Please help me buy a weeks worth of lunch...what should I get?

[MidnightSensi]

I'm tired of the time it takes and the cost of going out every day for lunch. There is nothing good to eat in our area, I'd rather just snack on stuff throughout the day.

I'm not much of a chef, but, would any of you mind helping me pick some stuff to eat for lunch during the week where it won't go bad, is easy to put together and doesn't taste too bad?

Not a fan of the microwave pizzas and such, I do like things such as peanut-butter-banana sandwiches... peanut-butter with whip sandwhiches... stuff easy to make... but, I probably need some nutrition too.

HELLLPPPPPPPP

I want to go to the store this Saturday or Sunday and have enough lunch food for the week where I don't need to go out.

 

[Guiria]

I am the same way when it comes to eating out...it gets so old, waste of hard earned cash.

One job I didn't have a fridge available so I bought a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and creamed honey. Nothing needed refrigeration. I calculated it out once and it was about 400 calories per sandwich so it provides plenty of energy. I'm also a raw almond fan and I have raw uncooked, unsalted almonds in my desk drawer all the time. If I get the munchies I pound a handful of those. Apples are another thing I've kept handy, good source of natural sugars and fiber.

I found that if I bought things like chips, crackers, etc I would eat the whole bag in 2 lunches so I stopped doing that.

Basically if you have the mindset of eating lunch to fuel your body so you can continue working then the above items have sufficient flavor and nutrition to get you to dinner.

If you're out for the tastiest homemade lunches, look elsewhere.

Also I've found I have to rotate the sandwiches. Once you've eaten a whole loaf worth of sandwiches your ready to try something else

 

[vizionut]

I just buy some good deli meet with whole wheat bread and some chips

 

[Davemcc]

I've been eating a lot of breakfast cereal for lunch at work. Shreddies, Mini-Wheats, etc. I change things up with soup and crackers or leftovers from dinner the night before. Sometimes, I'll cook up a box of Kraft Dinner the night before just to take for lunch. Another healthy idea is to cook up an extra piece of meat at dinner time and use it to make sandwiches the next day. It takes no extra time or effort to cook one, two or three chicken breasts or pork chops for dinner but if you do that, it's far better than making sandwiches with processed lunchmeat. I will also usually make extra large portions of spaghetti or other noodles so I can take the leftovers to work.

I usually fill out the lunch with a couple of granola bars and at least 3 pieces of fruit and some natural fruit juice.

 

[Sheep]

Cottage Cheese!!! 2%

SheepStar

 

[MidnightSensi]

I agree Dave, lunch meat is kinda nasty, even the good stuff. Just something about it. I don't cook much at home though, so leftovers aren't an option really.

I know I'm difficult, but... So far I got:
Peanut butter
Bananas
Bread
Granola bars
Yogart

So some yogart in the morning, peanut-butter banana sandwich later, and a granola bar later.

that could get me through at least two days of the week. Makin progress

I am the same way when it comes to eating out...it gets so old, waste of hard earned cash.

For sure, we eat all the same places, and its like 10 bucks or more anytime... just a waste. If I ate in the office I could leave earlier, not spend as much and not eat a ton of french fries.

 

[adwilk]

I cook twice a week for every lunch that I'll have. I'll typically bake about 7 chicken breasts, 2 lbs of salmon, and maybe some lean red meat.. just depends. I'll pack some tortillas, baby spinach, some cheddar cheese, maybe some spicy mustard and make a couple wraps. If you grill much, grilled chicken makes great chicken salad... I also almost always have some carrot sticks, and raw broccoli. Fruit is good as well. I have a portable blender for those protein/fruit smoothies if I get hungrier or want a delicious healthy snack.

Snacks like low sodium beef/turkey jerky, fresh fruit, fat free cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, and of course fresh veggies are great hunger busters that you really dont have to feel guilty about.

I recommend to almost every client of mine to pick up some 100% whey protein.. for some it seems silly and cliche of a group they dont want to be a part of, BUT as you start creating a calorie deficit that extra protein serves to preserve lean mass. Plus, like I said, it makes a great snack, its pretty cheap, and crazy good for you.

 

[Midcow2]

Smart Choice

I know you said you didn't like frozen pizza and microwave, but try the Smartchoice frozen entries. I good test one is the Chicken Parmigan. Money back guarantee, if you don't like it I will send you the $2.50 ( or give you some great audio advice )

Later,

MidCow2

 

[Alex2507]

As amusing as MidCow is, I'd probably be happier eating the package the 'Smart Choice' came in. A packed lunch for me is usually last night's left overs.

 

[Shock]

14 boxes of kraft diner.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I recommend to almost every client of mine to pick up some 100% whey protein.. for some it seems silly and cliche of a group they dont want to be a part of, BUT as you start creating a calorie deficit that extra protein serves to preserve lean mass. Plus, like I said, it makes a great snack, its pretty cheap, and crazy good for you.

I can't find one that tastes good, they always taste like chalk to me.

 

[Alex2507]

I can't find one that tastes good, they always taste like chalk to me.

Pour tequila on it.

 

[Davemcc]

I know I'm difficult, but... So far I got:
Peanut butter
Bananas
Bread
Granola bars
Yogart

Don't discard the cereal option. There's a ton of choices. Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, Sugar Crisp, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, etc. Don't get Captain Crunch...it cuts the roof of your mouth.

 

[adwilk]

I can't find one that tastes good, they always taste like chalk to me.

Unfortunately, they always will... There are some better than others, and mixing with fruit, milk, etc. help, but you're right... The ONLY ones I like are the Optimum Nutrition flavors.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Don't discard the cereal option. There's a ton of choices. Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, Sugar Crisp, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, etc. Don't get Captain Crunch...it cuts the roof of your mouth.

That Honey Bunches of Oats stuff is pretty good. Not a huge fan of milk though, maybe I need to be though.

Yeah, Cap'n Crunch is tough... once I ate like a box of that stuff dry (munchies) and ended up regretting that.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Take some fruits with you. Try those 2 lb bag of baby carrots to snack on Celery sticks.
Deli meat and whole wheat bread was mentioned. Add some pickles you like. Mustard, next to nothing in calories

 

[mtrycrafts]

I agree Dave, lunch meat is kinda nasty, even the good stuff. Just something about it. I don't cook much at home though, so leftovers aren't an option really.

I know I'm difficult, but... So far I got:
Peanut butter
Bananas
Bread
Granola bars
Yogart

So some yogart in the morning, peanut-butter banana sandwich later, and a granola bar later.

that could get me through at least two days of the week. Makin progress



For sure, we eat all the same places, and its like 10 bucks or more anytime... just a waste. If I ate in the office I could leave earlier, not spend as much and not eat a ton of french fries.

Start your day off with a good breakfast, important. A good omelet a few days a week, healthy cereal, etc.

 

[Sheep]

Start your day off with a good breakfast, important. A good omelet a few days a week, healthy cereal, etc.

I don't eat breakfast and I"m the best shape of my life. Suck on that.

Go see a nutritionist, and plan out a diet based on your life, and your schedule. Don't listen to stupid old wives tales. And yes, I just called Mtrycrafts a wife.

SheepStar

 

[Sheep]

Don't discard the cereal option. There's a ton of choices. Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran, Sugar Crisp, Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, etc. Don't get Captain Crunch...it cuts the roof of your mouth.

I've seen you use 2 family guy References in the last 5 minutes. Time to go outside and get some fresh air.

SheepStar

 

[Adam]

Don't discard the cereal option.

I eat dry cereal for lunch quite a bit. Some favorites are Kashi's Go Lean and Cascadian Farms Multigrain Squares.