Not buying lunch out anymore, I'm bringing my own. Suggestions?

[sideshow24]

In an effort to eat healthier and save money, I'm gonna stop driving out and buying fast food during my lunch break. This will save me gas and food money and hopefully result in healthier eating too.

Since I have done this only occassionally over the years, I'm hoping for good suggestions on what to eat. I've never gotten more creative that sandwich and chips. I have access to a microwave and a mini-fridge.

Got any favorites of your own?

(And yes FearOurD!, the troll head has been removed from the microwave and it has been sanitized. )

[jpillian]

Cup of soup is always something easy you can keep stocked at your desk for days you forget your lunch. There's a lot of options along those lines.

(I need to make similar resolution )

[PleaseBlitz]

I always bring leftovers from the previous day's dinner, or else turkey sammiches.

[China]

SPAM

Yum, yum!

[ECU-ALUM]

Hot-Pockets work nicely.

[Buford]

Classic PB&J.

Seriously, they sell these mini PB packs. You can keep them at work. I do that.

[BigMike619]

I do lots of fruit and teas when I am trying to detox.

a simple sandwich and chips is always awesome too..

[bschurm]

Having recently spoken to a nutritionist, I would suggest what she has suggested to me. Since you have a place to store some of the food, take a salad and stick it in the fridge for lunch. Take an apple for the afternoon craving. Take some celery and carrot sticks to munch on instead of chips. Have a healthy granola bar at hand to satisfy the morning craving. Bring some peanut butter and put it on a lowfat bagel. Most importantly eat several smaller meals throughout the day instead of eating a big lunch.

Many people, like myself, do not want to hear what is healthy to eat. But I am getting a little older and realize that I need to watch my diet now more than ever if I want to remain healthy. I am starting to like celery sticks.

[sideshow24]

Good suggestions so far. Especially the spam! The eat smaller meals through the day scares me to death. I'm sure they'd get bigger and then I'll just be stuffing myself all day!

[Stophovr6]

Baby carrots, celery sticks, other uncooked veggies.

[Kilmer17]

If you are going to take the time to bring your own lunch. Make a good salad.

I eat at my desk at least 4 days a week and always make a big salad. Load it with whatever you had for dinner (chicken, turkey, fish) , and make a dressing of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, spicy mustard and spices.

It fills you up, and is healthy.

Just avoid loading the salad with unhealthy items.

[Heidenreich]

Having recently spoken to a nutritionist, I would suggest what she has suggested to me. Since you have a place to store some of the food, take a salad and stick it in the fridge for lunch. Take an apple for the afternoon craving. Take some celery and carrot sticks to munch on instead of chips. Have a healthy granola bar at hand to satisfy the morning craving. Bring some peanut butter and put it on a lowfat bagel. Most importantly eat several smaller meals throughout the day instead of eating a big lunch.

I'd rather eat nothing than eat any of that. But I have to do something. My usual plan of eating pretty much nothing (2 pretzels) all day isn't going to cut it forever.....

How about cheerios? Can I eat cheerios all day?

[Larry]

Had a friend who was a big fan of SubWay. One of his tips: Get the sub without condiments, and get a footlong. He only ate one half, but if the sub doesn't have condiments, then the other half will keep for a couple of days in the fridge. (Yeah, I know that doesn't count as "not buying lunch". But IMO, it's close.)

I've also seen these things in the grocery stoer: They're made by Hormell. Things like Turkey and dressing, mac and cheese, things like that. They're like a bowl of soup-sized, and they don't need refrigeration. You can keep several of them in your car/desk/wherever, then pop em in the microwave when you're hungry. (Drawback: I don't really like many of them, and it takes two of them to be a meal for me.)

[Larry]

I'd rather eat nothing than eat any of that. But I have to do something. My usual plan of eating pretty much nothing (2 pretzels) all day isn't going to cut it forever.....

How about cheerios? Can I eat cheerios all day?

One of my big comfort/snack foods is cereal. I've found several types that I like eating dry. My biggies are Honey Nut Cherios, Lucky Charms, and Special K w/ strawberries.

[sideshow24]

I do lots of fruit and teas when I am trying to detox.

Sounds like a Monday meal then.