Cold Lunch Ideas For Driving Job/Meal Prep?

LifeInTheBikeLane
LifeInTheBikeLane Posts: 345 Member
edited October 2017 in Recipes
My job keeps me on the road each day and limits my lunch options. I typically find myself eating lunch sitting in my parked car or have to skip lunch all together. I am going to purchase a large, plastic cooler/lunch box to store my snacks and lunches in from now on and do not have the ability to heat up meals.

When I had a desk job I would meal prep on Sundays but they were always things I could heat up. I have a bento box as well that used to be my heaven when I was 30lbs lighter, pre-driving job. I'm really looking for recipes I can maybe prep ahead on Sundays for the week and just grab and toss in my cooler each morning. I've tried doing vegetable salads (cold broccoli, zucchini...etc) but found them to turn pretty liquidy towards the end of the week so any suggestions are helpful...(Minus smoothies or granola bars...none of those ever fill me up and I'm typically starving within minutes)

Someone save me with some awesome ideas!

Replies

  • jondspen
    jondspen Posts: 253 Member
    Many people think it gross, or you'll get food poisoning from it (which you won't), but I can make a cold cut (turkey, ham, chicken) sandwich in the morning with mustard or a little olive oil mayo, lettuce, tomato, put in a zip lock bag, and as long as it's not on the dash with the Texas summer sun cooking it all day, it's perfectly fine to eat at lunch time. If you have a small cooler, then an ice pack and your snacks in there will be fine. Might not be fridge/freezer cold, but will keep for the 4 hours between leaving in the morning and lunch at 12pm. For veggies, some raw broccoli, carrots, etc and a small thing of hummus is my go to. Finally, on days where I don't pack, I will run into the grocery store, wal-mart, etc, and just do a lunch meal shopping spree (Kroger has a microwave in the deli section, so you can get a brown rice single serve cup for a serving of grains). Plenty of one serving healthy choices on the shelf to choose from (although a little high in sodium...but since I don't have high blood pressure, so not concerned about it).
  • ElizabethHanrahan
    ElizabethHanrahan Posts: 102 Member
    make cold cut sandwiches with the bread separate. you can get single serve packs of mustard and mayo too. I like to use hummus instead of mayo for a protein boost. if you do wraps, they don't have to be separate since the tortilla doesn't get soggy like bread. You could also use crackers instead of bread for a change.
  • bebeisfit
    bebeisfit Posts: 951 Member
    I like a cold or room temperature grain salad with roasted vegetables and simple lemon vinegrette. My go to is bulgur with chickpeas, roasted eggplant & red onion. You could also add bell peppers (im not a fan). Add feta and or pine nuts if you have the calories. Roasted chicken for more protein. Chopped fresh herbs add a nice element too.

    I love p b & j. Always have. I now only eat half a sandwich to cut calories. Add so.e fruit or raw vegetables.

    If you have a cooler you can bring cottage cheese, string cheese, cold salads, hard boiled eggs, yogurt.

    I used to be in my car all day and my cooler was used every day. Nothing worse than being out and about with only fast food options.
  • bebeisfit
    bebeisfit Posts: 951 Member
    And for warm meals consider a thermos. Buy a good one. Warm your food and toss in thermos.
  • LifeInTheBikeLane
    LifeInTheBikeLane Posts: 345 Member
    ElizabethHanrahan wrote: »
    make cold cut sandwiches with the bread separate.

    I should have mentioned that I work for a company that specializes in sandwiches...So I like to stay away from sandwiches since that's all I see, smell and taste during my trips around.

    Thanks for great ideas, guys! I've never considered buying a thermos but that would be a great idea once it gets cold out!

  • laur357
    laur357 Posts: 896 Member
    Think about leftovers you like cold too. Cold pizza and some fresh fruit. Sliced pork tenderloin or roast beef dipped in mustard. Cold noodle salads or pasta salad (I make orzo with feta, spinach, kalamata olives, olive oil & lemon - it's great cold). Shredded beef or pork in tortillas with salsa. Salmon patties - they freeze well, and are good cold.

    Dips or spreads - hummus, cheese, veggies, and crackers. Hard boiled eggs with sriracha. Apples and peanut butter or cheese.

    Also, some gas stations and convenience stores have microwaves for customers. Scope them out and eat your lunch in their parking lot!
  • aganey
    aganey Posts: 501 Member
    Boiled shrimp is good cold. Make it in a wrap with whole wheat tortilla, tomato, spinach leaves and a drizzle of ranch. All should stay perfectly fine in a cooler with ice packs for lunchtime. Or just eat it by itself with hummus and veggies on the side.
  • LauraTzu
    LauraTzu Posts: 2 Member
    Hot Logic Minis have a car adapter. You can also put frozen boxed lunches/dinners in it to heat. I did this a few days ago with an Amy's frozen lunch. Just stick the whole box in there and plug it in - works great. I love mine.
  • mic1018
    mic1018 Posts: 70 Member
    Chicken Salad with crackers and veggie sticks (carrots, celery, etc).....Hot Soup in a thermos - Or make up lunch packs with a couple of boiled eggs, a packet of mustard or mayo (for the eggs), veggie sticks, few slices of rolled deli meat, black olives, cheese cubes. Make up several and keep in the fridge. Easy and ready to go in the morning.

Categories