Lunch on the run?

[Kathy]

I know I'm usually in the middle of errand running when its lunch time. And eating healthy is important.

What do you eat for lunch? A simple salad or sandwich?

Do you think about health or ease of grabbing something?

I have to struggle to eat healthy and would love some ideas for lunch.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I used to grab that sandwich, but I am hooked on Burger King's Caesar salad with grilled chicken breast right now. I keep some of those frozen, diet meals in the freezer, if I am eating at my desk. I have a few cans of soup, too.

I am trying to eat healthier, but sometimes a cheeseburger is required!

Sherry

[clogaholic]

I don't do fast food much but have found that lately many of them are offering salads. :) Some of them have the nutritional info available ( I still kinda count calories).

I love salad and soups, so it's no hardship for me. But still... I agree that sometimes a burger is a requirement . :grin:

[Kyleigh]

I try to go for quick and healthy. Often it's something simple such as plain yogurt to which I add fruit. Sometimes it's a salad and sandwich, or I skip the sandwich and instead put the tuna (or ham, chicken, turkey) in the salad.

On cold days nothing hits the spot quite as well as a good cup of soup. I put it in a mug so I can eat and slurp at my desk. ;)

[YellowRoseTex]

I usually have a salad, some cut up veggies or some turkey for lunch. I don't like to make a big fuss at lunch time so I try to have things prepared ahead of time.

You could carry some granola bars or some healthy type of snack mix in your car if you're going to be out and about. That may tide you over until you get something substantial that doesn't include the word burger or french fries. ;)

[4evernbluejeans]

I like the soups that you can pop in the microwave,my favorite is the tomato.I tryyyyy to stay away from adding all the crackers.A simple fruit salad is aways good with just about anything.I found that half a sandwich is usually all I need with either the fruit salad or soup. I also love hard-boiled eggs and I eat those alot.Yogurt is great anytime.My breakfast and lunches are always filling for me but....when 4 p.m. comes I am starved!I try to eat fruit or something lite but it does not seem to fill me til dinner(we are late eaters) A good hamburger is always in order!Have a great day

[TessiNY]

I always carry those vacuumed pack tuna fillets--my fave is the lightly seasoned starkist brand--hated the terriaky flavored. Open the bag, drop in some shredded carrot, baby spinach or whatever is on hand and you have a great, quick salad.

[Ms Big Butt]

I have been eating Bumblebee Chicken Salad with crackers (the *kit*). It's already mixed up, just pop the lid and enjoy. Sometimes it's on sale for $1.00/each at the grocery store.

I also keep Slimfast bars at my office, and Oatmeal to Go, which is like a cookie. So I have a choice of one of these items for my lunch every day. :bliss:

[blondgrl]

I try to avoid all fast food at lunch time to maintain my weight loss. I pack low-fat cheese slices & put in little baggies, bring some low-fat cottage cheese or eat things like turkey sandwiches w. pretzels. Sometimes, I try to avoid the office lunch table b/c of all the "goodies" that are there, just too tempting to grab something like doughnuts and go, just empty calories. Sounds funny, but sometimes when I'm in a big hurry, I'll eat a big bowl of healthy cereal with skim milk. Takes a little while longer to find good alternatives, but it is possible. But, I think it's OK to reward ourselves sometimes (we must!)!!!! Just in moderation!

[friendly1]

Hello all. I was reading everyones ideas about lunch on the run. I too have trouble with this, but most of the time I'm either working in an area that I am unable to take lunch, or I'm either in my car driving. Any suggestions on a good healthy food that I could carry in my purse or in the car? I try to go without eating lunch, but I get a headache before I get home...I also find if I don't eat lunch, I'll eat whatever is in front of me before I get dinner fixed! No willpower I'm afraid.

[triplej2676]

if you want a hot lunch, those weight watchers smart ones are really pretty good. i love the santa fe rice and beans, and the chicken and green beans one.. not sure what it is called. sandwiches are great, so is some cheese, an apple and some triscuits. it is hard for me b/c where i work i get asked to go somewhere for lunch almost every single day. not only can i not afford that, but it is hard to eat out and make healthy choices. i like the salads at wendys, even their caesar salad is only 99 cents!

[TessiNY]

Friendly1,
While I don't travel for work, I do live in a cold climate and am ready for emergencies. I carry a small basket (or a little tote, box, whatever works) in my trunk. I have the typical roadside emergency equipment but also carry a variety of single serve canned fruits & applesauce cups, crackers & cereal bars, bottled water & juices. A small supply (thanks to fast food restaurants!!) of utensils and napkins, condiments and such is also packed. Also, I carry a small thermos when I know I will be on the road for a while. I love Lipton tomato soup in individual packages so I can make one and put in my thermos. Not always as hot as I'd like it but it works.

[wingriderprincess]

I usually arrive home a little before my dh does for lunch so I grab leftovers and nuke those. If I'm not going to be home, I grab string cheese and an apple or a peanut butter sandwich made on homemade wholegrain bread.... :yum:

[palmasy2002]

I always keep a protein bar tucked in my glove compartment. :) I find it very handy when driving from one job to the next!

[Poppie]

I usually take a sandwich for lunch, baked chips and an apple. On cold days I usually go to Wendy's and get the small chili and a side salad, they are .99 cents each, so it doesn't break the bank too bad. I also keep yogurt, carrots and soups at work for those days when I need something to snack on or I can't get out.Carol

[klisme]

i LOVE the soup to go. they are great and helpful to a two year old on the run

[DJAKoala]

I have a busy afternoon job. I don't always sit for lunch. I bring in quick bites. Usually a low fat yogurt, fruit.I like a natural peanut butter/low sugar jelly sandwich. Sometimes I get a muffin or snack out of the vending ,machines. I try to make healthy choices. I always eat on the go, unless I am home for the day. Thanks for great ideas as I read.
Debbie :o

[joyinaz]

I like soups and also i like to grab some fruit and some cheese. Good luck with it. I love all the different suggestions.

[txgurl]

I usually make some kind of salad either with lettuce apples, walnuts and cranberries, or tuna in it , or salmon in it , or turkey sometimes.
I like to bake a sweet potatoe and have a salad or some fruit. I sometimes make a smoothie with Silk vanilla soy milk, strawberries, ground flax seeds, and frozen banana. I

If I grill a turkey patty on the grill I always make enough for me for lunch the next day and then add vegetable, whole wheat slice of bread and some fruit for my lunch.

I like to make chicken stir fry with olive oil, onions, broccolli , carrots, celery, red peppers and a little soy ,and mix with brown rice and freeze some for lunches later on.

I get whole wheat flour tortillas and put sliced avacados, chopped tomatoe, lettuce and very little light cheese in it. You can make bean burritos with light cheese and salsa. I use the "no fat "canned refried beans for this.

I use my George Foreman grill to cook fish and chicken for tacos and quick meals.

It is important not to get bored with healthy eating. There are a lot of different recipes out there and good one on the web.

[spunkyfish]

I always plan my lunch the night before so it's ready as I head out the door to work.

I've found some really good bagels that are only 1 point if you're doing the WW plan. Granted, they're not a large bagel, but they're great for sandwiches. They're called Western Bagel - The Alternative Bagel. I find myself using lettuce leaves to keep the mayo and/or mustard from oozing out the center hole and then I add whatever I happen to be in the mood for - turkey, tuna, chicken, etc. I've also found that some frozen berries (1/2 pound) added to some Yoplait light yogurt and a little cool whip is really yummy! Not only does it satisfy my need for a creamy texture, there's quite a bit to eat and I'm a volume eater. :) I also love the Laughing Cow/Baby Bell cheeses that are sold in the net bagging. And for my crunchy side, I try to stick with pretzels (counted out and placed in individual baggies so I'm not eating them mindlessly) since they tend to be lower in calories than chips and crackers.

You could keep these items (except the pretzels of course) in one of those small coolers in your car. I find that if I leave the berries with yogurt and cool whip out (already mixed together and in a tupperware) that I don't need to defrost when I'm ready to eat.

Hope this helps! :)

xoxo,
Barb

[SmallSpaz]

As for me and lunch. Well it isnt the best part of the day for sure. I have a terrible spell with IBS-D, therefore I have to watch exactly what I eat. 9 times out of 10 I can not eat lunch at work because I will have to go to the bathroom too many times after eating. I work full time in production and can not leave my area to go potty all the time. So basicly I drink a bottle of water and deal with the business I own during that time. I make a few phone calls to my manger and what not, so I stay busy and it keeps my mind off of eating. I ahve done this so much that I am never hungry at lunch.

Well thats my lunch time! :o