Cheap & healthy lunches for work

[Sam_2.0]

I just started a new job this week (same company, different position). I don't have time to go out to lunch like I used to, which is good for the checking account But now I need to come up with some good, healthy, cheap lunch and snack options.

1. Something that does not need to be refrigerated or heated, or that could go in a lunchbox with a small ice pack and be good until lunch time.
2. Something pretty healthy, lots of protein, but no fish (at least until baby girl is born).
3. Nothing "stinky" since I will be eating at my desk & working through lunch most of the time.

So what are your favorite lunch options?

[yogiii]

I'm one of those people that can eat the same thing everyday for a year, so I don't know if that will work for you. Whatever I bring for lunch, I always have a small container of baby carrots and then some fruit, whatever happens to be on sale that week (a banana, apple, strawberries). Other than the fruit/veggie portion, my lunch consists of either a pb sandwich, hummus and pita, or cheese and crackers. I just cut up some cheddar at home and put it in a little container next to an ice pack (seperate from the crackers).

I'm interested to see what others have to say ... this is a constant battle for me.

[sheilaincali]

I usually have leftovers- but I have access to a fridge and microwave. But my DH is out of the office traveling to job-sites all day long and he packs a small cooler. He brings a variety of things- fruit, tuna fish and crackers (next to the ice pack), roll ups (instead of traditional sandwiches), granola, etc.
He would rather have a series of small snacks during the work day than take the time to sit down for a lunch.

[Sam_2.0]

Or how about just fasting through lunch at times to save some calories?

Well, that would work if I was not pregnant, or planning to BF for the next year I did a lot of that before though!

We don't really "do" leftovers at our house. DH refuses to eat them, so I have gotten to where I will cook only 2 portions for dinner. Sometimes I will make extras, but I have a thing about re-heated food - turns my stomach for some reason.

I love carrots & fruits, those should work well without needing refrigerated. I forgot about pb - that would be easy to pack with some crackers (or just eat with the carrots/apples!). I don't mind eating the same things, so that should be fine.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[sarcasticgirl]

in addition to what was already suggested... yogurt, string cheese!
i love wraps, and most of them i can easily eat cold. Black bean spread (homemade) with corn and cheese, even some shredded chicken if i have it handy, buffalo chicken wrap, BLT wrap, turkey burger wrap (oddly, i like ground turkey cold).
also combining fruit and cheese not only tastes great, but also helps ya stay full longer!
maybe a healthy pasta salad with lots of veggies?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I ate a lot of whole wheat peanute butter sandwiches when pregnant, they went down easy and were easy to slap together when I didn't want to cook anything. I ate a ton of them on maternity leave while learning to breastfeed. Easy to eat with one hand and juggle a baby in the other.

I was eating a whole sandwich as a snack every day for the first several months after DD was born. DH joked we should buy stock in Skippy.

[saveinla]

Jun 8, 2011 9:47:00 GMT -5 @insurancegal said:

Jun 8, 2011 6:11:04 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

Sandwiches, crackers and PB, fruit, raw veggies with dip ,etc. Leftovers - eat them cold, cold meatloaf, etc. I know people who eat cold soup out of a can. Protein shakes or bars. Or how about just fasting through lunch at times to save some calories?

Or, you could use a thermos, if you want to eat soup during the summer that is:)

Fasting while pregnant....? Hmmmmmmmm

I like bringing boiled eggs to work, but they are a bit pungent.... Maybe an egg salad sandwich would be less detectable?

You can also put the egg salad into whole wheat tortillas and roll them up . 2 of those rolls will keep you full for the afternoon along with some fruit or veggies.

[dakota4600]

Chicken salad is pretty easy to make. The one I make isn't a heavy mayo one. You shred up a roasted chicken, put some grapes and celery with it, then make a dijon dressing and toss to coat. Great on crackers.

I second string cheese, yogurt and fruit.

I also ate whole wheat peanut butter sandwiches when I was BFing too.

[mizbear]

I used to take pasta salad to work a lot. I also had little hot and cold thermos type containers so I could take anything frm hot soup to spaghettios to fruit salad. I have done the peanut butter sandwich thing, I have done wraps and I also like making up a smorgasboard of munchabe stuff- trail mix, protein/ snack bars, fruit/ vegetables, etc. Depending on what I was doing eating a little on my 15s and then eating some at lunch was a more viable idea.

I would definitely go with whatever is not going to cause you any discomfort or illness with your pregnancy.

[reeneejune]

One of my favorite "all in one container" cold lunches is a pasta salad that's made with pesto (a little goes a long way), cubed grilled chicken, cooked pasta, chopped up artichoke hearts, calamata olives, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. The pasta is the filling part, and you can put in as much or as little chicken as you like to adjust for your protein needs. I suppose if you're a tomato lover you could toss in some halved cherry tomatoes (I'm not a fan, but it would be a good flavor combo). I know some of the ingredients can be pricy, but for me, they're flavors I like and use in several meals, so I indulge every once in a while.

I'm also a big fan of a big salad with lots of veggies, chunked up cooked chicken (leftover chicken tenders are good too!), some cheese, etc.

[regina24601]

sam - I second (third? fourth?) pasta salad. It can be elaborate as some posters have described, or it can be super cheap and easy, which is how I usually make it: just some tri-colored spiral pasta, Italian dressing, and parmesan cheese all tossed together. That should stay good in a lunch bag with an ice pack, and it wouldn't be too stinky.

BTW - do you still have to eat a gluten-free diet? If so, that would definitely complicate things a bit. I'm glad you're liking the new job though!

[nasagreen]

and I love love love canned chicken on Ritz crackers. I am still eating it now that I have gone back to work off Maternity Leave.

[mizbear]

sam- If you're still eating gluten free- there are some gluten free "pastas" available (rice based I believe) that make yummy pasta salad. Try Ezekiel or Bob's Red Mill maybe. Or Hodgson's.

[Wisconsin Beth]

hummus and pita
salads with lots of stuff in them (meat, cheese, egg slices) and dressing on the side.

[Sam_2.0]

Thanks for all the great lunch ideas! Pasta salad sounds wonderful. I was actually able to stop the gluten-free diet once I got pregnant, and hoping I don't have to start it up again once DD is born

[lazysundays]

I like lean cuisine alot. They come out to around $3 each. Add healthy fruit and some nuts or other fistful portioned snacks and it's enough

[dogmom]

Peanut butter or almond butter w/crackers or on whole grain bread. A fruit spread works with either well. Fresh fruit is great. So are fresh veggies. A thermos to keep hot things hot is an absolute must. (sorry, soup from a can not heated, not so much) It's a small investment but it pays off. A salad with chicken will stay cool in an insulated pack with ice packs. A small container of dressing will also keep. String cheese also will keep well with ice packs. I pack a breakfast and lunch every day. Instant oatmeal, very filling and really reasonable.

[tcu2003]

Salads are always a great option - I put my lettuce, veggies, cheese, etc. in a container, and the dressing in a separate container. Then I just combine them at lunch time. Also, since it's summer, tomatoes and cottage cheese are one of my favorite combinations, and the cottage cheese will keep well next to an ice pack. Slice cucumbers and any other fresh veggie are great for snacking and eating with lunch. And I'm a sandwich person - I can (and did in elementary school) eat a PB&J every day. Now I'll occasionally switch it up with turkey or ham and cheese, or leftovers, but I generally go for simple and easy.

[wackyaunt]

I put the single serve applesauce (and peach sauce, and such) in the freezer. In addition to the little ice pack thingy, it helps keep lunch cool. Also, by noon, if it not thawed completely, that's ok, cause then I tell myself it is a Popsicle slush or "Italian Ice"! ;D

I also like cottage cheese and wraps of whatever I have. For example cream cheese with chives or green onion with a splash of salsa on the wraps. (Keep breath mints on hand!) I cut them into appetizer size (bite size) a little less conspicuous to eat in case some one important walks by your desk.

Carrots or similar veggie and fruit (whatever is on sale). I also make muffins and stash in the freezer, they are great for a mid-morning snack. I try to keep healthy (if muffins can be!) by utilizing dried fruit, nuts, and oatmeal in them.

[blackcard]

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, small pull top cans of friut, little cups of jello, crackers, nuts, pop-tarts (I ate them untoasted), popcorn, muffins, Ramon noodles, cup-a-soup, cold pizza etc etc. Got me through my poor times jobs during college.

[Apple]

I also like pasta salads

I sometimes make chicken sandwiches with grilled or baked chicken, romaine lettuce, shredded parmesean and a little ceasar dressing on a nice "hearty" bread or roll.

An easy fruit salad is cubed apples, mandarin (or regular) oranges, grapes and walnuts with vanilla yogurt and just a little cinnamon and nutmeg. (I got the idea from the McDonald's fruit salad, but using yogurt instead of the sweet stuff they use).

Bagel sandwiches can be good too, mix up the meat and cheeses to make it something a little different. I prefer rolls, dense breads or bagels to regular sliced breads.

I figured out with my son's lunches I could use a juice box or capri sun as the ice pack. Just pop a few in the freezer and it would be ready to drink around lunch time (he was always leaving his lunch bag with the ice pack somewhere so this way I always had a new one every day). I do this for myself with a frozen bottle of water and a packet of those crystal light drink mixes.