Eating while working HELP!

I pack a lunch every day at work and never use a microwave or fridge. (I do use ice packs in my insulated lunch bag). Here are some things I frequently bring:

pineapple
bananas
pre-measured cottage cheese
carrots & peanut butter (I buy the PB in to-go cups)
protein bars
pretzels
raisins
graham crackers
greek yogurt
applesauce

Peanut butter is the only thing I buy already in snack size. Everything else I buy in regular size bags and then measure out serving sizes in to zipper backs or Glad ware.

What about low sodium soup? Add a salad, and it's a pretty good meal. Progresso has a bunch of really tasty low sodium soups.
Lot's of fresh veggies. Perhaps some boiled eggs? A foreman grill could be your best friend, grill up some meat either on the weekend or before work, microwave ~1 min (depending on the microwave). Can throw it on a salad, or add some veggies.

Buy a small cooler or an insulated bag into which you can fit not only your food but an ice pack. I used to bring a small Igloo chest to work with me years ago that was a 6 pack size and had a freezer pack that screwed into the lid to keep my food cool. I brought drinks in it, too, something you may not need to worry about where you work. You may need to invest a few dollars in some Ziploc or Glad plastic containers but it's a great investment.

Ideas:

Salads (pack the greens, meats, cheeses in one container and bring the dressing in another)
String Cheese
Fruit
Tuna/Chicken/Egg salad (sandwiches or on lettuce or eaten with crackers or celery)
Sandwich wraps
Grill chicken the night before, slice and use for a salad, sandwich or wrap
Yesterday's home-cooked meal leftovers (cook extra if you don't normally have leftovers)
Make meals at home specifically for your work "lunch" and freeze into individual portions to bring with you. Re-heat in the microwave
Frozen vegetable single-serving packs

What it really comes down to is i got to change EVERYTHING i eat so i take in less sodium but i don't have a 300-500 dollars to go out and buy everything i need to eat healthy.

I've made choices to cut sodium AND cholesterol and it's actually been cheaper. I used to eat Jimmy D's breakfast sandwiches and similar things -- they're flipping expensive!!

The point is that what you're trying to achieve can be done and has been done by lots of people, but it takes planning and effort.

I am grateful for all the lunch ideas! What it seems to come down to is my sodium, once i get to my daily intake of 2500mg i pretty much stop eating but my calorie intake ends up being 300 or so under my limit.

For instance This morning i had a Jimmy Dean Delights turkey sausage muffin, for lunch i have the above sandwich, which i have everyday, i also have 2 snacks which are usually 100ish calorie snacks ( applesauce 1 serving cup and a granola bar). I am left with 600 calories left for the day. Even if i have a banquet dinner i barely get anything over 320 calories from it but most times 260 calories. What it really comes down to is i got to change EVERYTHING i eat so i take in less sodium but i don't have a 300-500 dollars to go out and buy everything i need to eat healthy.

Part of your sodium problem is that you are eating WAY TOO MUCH processed food! If you filled up on fruit and veggies, fresh eggs, chicken, and homemade soup you would not consume nearly as much sodium and you would get a lot more food for your calories.
You can buy some veggies, a whole chicken (roast it, use the meat for sandwiches, and then boil the carcass as a soup base), eggs, and beans and rice pretty cheaply. But it will require more effort on your part to prepare the food. Good luck!

Maybe change up your lunch so that you can save your sandwich for dinner time while you are at work? Sounds like you might have more control over being more free with your lunch than your dinner.

I know that I'm concerned about my sodium too. I love meat/cheese, but for instance I used to eat 2 eggs with 3 slices of turkey bacon every day on the weekends for breakfast, and I have changed it so that I have a 3 egg omelet and no bacon because I want to save the sodium from the bacon for other things. Same thing with my homemade pizzas that I make... I cut out the pepperoni because for me, it's just better / easier to eat the pizza with just cheese and I'm equally as happy.

i work at mcdonalds tell me about it but i guess taking my own food has been working out great for me when i eat there its a small side salad but no food at all so best best is to whip up a meal put it in a toperware and take it to work our microwaves suck they heat up the food so fast just check it every ten seconds stuff like that

Try Sabra hummus. It comes in several flavors and is good with carrots or an occassional Triscuit. It feels like cheating because it is delicious. Lunches are all about planning. Raw veggies with lettuce and so many topping choices and an apple with string cheese. I like to keep protein bars, Sunsweet Ones and pistachios in my drawer at work for a quick snack. Try and stay away from processed foods. Instead of the Jimmy Dean sandwich in the morning, make oatmeal with blueberries and crushed walnuts. Best of luck!:happy:

To everyone who suggested that i swap my dinner meal with my lunch meal thank you! I can not believe i did not think of that. Also i feel i have to defend myself a little about the processed foods i eat, I do eat chicken and veggies for dinner when i am actually home, i frequently have chicken with brown rice and steamed green beans. If i worked first shift i feel like i wouldn't be having as much as an issue, i didn't before i started working 3 weeks ago. I would love to eat fresh unprocessed foods but i am absolutely horrible at cooking, i think i even burned water once, so the microwave has been my life long friend. As for the Foreman Grill idea, yea i will not be able to do that at work, my boss and the big wigs would flip, but doing something like that at home might be something to look into. Anyone know if meat from the deli is as bad as the packaged meats?

I get chicken breast and turkey breast steaks on sale and cook it at home. Then I use it for sandwiches, in wraps and in pittas. You can also use eggs, tuna or salad. Much healthier than the processed meats from the store. Not sure about the deli meats, but I would imagine they would be quite similar.

To everyone who suggested that i swap my dinner meal with my lunch meal thank you! I can not believe i did not think of that. Also i feel i have to defend myself a little about the processed foods i eat, I do eat chicken and veggies for dinner when i am actually home, i frequently have chicken with brown rice and steamed green beans. If i worked first shift i feel like i wouldn't be having as much as an issue, i didn't before i started working 3 weeks ago. I would love to eat fresh unprocessed foods but i am absolutely horrible at cooking, i think i even burned water once, so the microwave has been my life long friend. As for the Foreman Grill idea, yea i will not be able to do that at work, my boss and the big wigs would flip, but doing something like that at home might be something to look into. Anyone know if meat from the deli is as bad as the packaged meats?

I don't think anyone is judging you because we're all in the place we're in (or at least when we started) because of bad food choices. :laugh: The trick is figuring out how to break out of the cycle.

Deli meat is deli meat, whether you buy it from Oscar Meyer or over the deli counter. You might have more luck finding lower sodium versions at a deli counter, however. Boar's Head brand has lots of lower sodium options but even those still average 350-450 mg of sodium per 2 ounce serving.