what can I bring to lunch thats healthy?

This link might be helpful to spark some ideas - http://bodyforlife.com/library/food-list. I usually go with a tuna or turkey sandwich, turkey chili, or some leftovers from the previous night's dinner.

For eating out, you can do ok with Chipotle (although high in sodium), and they have an online calculator http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator

Panera also seems to have some reasonable choices, and also has a nutrition calc http://www.paneranutrition.com/

I guess I was pretty extreme, but I would cook a bunch of chicken breasts on sunday and prewas fruit and veggies and portion them out in little baggies. I kept a bowl and fork at work.

On lunch I would heat up my chicken breast and steam some veggies. Snacks were fruit and nuts as needed.

Another alternative is a salad with chicken on top. Or a tortilla with chicken and veggies and cheese.

Biggest helper was doing all the cooking on Sunday so it was ready to go on my way to work.

Really, there is no way to eat out and have it be as healthy as anything you can make yourself. But, if you do go out, salads (but watch the portion, and watch the dressings and anything else you add... the calories add up quick!). You can also get a lean cut of chicken, turkey or fish, usually with steemed veggies. Watch out for any appetizers. Remember that broth based is better than creamy, and try to not drink your calories.

Hope it helps!

Most food you bring is going to be healthier because you prepared it...I bought a George Forman grill for work..I sometimes cook frozen fish, and have loads of veggies in the freezer that are microwave ready. I keep fruit handy for snacking, hummus, and of course water! >LOL Eating out I usually just say no, but when its a must I always have broiled meat, salad, veggies...or go to subway...At best you can always ask for your meal to be prepared differently than what they prepare it. Also google the menu and the caloric content and choose what you are going to have before you get there!....=)Good luck!

bump

I always consume far fewer calories by taking my lunch and snacks from home rather than eating out or hitting vending machines or the ubiquitous copy room snacks.

What I take to snack on: Dannon light & fit yogurt (the raspberry goji and blueberry acai 4 pack are my favorites, and vanilla), string cheese, apples (cameo are my favorite variety) and OCCASIONALLY Emerald almonds but I keep that just occasionally because I eat too many of them if they're available! Also 100 calorie packs of popcorn.

Lunch = simple salad on top of the prewashed and torn lettuces, and whatever veggies I have on hand piled on top. Sprayed with balsamic breeze spray. Another thing I have occasionally are either Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine entrees - sometimes high in sodium.

It helps to drink a 16 - 20 oz. water bottle every 2 - 3 hours throughout the day too. Have fun and good luck!

Best recipe ever, just came up with it last week:

Steam some chicken in slow cooker with veggies (all sorts) in liquid while you make long grain brown rice on stove top. Burn the hell out of a few slices of turkey bacon to super crispy. Chop it all up. Add 1 egg, some bread crumbs, spices, some of the juices from the chicken - mix it all up. Cut off tops to some peppers, stuff the hell out of them. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.

Mine came out to 286 calories per serving (I actually did measure every ingredient). Makes the perfect meal, Veggies, meat, rice!!! YUMMMMMMM! Took about 2 hours total. Did it on a Sunday while doing laundry in between. I do ALL my weeks cooking on Sunday. Portioning out lunches for M-F and having plenty of precooked dinners is key to MY success. I work late and train late. Try not to eat too late.