Foods for Lunch

Dry beans are cheap and filling. Also, don't get the packets of oatmeal, get the big tub and make it yourself. Add in some cinnamon for flavor and maybe a tsp. of brown sugar. You can do that at breakfast and as a snack. Have a more filling breakfast, add some eggs for fat and protein. If you see meat on sale for a good price, buy it. Freeze it, it'll keep for a couple of months. You could also get one of those rotisserie chickens from the grocer deli and have that for a couple of days. Shred some chicken into some eggs for breakfast, on a sandwich or salad for lunch, then with some frozen veggies for dinner. Also, while I prefer frozen to canned, canned veggies are super cheap.

sounds like me. if u could cook that would be awesome because i would go to work but before getting therei would stop at panera or subway for breakfast then lunch would be at 1230. so in between that time im hungry then when i go to lunch i pig out on chipotle or something greasy and fattening then when i got home which was around 6 i would pig out again. try drinking more water, try granola bars, smoothies, nuts or something in between breakfast and lunch that will hold u over. its hard but we can do it

Cheese...it lasts quite a while, and it's filling. It has protein. You can even find it on sale...at least one brand should be on sale.

Also, if you have a bulk section...look for nuts. Healthy fats. Protein. Long shelf life. Winnings all around.

Good luck!

The grocery stores that have rotisserie chicken put them on sale every evening at about 6:00pm. You can get a whole chicken for about $4.00. No cooking and high protein. Hope this helps!

I like granola bars in between meals, well as yogurt (and fruit but I know that you mentioned that it's a no go.) Also hummus with baby carrots (which are cheap and last a long time in the fridge), celery, or some pretzels. Target has a brand called Archer Farms that makes awesome all natural fruit bars- you could try those instead of fresh fruit since they would last a long time. Or you can could buy all natural applesauce. 100 calorie bags of popcorn are an idea as well. Low fat string cheese. You can freeze grapes- that way they don't go bad and they are yummy frozen.

The thing is I don't cook. I can't cook it pretty much ends in disaster every time and I eat my breakfast at work because I start work at eight thirty and have to walk there and it's just easier to eat once I get there. So eggs wouldn't really work out well for me, even though they are good Also what is wrong with packaged oatmeal?

Packaged oatmeal isn't bad, getting a huge tube of oats, some cinamon and light brown sugar is just cheaper. No cooking involved. I do overnight oats.

1/2 cup oats
a few dashes of cinamon
1 to 2 tsp brown sugar
1 cup water (or if you want to splurge almond milk, it last forever and doesnt take much, it's what I use)
mix it all together in a bowl with lid the night beofre and put it in the fridge.

The next morning simply take it to work and eat it as is or cook it in the microwave for a few minutes to get it the temp you like.

i was also dieting on a budget and i can also attest to the oatmeal tub. you can buy a tub of the quick cook oats and microwave it, i used to do that (way cheaper then the indvl packets). also you can cook eggs in the microwave - i havent done it personally but i know it can be done, a friend of mine does it all the time.

as for cheap fruits bananas are really cheap - you can get them at places like trader joes for 19cent a piece or even a bag of small apples they have in the market for $3.

another good snack is just nuts, not trail mix, unless your ok with the added dried fruits and chocolates. the nuts have the fiber and added protein that will keep you full.

yogurt is also a cheap and easy snack or meal, you can get them as cheap as .50 cents or a large yogurt for like $3 and portion out also cheaper, and mix in some granola, cereal or nuts for an added crunch. (stretches the granola/ cereal rather than eating it with milk)

also cheap are carrots, sometimes baby carrots, sometimes the large ones that you have to peel and cut, but they are a good snack along with a little salad dressing or hummus. i also like radishes, very cheap and low cal and yummy snack, but i know many people dont like them lol. or a very simple salad of just spinach greens, buy a bag sometimes around $2 and portion out some spinach which you can sautee or just eat raw with some dressing as a small app with dinner or your sammie.

So there are a lot of options just keep your eye open for the deal and work with your budget :happy:

I keep a jar of peanut butter at work...when I'm really hungry, I just scoop a spoonful out of the jar and pop it in my mouth....not too expensive, and it holds me over until dinner. If I let myself get too hungry, I have a sugar drop, get shaky and have been known to pass out....the peanut butter really helps with that too.

The thing is I don't cook. I can't cook it pretty much ends in disaster every time and I eat my breakfast at work because I start work at eight thirty and have to walk there and it's just easier to eat once I get there. So eggs wouldn't really work out well for me, even though they are good Also what is wrong with packaged oatmeal?

You can do beans in the crock pot and eggs in the microwave. There is nothing wrong with pre-packaged oatmeal, but you said you're on a budget. You can get it fairly cheap, I know I've seen a box of Better Oats for like $1 for 5 or 6 packets, but you can get a GIANT tub for $2-3, and that will last you at least 2 weeks, so it's more budget conscious.

Agree with the beans in the crock pot. You can add lean raw meat or smoked sausage/kilbasa/hillshire farm prepared meats while it's cooking to add additional flavor and protein.

You can hard boil eggs - put eggs in pot w/cold water to cover the eggs plus an inch, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, set on med-high * bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover with lid, let sit 15 minutes, rinse with cold water, refrigerate, keeps about a week.

From what you describe, you're not getting enough protein which satisfies longer than carbs.

The thing is I don't cook. I can't cook it pretty much ends in disaster every time and I eat my breakfast at work because I start work at eight thirty and have to walk there and it's just easier to eat once I get there. So eggs wouldn't really work out well for me, even though they are good Also what is wrong with packaged oatmeal?

Do you have a microwave at work? Crack 2 eggs into a coffee cup, mix them together with a fork. Mircowave 1-2 minutes depending upon your machine ....... start by cooking 1 minute ..... fluff with fork and cook longer if needed..

Oatmeal ..... add a spoonful of peanut butter. The fat content (healthy fat) will keep you full longer. Look for a "weight control" oatmeal .... this has more fiber & added protein (even a store brand will cost more than plain oatmeal).

Frozen veggies are fairly inexpensive..... if you have a mircrowave at work these can be cooked easily.

The thing is I don't cook. I can't cook it pretty much ends in disaster every time and I eat my breakfast at work because I start work at eight thirty and have to walk there and it's just easier to eat once I get there. So eggs wouldn't really work out well for me, even though they are good Also what is wrong with packaged oatmeal?

Packaged oatmeal is more expensive. You can buy a big tub of plain oatmeal and add in spices. Saves you money so you can snack on something later on.

Do you have a microwave? Potatoes are super cheap. You can buy the small ones and microwave a potato as a snack. Top with a tabelspoon of greek yogurt or something similar. And when I buy the sweet potatoes, I eat them plain, actually. I know potatoes get a bad rap because of the low-carb fad, but potatos are actually a nutritious snack, especially if you eat the skin. And you can get very creative with the toppings.

You might also check out the frozen fruit options at your grocery store or buy the clementines or navel oranges when they are available in the bag. Sometimes it's only 6 dollars for fruit that will last you a week or more.

You can also microwave Old Fashioned Oat Meal. I do it every day. It probably costs about 6 cents per meal. Just put 1/2 cup oatmeal and one cup water in a bowl (big bowl) and microwave for about 2 - 3 minutes (stop it before it boils over). I have been known to use oatmeal as a low-cal, filling snack, too.

As P.S. - don't give up on yourself with regard to cooking. Try tackling one item per week. Being able to cook will take you a long way!