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

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

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!

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.

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

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

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!

Protein shake / smoothie.

@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.

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

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.