Full Timers: What's your favorite lunch to bring?

jaimrlx
jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Like most of us, I work a full time office job. Granted my hours are different, it's still a full, pre-planned 8 hours.

My go-to meal:
Skillet fajitas (chicken or pork, green pepper, onion, pico, garlic & LOTS of cayenne)
Steamed broccoli
Mandarin

Snacks:
Carrots
Wholly Guacamole (100 cal packs, that's more than enough!)
Trail Mix
Mandarins (if not in the meal already)

Drinks:
WATER!
Unsweetened Lemon Iced Tea (in a thermos)
Hot Black Tea


What's your go-to for work?

:glasses:
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Replies

  • JamieM8168
    JamieM8168 Posts: 248 Member
    Keep at desk:
    water
    peanut butter
    granola
    crackers
    peanuts

    Bring in daily:
    TONS of veggies raw or cooked or a salad
    string cheese

    I change it up sometimes adding or taking out some things but those are mostly my everyday foods
  • LisaGod85
    LisaGod85 Posts: 47 Member
    I drive an hour to work for my 8-5 and so I eat breakfast at work as well.

    Lately I've discovered I really love Quinoa for lunch.

    Breakfast:

    I keep a container of cooked egg whites I pop in the microwave for breakfast.

    Lunch:

    Quinoa with half a chicken breast as a base - so versatile!
    I'll add: cucumbers and garlic vinegrette, or home made guac, or spaghetti sauce, or indian sauces, etc

    At my desk I keep unsalted or lightly salted organic nuts and apples.
  • Spook_Nuke_Em
    Spook_Nuke_Em Posts: 408 Member
    At desk: Water, water & water. Pop chips 1/2 serving.

    Bring: Atkins shake (I'm not on extreme low carb diet) I like the taste, and they're filling. Chicken in a can (like tuna) mixed with minimal amount of mayo. Add pickles and peppercinnis (sp?). Or actual Tuna the same way. Soup, an assortment of different Progresso Light soups that I keep here at the office.

    And more things that escape me right now :)
  • scottibb
    scottibb Posts: 1
    I bring lowfat cottage cheese and either tomatoes or baby carrots pretty much every day. For snacks I have nonfat Greek yogurt, sometimes fruit and sometimes Kay's Naturals or Medifast protein snacks.
  • jaimrlx
    jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
    Those are all good suggestions!

    I generally keep tuna in a pouch, trail mix and some super dark chocolate at my desk. Sunflower seeds, too.

    I make my food every day before I go to work, but I don't work in the morning so I could see that being a roadblock for some.
  • Jonesie1984
    Jonesie1984 Posts: 612 Member
    morning snack: Protein shake and small banana

    Today's lunch : 96% lean ground beef, 1 oz mild cheddar cheese, 3 tbs salsa, 0.5 oz tortilla chips

    afternoon snack: Kind Bar (Fruit and nut)

    *I used to have a small jar of Nutella at my desk.. FAIL!!! I kept dipping into it haha. I keep a couple Kashi bars and unsalted nuts at my desk if I get hungry outside of my scheduled snacks.
  • HealthWoke0ish
    HealthWoke0ish Posts: 2,078 Member
    Main meat: Chicken
    Main sides: Quinoa, lentils, carrots
    Main snacks: carrots, edamame, string cheese
    Main daydream: Pizza Hut Meatlovers Pizza, Christina Hendricks and/or Gisele Bündchen (bringing me a box of apple fritters)
  • elysia319
    elysia319 Posts: 6
    In my desk - raw almonds, canned chicken, pouched tuna, popcorn, rice cakes, almond butter and uncle bens brown rice microwave containers.
    Breakfast i have at home usually oatmeal, peanut butter and protein powder.
    Lunch usually protein like chicken, fish, turkey burger with veggies and a card like brown rice or microwave sweet potatoe.
    Snacks usually are Fage greek yogurt with cinnamon and apples. or almond butter with plain rice cakes.
  • HealthWoke0ish
    HealthWoke0ish Posts: 2,078 Member
    At desk: Water, water & water. Pop chips 1/2 serving.

    Bring: Atkins shake (I'm not on extreme low carb diet) I like the taste, and they're filling. Chicken in a can (like tuna) mixed with minimal amount of mayo. Add pickles and peppercinnis (sp?). Or actual Tuna the same way. Soup, an assortment of different Progresso Light soups that I keep here at the office.

    And more things that escape me right now :)

    Ever try that olive oil mayo? That's my favorite right now. I put that in my chicken or tuna along with jalapeno and pickles (or some brands sell a jalapeno pickle, which is pretty good) :)
  • carbar90
    carbar90 Posts: 60 Member
    I make my lunch the day before.. I work and go to University 6 days a week so being organized is really important.

    I try and switch it up every day.. sometimes I'll bring leftovers like Quinoa or make fried rice (left over brown rice, a bunch of peppers, broccoli, carrots, onion and an egg all fried), Tuna sandwich (tuna, greek yogurt, lemon juice, pepper), Spring Salad w/ avocado (salmon on salad or mixed beans)

    for snacks: almonds, rice crackers, carrots and celery, homemade protein bars, apples and bananas, raw broccoli, yogurt, if I'm at work I'll bring hemp protein, spinach, greek yogurt and a banana to make a protein shake :)
  • HealthWoke0ish
    HealthWoke0ish Posts: 2,078 Member
    In my desk - raw almonds, canned chicken, pouched tuna, popcorn, rice cakes, almond butter and uncle bens brown rice microwave containers.
    Breakfast i have at home usually oatmeal, peanut butter and protein powder.
    Lunch usually protein like chicken, fish, turkey burger with veggies and a card like brown rice or microwave sweet potatoe.
    Snacks usually are Fage greek yogurt with cinnamon and apples. or almond butter with plain rice cakes.

    I read this but all I could think was Elysia is hot, Elysia is hot, Elysia is hot
  • jaimrlx
    jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
    Main meat: Chicken
    Main sides: Quinoa, lentils, carrots
    Main snacks: carrots, edamame, string cheese
    Main daydream: Pizza Hut Meatlovers Pizza, Christina Hendricks and/or Gisele Bündchen (bringing me a box of apple fritters)

    Hahaha. My daydream consists of pizza, lemon bars, chocolate, pizza, and.. pizza. It's my favorite food! :flowerforyou:
  • HealthWoke0ish
    HealthWoke0ish Posts: 2,078 Member
    Main meat: Chicken
    Main sides: Quinoa, lentils, carrots
    Main snacks: carrots, edamame, string cheese
    Main daydream: Pizza Hut Meatlovers Pizza, Christina Hendricks and/or Gisele Bündchen (bringing me a box of apple fritters)

    Hahaha. My daydream consists of pizza, lemon bars, chocolate, pizza, and.. pizza. It's my favorite food! :flowerforyou:

    Haha. If you bring me a box of apple fritters, I will order you a pizza. :)
  • Summer_Lunatic
    Summer_Lunatic Posts: 543 Member
    Leftovers from dinner the night before.

    Tuna salad makes a nice snack or filler in the event there aren't enough leftovers.
  • megalin9
    megalin9 Posts: 771 Member
    I buy a rotisserie chicken on the weekend and use the breasts for 2 lunch meals during the week. My lunch for the remaining days comes from leftovers at home, usually chicken or pizza.

    I pack fruit almost daily - strawberries, grapes, blackberries.

    Snacks include: reduced fat peanut butter, low-fat string cheese, almonds, 100 calorie popcorn, and Nature Valley granola bars.

    I only drink water.
  • Jxnsmma
    Jxnsmma Posts: 919 Member
    I spend my lunch hour in the gym so I just drink a shake when Im done so I can spend the most time sweating :)
  • jaimrlx
    jaimrlx Posts: 426 Member
    I buy a rotisserie chicken on the weekend and use the breasts for 2 lunch meals during the week. My lunch for the remaining days comes from leftovers at home, usually chicken or pizza.

    I pack fruit almost daily - strawberries, grapes, blackberries.

    Snacks include: reduced fat peanut butter, low-fat string cheese, almonds, 100 calorie popcorn, and Nature Valley granola bars.

    I only drink water.

    The rotisserie chicken idea is fantastic! I've never thought of that before. Thank you for this!
  • dan_IRL
    dan_IRL Posts: 204 Member
    Lunch:
    *1/2 ham or turkey sandwich. 1 Slice sprouted wheat bread with the mustard of the day, 2oz of turkey or ham, sometimes some mixed greens leaves and onion slices
    *365 Woven Wheats
    *1cup cucumber and/or red pepper slices and/or carrot slices with 1oz homemade hummus
    *Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, onions, peppers, etc.
    *1/2cup some quinoa or other random grain concoction

    I try and do this at least 3 or 4 times a week. Allow myself to go out once a week.

    I also keep some random soups, raw almonds and bananas, oranges and apples at work for mid day munchies
  • ifaber
    ifaber Posts: 195 Member
    I just made some Bok Choy and Kale last night for the first time and fell in love. So from now on, my go to lunch will be a Bok Choy and Kale mixture with shrimp or fish and a sweet potato or quinoa (never tried it but keep hearing great things about it).
  • WRXymama
    WRXymama Posts: 342 Member
    Breakfast:

    90cal Fiber one bar (always in my desk
    OR
    FF Greek Yogurt

    Lunch:
    Tyson pre-cooked chicken breast (once in awhile add BBQ sauce or Franks to change it up)
    Frozen mix veggies

    I have been eating daily since last May, and it NEVER gets old.

    I dont snack at work, but drink the heck outta water with flavoring added.
  • wildfirediva
    wildfirediva Posts: 212
    Breakfast (at work) Protein Shake

    Lunch is usually leftovers (meat, veggies, salad). I also love the Wholy Guacamole 100cal packs.

    I bring a container of liquid egg whites on occasion and fix that up or I have been known to bring a dozen eggs (half boiled, half raw) and use them for breakfast lunch or snacks during the week.

    Especially love chopped hardboiled egg with tuna and some mustard. Sometimes I will bring in a quality bagged salad or spinach.

    Don't hate but I really enjoy sardines for lunch. Yes there are ways to enjoy them without getting the oil and they are not that "stinky" if you disposed of everything properly. They are higher in protein, trace minerals and have less mercury.

    My desk drawer....tea bags for hot tea, almonds or mixed nuts and a jar of peanut butter
  • bkelley32148
    bkelley32148 Posts: 279 Member
    I love salads; all different kinds but my favorite is an avocado, a red onion, romaine lettuce and salt/pepper. It's amazing.
  • Jonesie1984
    Jonesie1984 Posts: 612 Member

    The rotisserie chicken idea is fantastic! I've never thought of that before. Thank you for this!

    If you have a crockpot make your own it will save you tons its a weekly staple of mine.
  • madrose0715
    madrose0715 Posts: 463 Member
    I like the weight watchers flatbreads or some of the 'Healthy Choice' gourmet entree bowls as my main lunch. Snacks are dark chocolate almonds, fruit, greek yogurt, hummus with cut up veggies to dip.
  • MegdKel
    MegdKel Posts: 96 Member
    Breakfast:
    Baked oatmeal 'muffins'
    english muffin with turkey sausage & egg beaters
    berry protein shake with chia seeds

    Morning Snack:
    orange or granny smith apple slices with lemon juice on them.

    Lunch:
    I RARELY have time to eat it, but if I do, it's typically soup.

    I also keep raisins at work if I get hungry, the problem that I have is that I get so busy that I typically don't end up eating lunch until after I get home - which is fine I guess, because I don't realize that I'm hungry until I get home.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I bring leftovers most days. If no leftovers, it's usually a sandwich wrap (homemade) or cottage cheese with tomatoes and leafy greens. If I have a snack it's usually low sodium V8, dry roasted edamame or an apple.
  • junipearl
    junipearl Posts: 326 Member
    i like when i have leftovers from the night before to bring for lunch; i try to do that as much as possible

    aside from that, though:
    avocado & cucumber salads with either hemp hearts or tofu for protein
    tuna with veggies and rice
    eating right soups when i am really in a pickle (their split pea one is high protein, low cal, and delicious!)
    peanut butter sandwiches
    .... that's all i can think of right now

    my biggest focus is lots of fruit, veggies, and nuts for snacks throughout the day; usually a Vega bar as well.
    and breakfast: i always bring either plain greek yogurt with an assortment of things added to it (chia, hemp hearts, cinnamon, honey, berries, etc.) or some egg whites which i then add cheese, peppers, and other veggies to for a quick microwave omelette =) ETA: my 3rd breakfast option is a protein shake.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    I buy a rotisserie chicken on the weekend and use the breasts for 2 lunch meals during the week. My lunch for the remaining days comes from leftovers at home, usually chicken or pizza.

    I pack fruit almost daily - strawberries, grapes, blackberries.

    Snacks include: reduced fat peanut butter, low-fat string cheese, almonds, 100 calorie popcorn, and Nature Valley granola bars.

    I only drink water.

    Genius on the rotisserie chicken! I must start doing that.
  • DeeBrownBaker
    DeeBrownBaker Posts: 145
    I also eat breakfast at work: fat free yogurt or eggs

    Lunch : usually leftovers from dinner (meat and veggies) or smoked turkey spread from the deli in the building

    snacks: peanut butter, unsalted crackers. nuts, fat free sugar free jello

    to drink: water or occasionally an unsweetened iced tea with lemon
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    chicken avacodo salad. Replace mayo with mashed avocado and slap between to pieces of bread.

    Also, I love to make Chicken Tikka in grilling weather.

    Another favorite: Grilled salmon on a bed of spring mix salad. Topped off with sesame seeds.

    Another fave: Chicken Waldorf salad made from leftover rotisserie chicken.

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