Lunch Ideas for Work

I like to make a big batch of something on Sunday so that I can bring it for lunch with me all week and not have to worry about making something every day. Here are a few things I make, that can easily be heated up in the microwave or eaten cold:

- Pasta salad with veggies (whole wheat pasta with lots of veggies and a light olive oil drizzle, seasoned with basil and oregano - so good!)
- Rice and beans with spinach - this week's lunch
- Whole wheat pasta with organic tomato sauce
- Veggie casserole
- Split pea soup

It works well for me because I'm always on the go in the evenings and in a rush in the mornings, so if I can just grab something pre-made out of the fridge, I'm all set!

I teach, so my lunch options are limited. I cook, weigh,and package my lunches Sunday night. It's currently:

8oz chicken boob seasoned with adobo
4oz quinoa
12oz broccoli

I work on a college campus so there is everything under the sun. I find that stocking my desk with quick and easy is the way to go. Like I bring light soups and freezer meals so that I have plenty of options. I also try to bring my own snack (Fiber One 90 Cal Lemon Bars are my fave right now) but I also bring baby carrots, diced bell peppers and hummus or snap peas

Homemade Veggie Soup (broth, any veggies you like, some beans, seasonings).
Spinach Salad with some leftover chicken, turkey or ham in it, lots of veggies, 1Tbsp of dressing (measured out)
Something sweet, like 100 calorie snack pack of cookies or something like that.

The whole lunch will be under 400 calories and should fill you up and leave you satisfied!

Well...if you like sandwiches (which is totally my weakness!) when you go out to eat, I would suggest getting the fiber one low calorie breads!! They have wraps which are only 90 cals (with which to make a nice spinach and chicken wrap) and I think they have english muffins and regular old bread that's low calorie.
Just make sure when adding your goodies like cheese, to get the low fat cheese. I eat TONS of chicken. And a nice chicken sandwich really does the trick for me. If you're a fried type of girl, make home made sweet potato fries!! they're banginnnn! For dipping I use honey mustard. you can actually look up some cool recipes for sweet potato fry sauce

I have also brought the Star-Kist ready made Tuna salad with crackers kit for lunch. Very fast and easy!

Another thing I have been enjoying lately is a salad that consists of; Spring Mix, Dried Cranberries, Feta Cheese, Glazed Walnuts, and Lite Balsmic/Vinegar salad dressing. (Try it, you'll love it that combination is a great taste treat).

I agree, the Fiber One 90 calorie bar's are great! Another thing that I eat for either Breakfast or a snack is the Nabisco Belvita soft baked Oats & chocolate, or Bannana bars. (200 Calories, but very filling)

I bring fresh fruit, Pinapple, Grapes (put in the freezer they are awesome) Apples, oranges, or Frozen Green Giant Vegetable Medleys!

Planning ahead is the key for me. I always make my lunch before I go to bed, so I am not tempted when the co-workers go out and pick something up. Chopped Salad today - with tomatoes, red onion, 3oz grilled chicken, 1 tbsp gorgonzola cheese, 1/4 avocado, 2 slices of crumbled turkey bacon. I will toss it with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and vinegar. They will be jealous.

I bring salads almost every day. I know it's so easy to think that's "blah," but there are sooooooo many endless things you can do to them. I always do a protein, lots of veggies, and some homemade dressing, and then usually throw on some cheese and/or some "extras." But, there's like infinite possibilities. I usually end up bringing the same/similar salad for a whole week to be able to use up the ingredients, but that's often enough to change it up for me. Think interesting proteins beyond just grilled chicken breast (salmon, shrimp, steak, taco-seasoned ground turkey or beef, chicken/spinach/feta burgers crumbled up, fajita- or Asian-style/seasoned chicken or beef, Italian cold cuts - a LOT of times I use leftover protein from dinner the night before and throw them on a salad the next day), any kind of cheese, toppings beyond just croutons (bacon, nuts or seeds, dried or fresh fruit, quinoa or other cooked grains, crispy onions or tortilla strips, olives, edamame)...I mean, honestly, there's ridiculous options. It's SO easy to pack something that's full of protein, fiber, micronutrients AND flavor that keeps you full for a long time and clocks in at under 400-ish calories.

Try some from this list! My fiancé tried the roast beef yesterday and loved it, and I made myself the turkey wrap today.

http://greatist.com/health/35-quick-and-healthy-low-calorie-lunches

I eat an open-face egg sandwich almost every day for lunch. Over the weekend, I hard-boil 10 eggs and take them to work with me. Then, for lunch, I toast two pieces of 40-calorie bread. Then, I spread a small amount of light mayonnaise on the toast (by spreading it directly on the bread, you use WAY less than if you try to actually mix it into the eggs). Then I chop up one egg onto each piece of toast, sprinkle with a little salt - and voila - a high protein, reasonably caloried lunch that doesn't have a bunch of fake food in it.

turkey meatballs or cottage cheese and peaches. Sometimes a just couple of weight watchers string cheese and I use my calories at night.

Sunday food prep and planning for the week is key!

Black Bean Burgers
Hard Boiled Eggs
Sandwich size bags of all kinds of cut up veggies (celery, cucumber, peppers, zuccini, string beans, broccoli)
Greek Yogurt Cups - Plain or vanilla
Boiled/Baked Chicken for Salads/Sandwiches
Steamable frozen bags of Veggies (if you like lean cuisines, add an entire bag to your lean cuisine - instant more than full size meal!)
Fruit - 1 apple and 1 banana a day
Turkey Jerkey for protien
Egg Whites can be cooked in the microwave - just watch they don't blow up and you can add veggies for an instant omlette.

Breakfast or Breakfast for lunch! - prep steal cut oats and bag up a snack size bag with berries, 1 hard boiled egg and 1 hard boiled egg white. Or a cup of cherrios, kix or rice chex and 10 almonds in a snack size bag.

Of course keep all of your portions carbs/fats/protien in check for your needs.

Good luck!