pack my own lunch

AbnormalSpring
AbnormalSpring Posts: 34 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I pack my own lunch for work and would like to have something difrent and healthy. Since january of 2013 I habe ate 2 bologna sandwitches and a sandwitch back of salt and vineger chips. Nothing difrent and no variety.

The reason I pack this is because I have to use a ice pack to keep my lunch fresh and well I really lack creativity. Breakfast and dinner are difrent as I can google some recipe's.

So I am hoping I can get some cheap and healthier ideas for my lunchs from now on. Also has to beable to survive if it gets warm for an hour or so as I pack my lunch at 4am and dont eat till 12pm.

Replies

  • elis_mama
    elis_mama Posts: 308 Member
    I pack my lunch and use ice packs, too. These are some of the things that I pack. Mason Jar salads (google these! Easy, conveneient and LOVE them!), fruit, veggies, summer sausage, cooked chicken, hardboiled eggs, tuna fish, egg salad, you get the picture. I mix it up and it's always very easy "snacky" type foods. That and plenty of water!
  • srogers89
    srogers89 Posts: 190 Member
    I try and cook my lunches for the week on a Sunday night, taking them out as I eat them. I usually cook some chicken and steamed vegetables, mixing up the seasoning/sauce on the chicken. I keep it in the fridge or ice pack and then heat it up in the microwave at lunch time. Do you have access to a microwave at all during your lunch break, because this will help you mix it up quite a bit!

    I also love sandwiches and usually like putting any leftover roast (pork/chicken/beef/turkey) in with some gravy and pop in the toaster at lunch time, if you use a lean cut of meat it usually isn't too overwhelming calorie wise.

    If no access to a microwave or toaster salads are great. I like to make taco salads using left over taco meat and crushing up taco shells on top, something a bit different and again if you use lean mince great for protein and keeping calories down.
  • crhloses
    crhloses Posts: 17 Member
    Here's a couple of suggestions from one of my favorite sites:

    http://www.thekitchn.com/pack-your-lunch-our-favorite-recipes-amp-tips-189606

    http://www.thekitchn.com/lunch-with-wee-163379

    There's already some good suggestions from other members. Hope you find something that fits your schedule and taste!
  • AbnormalSpring
    AbnormalSpring Posts: 34 Member
    Will definitly have to try the salad thing didnt think lettuce would last. I could try to cook a weeks worth of food not sure I will might do a few days at a time.

    I have access to 1 of 6 microwaves and never tried to get to one. They think its smart to have 1 break room with 20 chairs and 6 microwaves in it and have all 300 or so employees break for the same 30 minutes. So I just sit down and eat at my work station.

    EDIT: Ok the mason jar thing is cool I didnt know you could bake with them. I could make 5 small casseroles cook them al, at once and be good with out make alot of difrent things. Chicken pot pie!!!!!!!
  • Swiftlet66
    Swiftlet66 Posts: 729 Member
    Why not switch up the sandwiches with some wraps or burrito? Hummus, turkey, beans, rice, whatever veggies you want. They also don't need to be reheated. Replace the side of chips with some fruit, granola bars, or nuts.
  • katmix
    katmix Posts: 296 Member
    Will definitly have to try the salad thing didnt think lettuce would last. I could try to cook a weeks worth of food not sure I will might do a few days at a time.

    I have access to 1 of 6 microwaves and never tried to get to one. They think its smart to have 1 break room with 20 chairs and 6 microwaves in it and have all 300 or so employees break for the same 30 minutes. So I just sit down and eat at my work station.

    Crock Pot makes a lunch-sized warmer with pullout container, that you can plug in at your desk/work area. Perfect for soup/casserole etc that is already cooked and you just want it warmed when you have time to eat. You could cook for a few days at a time (or a few weeks at a time-and freeze the leftovers.)

    One of my students gave me one for Christmas this past year-and my son absconded with it (and loves it!) :)

    Found on Amazon: Crock-Pot SCCPLC200-BL 20-Ounce Lunch Crock Food Warmer, Blue

    12029845.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • srogers89
    srogers89 Posts: 190 Member
    Sometimes I cook just 2 or 3 days worth and intersperse them with buying something or the leftovers from the night before.

    The other great meal idea I have is homemade pita bread pizzas, everyone likes cold pizza right! I don't normally take these for lunch, usually leave a few slices in the fridge as a snack.
  • hungreeteacher17
    hungreeteacher17 Posts: 135 Member
    Sounds like it might be tough to get to a microwave. I pack for lunch as well, but I don't feel that lettuce holds up well with an ice pack. I use spinach in place of lettuce in salads and pack toppings separately. Do you like yogurt? I freeze individual cups of yogurt and bring those along with fruits, trail mix, popcorn, peanut butter crackers, etc.
  • AbnormalSpring
    AbnormalSpring Posts: 34 Member
    Sounds like it might be tough to get to a microwave. I pack for lunch as well, but I don't feel that lettuce holds up well with an ice pack. I use spinach in place of lettuce in salads and pack toppings separately. Do you like yogurt? I freeze individual cups of yogurt and bring those along with fruits, trail mix, popcorn, peanut butter crackers, etc.

    Does yougurt taste and feel the same when it thaws back out?
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    All natural peanut butter sandwich. Skippy has a smooth or crunchy all natural peanut butter with honey that fills you up. I have gone thru jars of it during this weight loss journey and often mid day when I get hungry I will just take a tablespoon or two, cures the hunger pangs, and you eat less for dinner.

    Who ever said Peanut butter was not good for weight loss was out of their minds.

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