eating healthy when you're flat broke?

I'm going to be in a similar work situation. I am starting a new job where I will be on the road most of the day. When I had this type of job previously I gained 20 lbs due to developing bad eating habits (stopping at the gas station to go to the bathroom and buying a cookie and soda; Dollar menu at McD's, etc). I am trying to come up with different options this time around and may also need to adjust my mind set as to what a meal consists of. It helps to have a thermal bag (a must, IMO) and there are Thermos containers of various styles and sizes that are great for holding warm leftovers. I also saw a lunch sized crock pot container at Target the other day. Apparently you put the food in it, take the holder to work and plug it in then it will be warm by lunch. That won't work for me since I will be in the car, but the thermos could. Some ideas for lunches and snacks that I have come up with are:

-wraps (turkey, veggie, tuna)
-leftover soup in the thermos
-salads
-yogurt
-almonds
-fruit/veggies
-any other portable snack

I know that doesn't sound like much and I need more options to avoid getting bored. I also tend to have a hard time thinking of a meal of consisting of various snacks, but that might be the way to go.

Coolers are your friend!

Also as for healthy foods on a budget - beans, brown rice, eggs, and fun a local farmer's market for seasonal fresh fruits and veggies. All wholesome, healthy and filling.

I try and keep our household on a $60 per week grocery budget (there is just my husband and I in the house). The budget includes all household stuff like toothpaste, TP etc etc, so there isn't always $60 to go toward food. My top tips would be:

1. COOK MORE! We used to go out a couple of times a week, but it gets really expensive really quickly. So we try to home cook most meals. We eat a lot of soups (chicken, lentil, vegetable etc etc). I try and switch it up, but generally most of our soups contain a lot of carrots and potatoes and some kind of protein. You can also make in huge batches and freeze extras for lunches and dinners during the week.

2. Try not to waste food: If you are buying a bunch of stuff for salad, try and make sure you plan enough salads during the week to use up the food you have bought.

3. Write a menu for the week and stick to it! Write up your dinners and lunches and assign them to specific days. Yes, it's really boring and not very spontaneous, but if you plan ahead, it makes it easier to stick to what you have outlined. It also allows you to see where you can cut ingredients or share larger ingredients between different dishes in order to cut down on waste.

4. Buy seasonal produce. Your local grocery store will likely have specials on items that are in season. $5 for 4 apples? Kinda expensive. $1 for 5 kiwis, not so bad. Being aware of seasonal stuff will help you plan menus better and drastically reduce your grocery bill.

5. Collect coupons when you see them. Don't be tricked into spending more money on something you wouldn't normally buy i.e. a sale on 3 boxes of crackers for the price of 2. Seems like a good deal, but if you don't usually buy any, this "sale" is just eating into your budget.

I have a thought about dry beans. I haven't done this before, but from what I have worked with beans I think this would work. Soak the beans overnight. Drain and rinse in the morning. Then put them back on the stove with and bring it up to boiling water. Add your seasonings. Then place it in a thermos. I'm thinking by the time you eat lunch it would be cooked. try it out on a Saturday first to see if it works.

I always buy my fruit and veggies when they are on sale. There are a number of apples out there and it seems one variety is always on sale. That is the one I buy (unless it is red delicious which I can't stand).

With the insulated lunch bag or cooler you might want to check out Salad in a jar - http://www.salad-in-a-jar.com/how-to-make-salad-in-a-jar-2

I'm unfortunately going to repeat what a lot of people have already said.

1. insulated lunch bag.
2. Dollar stores are starting to carry a lot of produce.
3. become one with your ads and start hunting down best deals.
4. Avoid high carb food because they wont keep you full as long. Pack in that protein. It'll seem more expensive but you'll be consuming less. Always cook dinner so you have lunch for the next day.

Try getting use to eating cold food. Construction men all of the world do it every day.

Eating bro foods is actually pretty cheap.

tuna
oats
rice
beans
chicken breast tenderloins
pasta
fruits and veggies

All very cheap. It's the good stuff that seams to be high imo. If you go to markets like, "Food 4 Less" early they have manager specials on food that is a day old. I am always on the lookout for cheap meat (pause), that is usually the biggest expense for me. The carbs, fats, and veggies are cheaper and usually last much longer.

You could always try extreme couponing though. Right?