to buy a "real" lunch bag though, so I might have brought other stuff if I had.

In my desk on the other hand, I had granola bars, those little packets of tuna, boxes of crackers, beef jerky, raisins, nuts ...a whole supply of dried goods :laugh:

jg627 · June 2012

No microwave? Ok, so fish is out of the question. What? Everybody loves the guy who microwaves fish at the office.

slammalee · June 2012

oh awesome, thanks!

slammalee · June 2012

No microwave? Ok, so fish is out of the question. What? Everybody loves the guy who microwaves fish at the office.

haha! I think that may be why my boss doesn't want me to have a microwave in the office.... too funny.

slammalee · June 2012

I always made sandwich wraps and had little baggies of fruits and veggies. I was too cheap to buy a "real" lunch bag though, so I might have brought other stuff if I had.
In my desk on the other hand, I had granola bars, those little packets of tuna, boxes of crackers, beef jerky, raisins, nuts ...a whole supply of dried goods :laugh:

That's a good idea- to keep a stash of snacks, etc.

cloud2011 · June 2012

How about a wrap, but using lettuce instead of bread.

I also like shredded chicken on a slider roll...you can either microwave or eat cold. Then I also bring grape or cherry tomatoes, baby organic carrots, and a clif z bar (for kids).

Shredded chicken...skinless, boneless chicken breasts in the crockpot with Frank's Hot Sauce and some water. (1/2 c. hot sauce, with 1/4 c. water for 3 chicken breasts, but you can improvise). Cook on low for 6-7 hours, then remove and shred the chicken in a bowl. After shredding, return to crockpot for a couple of minutes to soak in the rest of the liquid.

I like Martin's whole wheat potato rolls (slider size) which are 100 calories ea.

This makes great leftovers, easy for work.

deadstarsunburn · June 2012

I've heard of some people make a burrito wrap it in foil than put it in a thurmus with a little hot water and it's supposed to keep the burrito from getting dried out but keeps it warm.

stefanieceleste0530 · June 2012

I'm on the road in my car most days, so I have an insulted lunch bag that I use. In not-so-hot weather, a small ice pack is usually enough to keep things cold enough...in really hot weather, I do the frozen water bottle trick also. As for the food....

Yogurt with almonds to mix in (I like the crunch, makes me feel like I'm eating more!)
Veggies with hummus or laughing cow cheese wedge
Fruit
Sandwiches - meat/cheese, chicken salad, egg salad
granola bars
mini rice cakes (chocolate are my favorite!!)

Good luck!!

zewolf77 · June 2012

the wraps and sandwich thins are good options... as well as salads.. cut up fruits/veggies... I personally like pita/hummus or pretzel thins/hummus.. there's lots of low cal munchies. There's a thread on the forums here with like 100 different snacks under 100 calories too.

hooperkay · June 2012

have you asked if you can get one? They may provide one or you could buy one and leave it there. I bought one for my workplace. Everyone loves it. I got a cheap one at Fred's. Was well worth the expense.

Sabine_Stroehm · June 2012

Peanut Butter, bananas and no-sugar added jelly on spelt or rye bread. And a fruit.

Sabine_Stroehm · June 2012

No microwave? Ok, so fish is out of the question. What? Everybody loves the guy who microwaves fish at the office.

and garlic!

slammalee · June 2012

have you asked if you can get one? They may provide one or you could buy one and leave it there. I bought one for my workplace. Everyone loves it. I got a cheap one at Fred's. Was well worth the expense.

I was thinking of just buying one and bringing it in without asking anyway.

greenkarla · June 2012

I actually really enjoy my sandwiches with hummus, whether it be turkey, chicken, etc. It doesn't have to be kept cold/warm!

now that it's HOT summer, I have great meals that are in the fridge overnight that I leave in the car during the morning. when I come out at lunch, their toasty warm.

A great lunch idea that can be eaten warm or cold is avocado-chicken-salsa-shredded cheese in a wrap. I recently became gluten-free so now I eat it mixed in Quinoa. I love it!

Another suggestion to your microwave problem is one of those plug-in coolers. I have one in my vehicle that I set to "cold" during the summer to keep my water bottles and shakes cold. During the winter when Im running around between minor hockey arenas and during work days, I can set it to "hot". You can usually pick one up for around the same price as a microwave, plus you get to use it in your vehicle when you're not at work!! not something you can do with a microwave!!! lol. ((Ps. start your car at lunch time just incase your battery isn't able to hold charge for 8-9hrs. My battery went dead when I once left it plugged in overnight by accident))

hooperkay · June 2012

have you asked if you can get one? They may provide one or you could buy one and leave it there. I bought one for my workplace. Everyone loves it. I got a cheap one at Fred's. Was well worth the expense.

I was thinking of just buying one and bringing it in without asking anyway.

my job didn't care they just didn't want to buy one. cheap-o's

josyjozy · June 2012

I have been doing a lot of tuna salad with different combinations of ingredients so I don't get bored. Lots of Greek Yogurt. Sometimes, I'll just get ham or turkey and roll a few slices with cheese and put it in a baggy in the fridge. I always keep a Fit & Active Peanut Butter meal or snack bar in my purse. (Ok, so maybe I keep three in there)

lyttlewon · June 2012

Cube super firm tofu, toss with some sesame oil and soy sauce, bake at 500 degrees for about 25 minutes stirring partway through.

SuperVegan8 · June 2012

A few of my cold lunch ideas:

* Cold pasta dishes can be great;
* Smooties/shakes;
* Cous Cous and roast veggie salads or other non common salads (other than the lett, tomato, cucumber variety) are always a nice change too

Buy a flask. You can still have warm lunches, chillis, stews, soups - heat before you leave home and serve at lunchtime.

I know its probably summer there (if youre in the US) but its something different for you.

torygirl79 · June 2012

Instead of bread, I often use dark rye Ryvita cracker breads. Add houmous or one of the lighter pates (such as crab), then some veggies on the side, a few olives and carrots at least. If I'm not looking at a heavy calorie day forget pâté and go with light Brie instead.