late shift, immediate dinner ideas. ( no, not take out :) )

Mrs_Wellington

Ok, You get in from your late shift ,you didn't think about dinner before you left for work, and you are STARVING !! what is your go-to meal ? Do you just say " sod it " and go to bed hangry or do you have a few immediate store cupboard / freezer staples that will fit the bill ?

Fit_French

Prep for the week on your day off, that way there's no excuses!

Melo1966

Cottage cheese or Greek Yogurt and berries if wanting something really fast. But I eat late almost everynight and cook something like meat/fish with veggies.

Mrs_Wellington

i should get more organised !! i tend to think i'm doing ok but probably not planning far enough in front. ta.x

quiksylver296

Usually Campbell's Chunky Soup. Not the worst, not the best, but filling and quick.

Jesea

I try to keep a veggie/dip tray in the fridge, that way, if I'm too hungry to think about eating something healthy, I can munch on them until I figure it out. I also have a stash of single servings of dinner leftovers in the freezer, they would work in a pinch!

Pearsquared

I make a quick fried egg with an English muffin and laughing cow cheese.

saviarre

I keep those pre-cooked grilled chicken breast strips (Tyson brand usually, or whatever's on sale) and a bag of frozen vegetables on hand. I usually toss some frozen mixed veggies and some precooked chicken breast in a bowl, toss it in the microwave, add some Mrs. Dash, and I'm happy as a clam. I also do this when I forget to bring a lunch to work. Instead of heading out for fast food, I go to the grocery store and get those and heat them at work. Much healthier than any microwave meal. Tastier too.

Tracie1082

I always seem to have leftovers in my fridge that I could heat up, but if I don't then I always have sweet potatoes on hand that I could put in the microwave or make a quick stirfry with veggies.

Mrs_Wellington

thanks guys !! i appreciate your input . will try harder-honest. x

Okapi42

I usually get in really late - I work till 6, but between all my evening activities, I make it home before 9.30 pm maybe once a week.

Quick dinners for me (other than leftovers I can reheat) are:

Microwave rice and quorn chunks or beans and veggies from the freezer, plus an egg.

A vegetable stir-fry with noodles. They take less time to cook than rice.

Fresh pasta/tortellini (which take less than 5 minutes to cook) with sauce (made ahead and frozen or from a jar, in a pinch).

Pancakes - usually savoury. Tonight's dinner, for example, was buckwheat pancakes with spinach, onion, and feta filling.

An omelette and nice fresh bread with vegetables in pesto.

Hummus and things to dip in it.

And once in a while, something frozen I can shove in the oven - eg. a quorn fillet, potato wedges, and frozen vegetables - which then cooks while I shower.

lee91356

First off if you can try to prevent it from happening in the first place, that would be ideal for you. I know that when I'm starving iI either make poor food choices or overeat unintentionally (I eat so quickly that cant be bothered to measure and eat more than I should). I always carry snacks with me - protein bars, nuts, beef jerky, etc. - either in my purse, desk at work at in my car. If I end up skipping a meal or I'm out and really hungry and dont want to run to a drive through I have options. Also it prevents me from feeling like I'm starving and risking losing self control.

But sometimes it does just happen, thats why I always have some frozen meals or canned soups at home (generally I avoid them like the plague, but every now and then you need a quick meal). Or if its something you can prepare for, then prepare it like you would any other meal on the go - portion it out in advance and not cook on the spot while your starving.

Hope that helps, I know for me proper meal planning has helped a LOT in sticking with MFP and weight loss

lee91356

or you can to drive through/ take out but make it healthy, like grilled chicken/ fish with salad or low fat soup. I also do that often.

princessdartany

healthy choice steamers...frozen meals.....low sodium

CherryOnionKiss

lol. A ham sandwich or McDonald. I'm ashamed

emilymaya16

If I know I'm gna be short on time for cooking (for example now I have exams and am spending a lot of time revising late at the library) I make a massive batch of something and freeze it up in boxes. Chilli con carne is a really easy thing to do in batches and all you have to do is get some boil in the bag rice, and warm up your chilli portion, dinner in 5! You'll need to remember to get the box out to defrost that morning or the night before though. Other options:
Chilli con carne
Chicken curry
Bolognese
Chicken and mushrooms in creamy sauce
Risotto
Anything you fancy!

AlongCame_Molly

Hard boiled eggs in the fridge keep for weeks and are super quick.

jwdieter

Protein shake / smoothie.

Mrs_Wellington

@okapi, could you post the recipe for the pancakes please? they sound lovely ! and cherry- we all have happy foods,lol

Okapi42

@okapi, could you post the recipe for the pancakes please? they sound lovely ! and cherry- we all have happy foods,lol

Certainly! I make my pancakes with lots of egg because my GP says I should eat more of them, but you don't really need more than one. I mix 80g of buckwheat flour, 1 or more eggs, and 100ml of milk. Add a bit of water if it's too thick. You can use plain or wholegrain flour instead, I just really like buckwheat... Then fry in a pan - make them thinnish, more like crepes than breakfast pancakes. Should make 2-3 big ones.

The filling can cook at the same time - for just myself, I use a small onion, 100g (half a bag) of spinach, 30g of feta, and some nutmeg. If you're really short on time, zap the onion in the microwave, otherwise, fry it in a little bit of oil, then add a tablespoon or two of water and the spinach, just until it wilts. Sprinkle on some salt and nutmeg as well as anything else you fancy, then stir in 30g of feta cubes and fill the pancakes with it.

whitterbugkru

I grab a meat piece from the butcher area-- steak, pork chop, drumsticks, thighs.

ebr250

Morningstar Prime Grillers or Chik'n patties. Delish and take no planning!! Just take them from the freezer, pop in the oven for 15 minutes, dress and eat

JoanB5

Greek Yogurt + fruit + granola.

Protein shake

Omelet

Leftover chicken in an Xtreme Wellness Tortilla shell

Chocolate Milk

English bagel (toaster)+ egg + egg white (liquid, no bowl or mixing required), 1.5 slices precooked Tyson (Microwave 15 sec), skim shredded cheese

Hummus in an Xtreme Wellness Tortilla Shell, heated 15 seconds

Peanut butter banana on thin bagel

Bowl of lowfat granola cereal (with bananas if desired)

Leftover BBQ heated on a Healthy Life bun

Add precut raw fruit/ vegges to these, a multivitamin, and Splenda Tea I keep in the frig.

Tuna in a pre-measured packet + wheat thins, tomato, or salsa

Hummus in celery

Protein bars for on the run

I never go anywhere without food on me. That way, there is always a decent option for calories without fast food unless I choose it.

Morninglory81

I keep quinoa cooked in the fridge and add cottage cheese and black beans to it with a Tb of salad dressing. Microwave quinoa and beans add dressing and cottage cheese. It is filling and has my macro balance.

Mrs_Wellington

@pearsquared we could be related !! been trying to forget your post idea,but that sounds like my next 'late in' meal .ta.x mrs.w.