Budget friendly healthy lunches for work

[Ginny Favers]

I do the leftovers thing, too. Now, it's programmed into my life that when I'm making dinner, I make a little extra for the next day, or next two days. Also, if we go out to dinner during the week (which we do maybe once or twice a month), I'll have half of it bagged for lunch... restaurants always seem to give enough of a portion for two meals!

Also, I spent my entire 20's bringing in Lean Cuisine to work, and I am not dead yet. They're good in a pinch.

 

[njmom47]

Sounds yummy!
What spices (or is there a specific recipe you use)?

 

[pryncess527]

As part of my goal to eat healthy, I've actually stopped eating a lunch all together -- instead, I have a wide variety of healthy snacks and try to have a small snack every 2 hours.

So I have: Fiber One bars, string cheese, Naked Juice Green Machine, Dark Chocolate covered Pomegranate seeds (all bought in bulk from Bjs/Costoc), apples and almonds.

Those snacks, spaced out, satisfy me all day for a pretty low cost.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I keep it simple for work. Sandwich or half sandwich on whole grain bread. Sometimes cheese and lunch meat, sometimes just cheese, sometimes PB. I usually bring a fruit, and something like pretzels, and maybe a protein bar. It takes me like 3 minutes to throw it together.

I have this coworker who is always complaining about wanting to lose weight and not being able to, and never having enough money. Well, she eats out for lunch every day at fast food places. Just pack your lunch!

 

[ninecrayons]

I do leftovers for lunch as well. We're just a family of two and since recipes are usually for 4 or 6, it's easy to portion out.

One of my favorite sites for budget friendly and reasonably healthy meals is called Budget Bytes. Seriously good stuff - I've never made anything from her that hasn't been totally tasty.

I also tend to use my slow cooker a lot to prepare meals. Totally time friendly! Usually I'll make a whole chicken in it at least once a week, then use the leftover chicken for recipes throughout the week.

And I totally agree - packing your meals the night before is key! We usually include that as part of cleanup after the meal.