It was slim pickins for breakfast this morning. We are out of everything! 
But, being out of everything usually means that no food went to waste! 
Somehow, I managed to scavenge a healthy breakfast of oats, frozen berries, ground flaxseed meal, and a big ol’ scoop of Barney Butter. Fresh berries are always great to have on hand, especially for instances like this when you have no food!
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With a multi-vitamin and a fish oil supplement…
Lunch Preview
It was also slim pickins in the lunch department. For today’s lunch, I came up with a can of Organic Lentil Soup, some wrinkly grape tomatoes, an orange, and a Luna bar. Not a bad lunch, but I’ve had better. Personally, I’d much rather pack my own lunch than purchase it.
Bring Your Lunch
Bringing your lunch to work (or school) is an easy strategy to save money and cut calories from your diet.
Making meals at home gives you control over calories and fat as well as the quality and kind of ingredients that you use. It’s the little things that add up, like high calorie and fat condiments and cooking methods. For instance, a typical take-out sandwich can have as much as 200 calories worth of mayo on it (Shape, January 2009)! Yikes! Making your sandwich at home with light mayo or even a lower calorie condiment like mustard can cut 100-150 calories!
The money that you save on homemade lunches will also add up fast. “We spend about $6.50 a day on lunch,” says Harry Balzer, vice president of the NPD Group, a marketing research company. If you do the math, a daily $6.50 lunch means $130 per month and almost $1700 over the course of the year! Yowsahs! If you take your lunch to work a few times a week, both your figure and finances will thank you!
Tips for Homemade Lunches
- Bring leftovers from dinner for lunch. Pack them for lunch when you are cleaning-up from dinner.
- Make it a wrap! Use a whole wheat or other flavored wrap to make a veggie-packed sandwich for lunch. Wraps are easily transportable, and the add-in possibilities are endless!
- Plan ahead. On Sundays, I will chop-up carrot sticks or a big cantaloup, portion-out plastic baggies full of cereal, and plan potential meals and snacks for the upcoming week.
- Have the right gear. Buy some sturdy and travel-friendly containers as well as a cute lunch bag. The right lunchware makes life so much easier. Plus having nice things keeps me motivated to prepare nutritious lunches. My lunch tote is a simple one from Crate and Barrel.
Easy Lunches
- 2 slices of whole wheat bread, 1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter, 1 sliced banana, 1 container of low-fat or Greek yogurt
- 2 cups mixed greens + lots of veggies, 2 ounces of chicken, tofu or 1/2 cup canned tuna, 1 serving of whole grain crackers, 1/2 cup of fresh berries, piece of quality dark chocolate
- 1 veggie burger, 1 whole grain English muffin or bun, 1 slice cheese, sliced tomato, onion, cucumbers, spinach, etc, 1 piece of fruit
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup fresh fruit, carrot sticks, 1 homemade muffin or piece sweet bread
- 1 cup lentil soup, split pea, or vegetarian chili, 1 serving of whole grain crackers, carrot sticks, 1 piece of fresh fruit
- 1 whole wheat pita, 1/4 cup hummus, sliced cucumbers and peppers, 1 container of Greek yogurt with cereal and/or honey
- 1 slice leftover homemade pizza, small garden salad, Larabar (or other similar bar)
- You can also search “Lunch Preview” on my blog to find additional ideas.
Final Day to Enter
Question of the Day
Are you a “lunch bringer” or “lunch buyer”? If you’re a “bringer,” what’s your favorite lunch to pack?
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I work from home, so I pretty much am always a bringer LOL!
Although my fridge looks like yours right now.
I’m definitely a lunch bringer, because it’s easier (than walk to buy food), it’s healthy, it saves time (I spend less time by eating at office than going out for lunch) and lastly it saves money.
Time for you to go food-shopping!!
**I’ve been a “lunch bringer” my whole life!!
I always pack my lunch. I leave my wallet at home so I am not tempted to change my mind and buy something. My favorite lunch is spaghetti squash with marinara sauce a Laughing Cow wedge and a Gardenburger Portabella burger, heat through and mixed togehter! So good and all you have to do beforehand is cook the spahghetti squash!
I LOVE to pack lunch. It makes me feel healthier and more satisfied!
My name is Sarah and I am a lunch bringer. haha…
Always have been. My favorites are always the leftovers from the night before (homemade pizza with carrot sticks, leftover mac and cheese with a side salad, etc.) but for a special treat, I’ll make homemade sushi (REALLY easy to make!).
And, of course, I absolutely love you almond butter n’ banana sandwich idea. That’s one of my regulars because I just love it so much.
When I worked outside my home, I was always a lunch bringer! I actually don’t understand wanting to eat lunch out everyday. It’s a lot of money and I get tired quickly of eating restaurant food.
I always bring my lunch…saves $$ and time! I posted a similar note today!
I’m a teacher with a non-negotiable 40 minute lunch (someone has to pick up the kids!), so I always bring my lunch. But, I would bring it even if I had more time. My favorite thing to do is make a big pot of soup on Sunday and eat it throughout the week.
I bring my lunch for all of the reasons you mention! Like Anna above, I also make a large batch of soup to eat through the week.
I always bring a lunch to work with me! Even when i was young my parents always sent me with a packed lunch to school. Great ideas you posted!!
off topic, but i was just watching the today show and they were talking about this http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29393995/ (the video with that article isnt what was on the today show). But anyway, the woman that was talking said that women should be only eating 1200 calories a day, even active women to maintain your weight. doesnt that seem pretty darn low? i dont count my calories ever, but i am pretty sure im eating more (probably alot more) than 1200 cals a day, and i workout for 45 minutes 5-6 times a day and not trying to lose weight.
woah, i meant week, not day. oops.
Definitely a lunch-bringer. My favorite has to be any leftovers.
cool thanks for these tips! And your breakfast looks beautiful even if you were low on ingredients!
Thanks for the great tips! I’ve been mostly a buyer in the past, trying to transition to bringer, and these lunch ideas will definitely help me put together something that’s healthy!
I’m def a bringer. I like to keep it pretty simple my fav lunches are a soup and sald combo!
I am a 100% lunch bringer (unless I make plans to meet a friend for lunch at a restaurant). My staple lunch is roasted sweet potatoes with rosemary and sea salt. I roast them at home and the put in my lunch container. I then pop the container into the microwave at work to reheat them. Delicious, filling, healthy, and inexpensive!
I bring my lunch about 50% of the time, and buy it the other 50%. When I bring lunch, I usually have grilled vegetables in a high-fiber wrap along with a piece of fruit, or an eggwhite sandwich with reduced fat cheese and turkey bacon on a multigran Enligsh muffin accompanied by a salad. I vary my lunch occasionally, but these two options are my favorites.
When I buy lunch, I typically get a make-your-own salad with grilled chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, a little bit of goat cheese, and balsamic vinegar. Or, I’ll get a reduced fat/reduced calorie flatbread sandwich from Cosi (the feta and roasted veggie one is really good, with good nutritionals). If I’m very pressed for time, I sometimes resort to a protein bar (I try to get ones with very little sugar and at least 18 grams of protein, like ThinkThin), and have it along with an apple or orange.
I always bring my lunch, too — and I eat up all of my leftovers this way!
I agree that a fabulous lunch bag makes it more enticing to pack things up every day!
Jenn, I wanted to respond to your comment–1,200 calories a day is very low (the bare minimum) and not advisable for anyone who is active. If you work out most days of the week for 45-minute stretches, you can easily eat anywhere from 1,700-2,2000 calories, depending on your individuals needs and health objectives. I don’t count calories, but I hardly *ever* go below 2,000–I run 6 miles or more almost every day, and could not possibly function with fewer calories! I think it’s highly irresponsible for any health professional to espouse the ‘value’ of active women eating 1,200 calories a day. For the vast majority of women, that number is just too low, and will ensure that they won’t be getting the nutrients they need.
Um, I meant 2,200 calories, not 22,000
I always bring my lunch. It’s such an easy way to save money and eat healthy. My favorite lunch is kashi crackers w/ seriously sharp cheddar cheese, a piece of fruit, and some veggies. It may not seem like much but it’s satisfying and tasty. I don’t like sandwiches very much so this is a good way to get in grains and dairy.
I am a total lunch bringer! My favorite thing to bring for lunch is kind of borning but I love to make a good pb and j or a good turkey sammy with lots of lettuce and mustard. For other things in my lunch, you will always find a fruit and a veggie and some sort of sweet treat like a granola bar or a cookie. I have a huge sweet tooth so it is a must!
Your refrigerator is immaculate!! I wouldn’t dare show the inside of mine. . .!!;)
honey wheat english muffin with a french onion laughing cow, 2 slices of turkey and some honey mustard..mmm and usually carrots and cottage cheese. i allow myself to buy lunch once a week just because i work around so many good lunch places i would be crazy not to but somehow i always end up at falafel king..haha
I go home for lunch every day – it’s so nice!
I am a lunch bringer!
1. pbj on an english muffin
2. plain yogurt, apple butter, and Kashi Heart to Heart
3. hard boiled eggs and cottage cheese
4. veggie wrap with hummus
I’m a lunch bringer! It’s cheaper and I’m poor!
I like that oatmeal bowl by the way!
Great tips! I am a lunch bringer! I also have a stash of oats up at work for days when I don’t have time for lunch and need to grab something quick!
Oh, I’m a bring-lunch-everyday kinda girl! If I didn’t, I’d be broke! My fave? Peppered turkey, avocado, spinach and laughing cow cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread. Yummm. Paired with a piece of fruit, and I’m golden!
@jenn: Yes, it does! Personally, I would pass out only eating 1200 calories a day! I think people should do what works for them. I eat 1800-2200 (or more!) calories per day, and I have maintained by weight for almost 5 years.
I am a lunch bringer, but meet a friend for lunch about once a week (when it’s warmer, we actually bring lunch and meet at the park!) My new favorite lunch to bring is a wrap made with the spinach flat out wraps. I wrap it in alum. foil and it feels like I went out to buy something! I am also trying to cut costs, so I’m giving up Starbucks for Lent – eek!
I’m so fortunate to live close enough to work so I can walk home for lunch everyday. If I didn’t, though, I would definitely pack! When I used to live near D.C. I interned at a Smithsonian museum and would buy lunch at Union Station – which cost around $9/day. I got over that pretty quick!
I am always a lunch bringer! I am glad to read this post becuase I want to try to switch up my lunches. I bring the same thing all of the time, I need some variety!
My go to lunch is a big bowl of baby greens, carrots, cucumbers, tomato, peppers (red yellow green),sometimes beets, sometimes mushrooms. Topped with dried cranberries, balsamic vinagrette & either cottage cheese or peanuts. It us super yummy!
Then I always have some kind of bar and piece of fruit later in the afternoon.
Lunch-bringer here… Started doing it years ago when i wanted to buy a house and realized that I could be building a down-payment with the money I saved from buying lunch.
I’m not sure I have a favorite, per se, but I do bring a lot of soup. It’s just easy, convenient, full of veggies and filling.
in college, i eat in the cafe 4/7 days of the week. all other days, i eat in my room: peanut butter on WW, yogurt and an apple. never fails!
(at the college cafe i make a grilled turkey & cheese or eat a veggie burger!)
I try to be a lunch bringer but it is hard with all my restrictions. I remember back in the day I would buy a $10 salad almost every day for lunch – how ridiculous!
I loved pack lunches b/c it means you don’t have to waste time deciding what to have or where to go for lunch. I really do not like eating out in general, it’s very time consuming and usually the food is just meh. I think its great that you listed different options for packed lunch! I think some people get in a rut of packed luches and usually end up going out for lunch b/c they don’t want pb&j AGAIN!
I always bring leftovers for lunch, and its gotten to the point where my coworkers are eager to see what I had for dinner last night by what I bring for lunch!
that’s what i thought! i can’t believe they would be giving advice like that on the today show.
Eek! That’s what my fridge is starting to look like too. I never know where all the food goes!
I’m a lunch bringer. My favorite thing is wraps. So easy! I used to buy lunch but that meant shelling out about $10 a day, which adds up SO fast!
this is silly, but i just bought that lentil soup at whole foods a week ago, but i haven’t tried it yet. hahah
http://www.IamBee-Steph.blogspot.com
I pack breakfast/lunch/snacks at least four out of the five work days. My favorite lunches are usually when I pack leftovers from something amazing I made the night before.
For instance today I have baked cod, rice pilaf, and steamed broccoli/cauliflower with a banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookie (thanks for the recipe!) for dessert. I am going to absolutely KILL my lunch today after my insane spinning class at noon!
I always pack a lunch because it’s such a money saver, plus I think I can pack way tastier food then I will find anywhere on campus. My favorite is an Ezekial tortilla with hummus, and veggies, with a piece of fruit and string cheese on the side. Really satisfying and yummy!
Lunch Bringer for sure. I bring my lunch everyday. I enjoy knowing exactly what I’m eating everyday. I try to change it up every week but I usually have a sandwich, side snack and a piece of fruit.
I am so lucky because I live literally a 4 minute walk away from work. I go home everyday to make lunch and rarely eat lunch out. Why? I like to save money. I want to know what’s going into my food. And it’s also my favorite part of the day. (It’s fabulous down time and a chance to get away from my desk.) A lot of my coworkers skip lunch (which seems like a really bad idea) or go to the dining hall (it’s pretty cheap but the food’s not that great in my opinion).
Sarah
I am lucky enough where I have the opportunity to drive home for lunch, but whe I do have to eat lunch in the office (like today) I pack it up. I HATE wasting money and calories by going out to eat. I like to have control of my food and wallet.
I love bringing a healthy lunch to work! Most of the time it’s leftovers from dinner- easy and cheap!
Hey Tina! I think you did pretty darn good for a “not having anything in the fridge” kinda day!! Kudos to you
I’m definitely a bring-your-own-lunch kinda girl. I love making whole wheat wraps stuffed with refried beans (a can goes a long way with lunches!), greens, salsa, cheese, and tomatoes! Soup is always a healthy option too!
Have a great day, it’s almost the weekend!!!!
Michelle
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