Bag Lunch Options?

klikittyklak
klikittyklak Posts: 144
edited September 19 in Food and Nutrition
Hello all, I am in need of your wisdom and advice!

Most days I have class from 9am-6pm, with a short break for lunch. It is not really enough time to go out and find something or to go home, so most days I stay close to the school. The cafe at school has some healthier options, but they are usually sold out before my lunch break. Thus I have to resort to eating a croissant (this is France, they never run out of those!) or something from the vending machines. Needless to say, this is not ideal. I don't have a scale, but I feel as though I've gained a kilo, and I'm sure it's due to these kinds of habits! :explode:

My question to you is, what can I bring for lunch that is healthy, filling, and will keep? I do not have access to a refrigerator, but might to a microwave. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • klikittyklak
    klikittyklak Posts: 144
    Hello all, I am in need of your wisdom and advice!

    Most days I have class from 9am-6pm, with a short break for lunch. It is not really enough time to go out and find something or to go home, so most days I stay close to the school. The cafe at school has some healthier options, but they are usually sold out before my lunch break. Thus I have to resort to eating a croissant (this is France, they never run out of those!) or something from the vending machines. Needless to say, this is not ideal. I don't have a scale, but I feel as though I've gained a kilo, and I'm sure it's due to these kinds of habits! :explode:

    My question to you is, what can I bring for lunch that is healthy, filling, and will keep? I do not have access to a refrigerator, but might to a microwave. Any suggestions?
  • elliott062907
    elliott062907 Posts: 1,508 Member
    invest in a few small freezer packs first.

    breakfast and lunch....

    today I have a small activia yogurt drink
    dannon active small yogurt
    organic apple juice
    2 diet teas, green tea and white peach
    1 water
    1 cheese burger patty in a low carb wrap
    1 cup grapes
    1 cup sliced apples
  • klikittyklak
    klikittyklak Posts: 144
    I can't keep any of those things without a fridge... except the fruit.
  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    Do you have access to ice packs-they are typically squares filled with a blue looking jelly usually found near lunch boxes at stores. These will keep your food cold enough to heat it later and be fresh.

    If not...do they sell the pouches of tuna - tuna, crackers, fresh whole fruit, cereal bars (Kashi or Nutrigrain)

    Just some thoughts...
  • mlillie
    mlillie Posts: 302
    mmmm crossiants......

    What about one of the press sandwiches that you have with veggies and tuna OR

    I also have the same situation and I sometimes bring a ice pack with me and a little bag cooler. I also bring cut up veggies, frozen grapes (I eat these and use them as ice), crackers, a few slices of cheese, some nuts, OR leftover rice and dahl from the night before.

    Planning and thinking ahead is key to me.

    Good luck!
  • alf1163
    alf1163 Posts: 3,143 Member
    Ohh la la!!!!!! Paris!!!! What a beautiful city!!!

    I wonder if they sell those tuna creations there. I usually have those for lunch and pack some crackers to go with it. I also add a fruit to the mix and perhaps a homemade trail mix. Like others said, cut up veggies. You can also pack a sandwich. Anything is safe out of the refrigerator for 4 hrs at the most. I am sure you don't go more than 4 hrs from eating.

    Good luck!! And I noticed your banner, congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • klikittyklak
    klikittyklak Posts: 144
    Nope, not Paris, sadly. I am in a town in the alps, not far from both Switzerland and Italy.
    As for class, I go without a break for.. exactly four hours, 9am-1pm so it should be ok, thanks!

    And the ice pack ideas are good in theory, I am not sure we have those here. I will look at Carrefour later this week. :smile:
  • kistinbee
    kistinbee Posts: 3,688 Member
    You could take apple slices with some natural peanut butter, baby carrots, almonds, Peanut butter and sugar free jelly sandwich, rice cakes, Kashi bar or Luna bar...yummy and filling, soup...you can buy in single servings and if there is a microwave somewhere...

    And I agree with alf on the tuna packs!

    That's all I've got! But yes, if you can find ice packs, they work GREAT! Good luck! I LOVE France!:heart:
  • battykatty2002
    battykatty2002 Posts: 32
    Just an idea for ice packs,

    Capri sun juice drinks are in a foil pack, you can freeze them and use them as your ice pack they stay cold for a good 4 - 6 hours and will keep your food fresh, and when it melts you have a cold refreshing drink,
  • AJCM
    AJCM Posts: 2,169 Member
    Lunch bag/box with ice packs... then....

    Salads with grilled chicken and loads of veggies....

    Whole Wheat tortilla smeared with peanut butter, and then roll a banana inside - like a PB& banana burrito! This is recommended on the ABS diet, and is delish!

    Hummus with veggie sticks for dipping (or roll it all into a tortilla with some grilled chicken).
  • psyknife
    psyknife Posts: 487 Member
    Yes, definitely get in insolated lunch pack... refrigerators are not needed for packed lunches... in schools kids bring their lunches all the time and they don't have fridges to put them in.

    One of my favorite sandwiches as of late includes:
    2 slices whole wheat bread
    about 4 slices of sliced turkey or chicken
    2 tbsp hummus
    2 slices tomato
    2 slices of onion
    spinach leaves (as many as you want)
    and you can also add 1 slice of cheese of your choice

    This sandwich will keep just fine if you put it in an insolated lunch pack.

    I also bring fruit with me every day... and a protein bar for an afternoon snack.
    Sometimes I'll also keep turkey jerky on hand.
  • klikittyklak
    klikittyklak Posts: 144
    Yes, definitely get in insolated lunch pack... refrigerators are not needed for packed lunches... in schools kids bring their lunches all the time and they don't have fridges to put them in.

    Yep, I did that in elementary school in the States too, it's just France is...different. There are not as many options available as there are in the US.

    Thanks for all the suggestions!
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