Work Lunches

msjamartin
msjamartin Posts: 148
edited October 2 in Recipes
Okay...I'm just getting bored and sick of the frozen low-calorie meals for lunch. My favorites are the new steamers from Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine but there are not enough options to keep me from getting bored. The other non-steamer meals are way higher in sodium and I'd like to cut back some ( I know they add sodium to "diet" foods for flavor but come on can't they get more creative with the herbs and seasonings.sheesh!)

So, with fall I will be bringing back low-sodium soup with salads for work, mixed with some of the steamer meals. My question - What other options for work lunches do you suggest? I do have access to a freezer/fridge but they are SOOO full and somewhat disgusting (aren't all work fridges?) that I need options to put in my lunch bag that are quick and easy to prepare the night before.

Suggest away!
«1

Replies

  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    skinnytaste.com :D
  • Kambriasgranny
    Kambriasgranny Posts: 35
    I feel your pain. I try to 'pack' a lunch everyday and have found that if I grill boneless skinless chicken breasts on the weekend, I make enough to have for lunch a few days too. I also eat salami and cheese cubes, even adding a cracker or two sometimes. I also willpack cubed fruit, cantaloupe, watermelon, necterines, etc. Those round whole grain thin breads are great with some deli sliced turkey and spicy mustard. Good Luck!!!
  • jlowensby
    jlowensby Posts: 142
    My co-workers and I were just talking about this this afternoon. She is getting tired of Salads at lunch...I told her she can spice it up by bringing other healthy alternatives...she doesn't know what else to do.

    I, myself, usually Mon-Thurs bring a baby spinach salad, with grilled chicken, basil cherry tomatoes, and kidney beans, a fruit, and today a 1/2 cup of soup..then Fri I let myself bring a lean cuisine sandwich in....

    Other times I have brought in a lean piece of mean, baggie of raw veggies, some fruit, and low fat cottage cheese...I just alternate so I don't get bored...but I agree some different options would be great. I always try to have fresh raw veggies and fresh fruit at lunch...
  • sblair77
    sblair77 Posts: 355 Member
    I pack a little grocery bag full of different items to eat all week. That way I can choose from my favs what I want each day.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    Sandwiches. Chili. Leftovers from home. Those frozen meals should be a last resort for emergencies basically.
  • rmsrws
    rmsrws Posts: 639 Member
    tuna that comes in a pouch needs no refrigeration. Just score some packets of mayo from some fast food joints and keep in desk.
  • tuffytuffy1
    tuffytuffy1 Posts: 920 Member
    Once a week, I make a big salad with all the fixings (red peppers, carrots, celery, onions), then I also make a bunch of hard boiled eggs and drain a can of tuna. I bring it in and have salad for two days that week using half a can of the tuna and 1 of the eggs, along with the salad. I also use Newman's Own Light Italian, it is very good! The whole thing is about 280 calories :)

    I also will buy a loaf of Wonder Smart White bread and turkey, and bring that in with cucumbers, onions, jalepenos, etc., and spread a wedge of garlic and herb Laughing Cow Lite cheese on the bread, and stack it all up. Super yummy!
  • SaraEWrig
    SaraEWrig Posts: 88 Member
    Just a few of my recent work lunches. . .

    leftover steak over mixed greens with broccoli and garbanzo beans

    tuna with whole grain crackers

    baked potato with cottage cheese
  • amandavee
    amandavee Posts: 6 Member
    I'm in need of some low cal snacks for work too? I work in a mexican restaurant and it's so hard to not eat the food that "goes dead" when it's soooo good. I've been trying to bring yogurt to work but it's hard to resist! Suggestions?
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Add me as a friend, I have lots of ideas, I am at work, will post more later!
  • rachmaree
    rachmaree Posts: 782 Member
    Do you have access to a microwave? If so, I'd just cook extra when you make dinner and take leftovers. Otherwise, add different spiced chicken to salads, tuna and wraps. If you like sandwiches, get some good bread and get creative with sandwich fillings. Thinly slice and roast some veggies and spread with hummus. Try to eat protein to keep you full :) The lunches at our school seem to be getting worse (and the kids haven't even started coming yet), I may start to take my own lunch also, but I'll have to be better planned. We don't have a microwave, unfortunately, otherwise it would be easy.

    Good luck!
  • CrystalFlury
    CrystalFlury Posts: 400 Member
    I know this sounds SO typical but really it isn't a bad lunch. I usually have a turkey sandwich and either chips (Lay's Kettle cooked), yogurt (Dannon Light & Fit; toasted coconut vanilla) , or a 100 calorie pack of cheez-its on the side. I'm not really much of a sandwich person but I found that I DO in fact like turkey sandwiches. I've changed it up between Butterball's Cajun Turkey, Sara Lee Honey Roasted Turkey, and Sara Lee Oven Roasted Turkey. I also like one slice of provolone or munster on it as well. I thought I'd get sick of it but I haven't yet. It's easy to make and you can always change out the 'side dish' or the kind of meat you have on the sandwich. Another easy option is just to pack left overs of whatever you made the night before.
  • catelabow
    catelabow Posts: 77 Member
    Hummus is good with some veg or crackers. YES, many office fridges are gross. If you can toss a freezer pak into the bag, you don't have to use the fridge... but you do have to remember to bring it home and put it back in the freezer.
  • sunnysunbum
    sunnysunbum Posts: 3
    One of the things I enjoy doing is grilling boneless skinless chicken breast, a couple I will marinate in the Litehouse Tangy Citrus Orange Dressing/Marinade, and a couple in Grill Mates Zesty Herb Marinade. I grill them all at one, then for the week I have a variety of flavor choices to mix up my salads. Todays was a mandrin orange & chicken spinach salad. Just took one breast, diced it up, added it to 3 cups of baby spinach, added 1 contain of the Dole's mandrin oranges in light syrup, and some toasted almonds. I used the calculator and it worked out to under 400 calories. The zesty herb chicken goes great with caesar salad, or some feta, diced cucumber, and spiral pasta.
  • lbgano
    lbgano Posts: 234
    I love the morningstar farms black bean and veggie burger patties on Orowheat 100 calorie rounds. I usually put spinach and a little chevre on it, or mustard and mixed greens, or salsa (I like fruit salsa with it). The pattie is 120 cals and the bread 100, then whatever condiments and veggies you add. It is really full of fiber so keeps you full for a long time.
  • Crystal817
    Crystal817 Posts: 2,021 Member
    I'm a big fan of leftovers from dinner. Today I'm having chicken stir fry and brown rice. (:
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Tuna salad (I use celery to eat it with rather than crackers or bread)
    Low carb/low calorie/high fiber wraps with turkey, cheese, romaine, tomatoes, etc.
    Leftovers from dinner (I make extra portions specifically for this purpose)
    A big romaine and spinach salad with a hard boiled egg, grilled chicken, shredded cheese or crumbled blue cheese, and assorted veggies.
  • litlpineapple
    litlpineapple Posts: 63 Member
    Steam or boil some of your favorite veg; I LOVE zucchini and the different forms of broccoli (rabe, -ni) and bring a little container of balsamic and pour it on before eating. Complete with protein of your choice if you choose.
  • xxTAMxx
    xxTAMxx Posts: 573 Member
    I have just finished my super delicious lunch. I purchased a small round microwave container with a steam vent and I mix in 4 egg whites, mushroom, capsicum, spring onion, chopped wedge of Laughing Cow Cheese, cherry tomatoes and some herbs. Only takes 4-5 minutes in the microwave and is less than 300 calories. Nom Nom Nom. :laugh: Oops actually only 165 calories - even better!
  • SweetestJoy
    SweetestJoy Posts: 1
    GREAT WEBSITE!!!! thanks
  • trelm249
    trelm249 Posts: 777 Member
    I go the leftover route. I cook extra on weekends and plan for my lunches. I also make extra at dinner. I go ahead and containerize the left overs in lunch friendly options so that they are easy to grab out of the ice box. I do the freezer packs in an igloo cooler I use for my lunch box.

    For instance tomorrow is a salmon burger with garlic, spinach and brown rice. I will have black grapes for a snack item and a protein shake as well.

    It lends itself to variety as long as you plan when you cook.
  • ChelseaL618
    ChelseaL618 Posts: 20 Member
    I love portabella mushroom caps. At just 20 calories and 5g carbs per servings, they are great for lunch! Think of them as a healthy substitute for a bread bowl. I fill them with veggie steamers mixed with mahogany rice and a little bit of cheese the night before and wrap them in aluminum foil and pop them in the fridge. They can be warmed up in the microwave easily at work and taste great.
  • raevynn
    raevynn Posts: 666 Member
    I refuse to microwave.

    Lunches are, generally, great salads, maybe soup in my wide-mouth thermos, occasionally a tempeh, lettuce, & tomato sandwich, a bunch of fruit and/or cut up veggies. Once in awhile, I'll do the hummus thing, but it gives me gas :blushing: so I tend to not want to eat that at work.

    I only have 30 minutes for lunch, so "fast food" works for me... no prep, easy to eat, no cleanup!
  • vegetarian218
    vegetarian218 Posts: 40 Member
    Cereal is a great lunch if you don't have it for breakfast. There are plenty of cereals to switch up too so you don't get bored. :)
  • djc916
    djc916 Posts: 2
    bump
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    I keep a mini store cupboard in my desk just in case: tinned fish, snap pots of baked beans etc.

    I have plenty of snacks on hand - apples, almonds, roast soy beans, wasabi peas, bag of twiglets, rice cakes.

    In the office fridge I keep mini cheeses, couple of hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese.

    (Can't you get your co-workers onside and clean out the fridge? I'm sure you're not the only one who finds it off-putting)

    Lunch is often salad, but also leftovers. Or I'll make a big soup at the weekend (usualy using up any veg that are starting to wilt) and freeze that in single portion containers. Quinoa pilaf is brilliant at being frozen and reheated!

    Frozen ready meals are a last resport.
  • MdmAcolyte
    MdmAcolyte Posts: 382 Member
    I hate routine and I like to mix my lunches up. I usually take whatever left over meat I have from dinner and use it in salads, wraps, soups, etc. This is easy with chicken, steak, ground beef/turkey, salmon, you get the idea... I also like to cook personal pizzas at home in the oven the night before, let it cool, and the next day at lunch you only have to microwave it for a minute and it doesnt taste all "mushy" that way. I also like stuffing pita shells with all kinds of vegetables.
  • KellysDiet78
    KellysDiet78 Posts: 80
    I agree with the left overs or prepping your food the night before.

    I make my partner and daughter dinner at night then put a separate portion of in a tub for me that I take to work in the morning.

    I dont eat carbs, so a normal weeks lunch for me would be :-

    - Bowl of bollagnaise (meat only) - very filling.
    - Chicken wrapped in bacon and grilled with salad (I eat this cold mostly)
    - Salmon and salad (again cold)
    - Omellette with (I reheat)
    - Turkey muffins and spinach salad

    Try and stay away from the micro meals they are full of junk and if you have a micro at work, you can just heat your own food up.. its soooo much more healthy.

    I also start every Monday bringing in a bag of fruit and yoghurts that I will have for my breakfast every morning.
    Eating more during hte day and not my dinner at night has def helped me shift the weight as I dont go to bed with a full tummy.

    Good luck
  • MdmAcolyte
    MdmAcolyte Posts: 382 Member
    You can reheat an omelette? I never thought of that!! I LOVE breakfast for dinner/lunch!!!
  • klthill
    klthill Posts: 1 Member
    Just yesterday I brought a can of tuna, cut up some fresh basil and a stick of mozzarella string cheese, added sliced grape tomatoes then drizzled fresh lemon juice on it.I was surprised on how much I enjoyed lunch!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories