Lunch Options for Work

Hi,

I was wondering what people took to work for lunch when dieting - I've been having soups and low fat snacks but finding that I'm nowhere near my calorie levels by doing so. I want to continue eating healthy but at the same have something more substantial that isn't too inconvenient for work.

We don't have a cooker or oven in the office either - just hot water and a microwave so needs to be something I can make quickly at home the night before and refrigerate or can microwave.

I'm trying to avoid starchy carbs too. Any ideas would be great!!

Thanks

First things first... youre not supposed to be dieting... lol

Meal planning ahead is a big thing for us. Last night I cooked up some gorgeous split chicken breasts.. I plan on pulling the meat and two of those breasts are going to be for shredded chicken quesadillas, so Ill pack my low carb pita pocket, a hefty portion of chicken, 1oz of shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and peppers - just heat it up in the microwave. Ill also bring a soup that is vegetable-based, and I always pack extra proteins and veggies on the side for a salad.

The other chicken meat will be used for a parmesan dish, sautee up some courgettes, onions and mushrooms with garlic and wine - perfect meal for lunch the next day.

You just have to put forth the effort and get creative....

When I bring soup, I usually bring a half of a turkey and cheese sandwich with a slice of tomato and a leaf of romain. Use mustard instead of mayo or use a soy base sandwich spread if you don't like mustard. For a snack I will bring a few nuts, a piece of fruit or a protein bar. Also you can have 5-6 whole grain crackers with peanut butter for a snack. The protein will keep you feeling full longer and doesn't pack on the pounds, but gives you the good calories you need.

Hope this helps.

Pat

Today I had 150gs Fage 0% fat free yoghurt, 1 tbs peanut butter (crunchy), 1 scoop chocolate protein shake mixed together then topped with 10 chopped almonds. low calorie, low carb, very filling and totally delicious.

Great idea! Have to try this!

I like recipe magazines like Healthy Cooking/Taste of Home (or their website), www.SkinnyTaste.com, and http://kitchen-parade-veggieventure.blogspot.com/

Some of my go-to lunches are planned left-overs from dinners, the one point lunch (old points from Veggie Venture) which includes all the veggies you want, with a serving of cottage cheese and a can of green beans, and whole wheat pita pockets stuffed with a little protein (like tuna, chicken, turkey, egg) etc.

I usually make a soup for lunches at home, and many are really easy and have WAY less sodium than canned soups in the store. On days that we have soup (this week the soup is an Italian Veggie Soup with only 56 calories per serving) and I am afraid it isn't enough - I plan for small snacks every 2 hours or so, like fruit with yogurt, veggies with peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, etc. to boost my nutritional values and keep me full.

Today is the Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad from Skinny Taste.com, left overs re-portioned for lunch after last nights dinner.

I like either leftovers from my low cal dinners or I eat weightwatchers microwave meals as they are easy to track calories while eating something yummy/healthy.

I make a big pot of soup on the weekends and take leftovers most of the week. I like to make a meat and veggie soup or a heartier chili soup. It seems to fill me up (and is perfect in the winter). My favorite thing is making sweet and sour pork fom Cook Yourself Thin and taking leftovers with some wild rice. I keep containers in my freezer to make it easier and that way I don't get too bored on 3-4 days of the same thing.
Sometimes I go uptown for a salad (it's a nice little walk, and the fresh air is a great pick-me-up unless the snow is really blowing), but I usually try to choose something with some protein in it to stick with me. I avoid the bread or crackers they like to add to the salad, though, and watch the dressing!

I take pretty much anything I want for lunch - from cold sandwiches (12 grain bread or whole grain oat bread only), to leftovers from dinners earlier in the week, to the (occassional) slice of pizza. I always have fresh fruit and/or veggies for snacks, and keep some protein bars in my desk for those nights that I head to the gym on my way home from work.

I don't believe in depriving myself of particular foods, because in the past I have done that and just fallen back into bad eating habits when I hit my goal. There are two keys in my mind, and they seem to be working for me...portion control, and resisting the temptation to head out to the local pizza and hoagie shop with co-workers where I can easily pile on 500 - 600 extra calories without even thinking about it.

Good luck...and good eating! :happy:

You can reheat anything and everything in the microwave - my lunch usually consist of left overs from dinner -- today is 1c brown rice and 4oz of chicken - to keep the rice moist and the chicken tender, when reheating simple cover it. 1.5 mins is all it needs...

Salads are always a good option. Add grilled chicken, or on another day, add black beans or a hard boiled egg. you want to have protein because that is what's going to stay with you. Of course, very low cal dressing too. Low fat cottage cheese is good with pineapple in it. Ezekiel sprout bread is great if you want a carb. Sweet potatoes are good too. If you get hungry in between, eat unlimited veges. Fat free sour cream with Good Seasons dressing mix makes a very low calorie dip. Almonds are a great source of protein too. Fruit is good too. Just a few suggestions.... good luck

Hi,

I was wondering what people took to work for lunch when dieting - I've been having soups and low fat snacks but finding that I'm nowhere near my calorie levels by doing so. I want to continue eating healthy but at the same have something more substantial that isn't too inconvenient for work.

We don't have a cooker or oven in the office either - just hot water and a microwave so needs to be something I can make quickly at home the night before and refrigerate or can microwave.

I'm trying to avoid starchy carbs too. Any ideas would be great!!

Thanks

Hi! I am a teacher and I take my lunch with me every day. I usually take a ham or turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. You can put mustard or miracle whip on without adding many calories. I also add a fat free chocolate pudding for a sweet treat.