If you're organized enough to pack a healthy lunch to bring to work, what do you pack?

[Anonymous]

It is my New Year's resolution to pack my lunch and bring it to work. I'm so tired of spending $8-10 a day on lunch. It's not doing my finances or waistline any favors. If you pack your lunch, what does it consist of? I really need ideas for healthy, appealing lunches. I'm not a vegetarian and am not picky, but don't want to bring a sandwich every day. TIA for helping me out!

[Anonymous]

In a tupperware container I add a small tin of mackerel or tuna, a couple of pieces of finely chopped celery, some chopped red pepper, tomato, chopped raw beet, a little chopped red onion, some arugula or cabbage, a 1/4 clove of finely chopped garlic, a teaspoon or two of olive oil and a lot of sherry vinegar, and a sprinkle of hot smoked paprika.

You might want to chew some sugar-free gum afterwards, but it is very healthy and very filling.

[Anonymous]

I make a quick salad, bag of lettuce, veggies left over from last nights dinner, some kid of protein, cheese, egg, leftover meat, tuna, beans. I also do a frozen entree about 1x per week..think it is still healthier/cheaper than eating out.

[Anonymous]

leftovers. doesn't get any easier than that!

[Anonymous]

Soups and chili this time of year. I love chili, but also eat a lot of lentil soup, tomato soup, black bean, and others. Usually I make a batch on the weekend and that gives me 3-4 lunch servings. Bring two fruits as a snack.

During the summer, I eat cut up veggies with hummus (with a wrap if you like) or apples and peanut butter.

[Anonymous]

peanut butter w/ banana or apple slices
Greek yogurt and add fresh berries & granola

[Anonymous]

I use a laptop lunchbox for myself and iit really has motivated me to pack a lunch.

There are four containers - I usually use the 2 biggest for fruits and veggies. Favorites are orange slices, grapes or strawberries for fruit. For veggies I usually take carrots and/or broccoli with the little dip container of ranch dressing for dipping.

I then add any of the following:
-Granola bars
-String cheese
-Vegetarian pepperoni
-Leftovers

Blanking on what else. This week I want to make an orzo pasta salad with spinach, mixed greens, orzo, pine nuts and lemon-garlic dressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I make a quick salad, bag of lettuce, veggies left over from last nights dinner, some kid of protein, cheese, egg, leftover meat, tuna, beans.

This. Also, yogurt with cut-up fruit (I pack in separate containers so the fruit doesn't go mushy, mix at work). Also, cottage cheese with tomato, avocado and balsamic vinegar (also separate containers).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:leftovers. doesn't get any easier than that!

same here

[Anonymous]

Define "healthy." I bring a frozen Health Choice meal and an apple.

[Anonymous]

The best leftovers for lunch are things like stir-fry. I do broccoli, asparagus, baby corn, tofu, etc, and make twice as much as we'll eat. I put the stir-fry on the bottom of the container and the rice on top, so that when I turn it over in the bowl, it's right-side-up.

Ditto for salads: veggies on the bottom, lettuce on top. I also throw in a hard-boiled egg and a kiddie cheese stick, to peel and slice on site.

[Anonymous]

I hate smelling other people's lunch at work. Ick.

[Anonymous]

I don't consider them healthy because of the sodium and preservatives, but for cheap and not high in fat/calories, I bring Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, WW or other frozen meals usually with a yogurt as well for something sweet.

It's not ideal. If we have leftovers, I'll do that instead.

In our building's cafeteria the soup is usually pretty cheap ($3 for a bowl), so I can also do that with a packet of crackers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate smelling other people's lunch at work. Ick.

Sucks for you. Guess you'll just have to pinch your nose and walk around like Angela from The Office.

[Anonymous]

I skip my urge for seconds at dinner and instead pack it for lunch the next day and have a glass of milk. I must do this 3-4 times a week. it has become pretty efficient and helped me lose a few pounds...works for us!