Tuesday, 16 December 2008
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Looking For Healthy Food During Lunch
It's hard for me to get too excited about my lunch break at work. My choices are either a sub-par frozen meal, or grabbing something quick at the drive-thru.
I've yet to pack my own healthy meal at home and bring it to work.
That's the odd part - I eat healthy at home, but when I'm at work, I grab cookies in the break room and nachos or a burger if I go out.
I'm just looking for instant gratification without really thinking about what I'm eating, which tends to be empty calories. Plus, with the holidays, we've been having snacks and sandwiches catered to the office.
As for fast food, there are only a few choices that are within a reasonable driving distance. So those are the ones I frequent most often. We're talking Panera Bread, Burger King and Taco Bell - nothing to be proud of when it comes to healthy eating. However, I've been getting on their web sites and looking at their lower-calorie choices.
For instance, I'll do a half-order of salad and a cup of soup at Panera, or a grilled chicken sandwich at Burger King. (Um, Taco Bell has no healthier alternatives, but I usually go with the bean burrito...protein maybe? Ha, OK, I got nothin'.)
Frozen meals are alright every now and then, but they can't be THAT good for you. since there's usually a ton of sodium and other preservatives in them.
So what do you eat at work or school? What kind of routine do you have for lunch? Do you always eat healthy for lunch?
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Comments (13)
Ham and salad sandwich on multigrain or wholemeal bread (white if its all we have, but then I might just have salad) Or quiche, or maybe a rice dish, sushi is a great lunch!
It saddens me how much Taco Bell gets bashed... Telling me that Burger King and Panera have healthier options but nothing especially healthy at Taco Bell? Really? As I've worked at Taco Bell and Burger King I can honestly tell you that you're guaranteed to find a lot more healthier choices at Taco Bell... Maybe not if you get Nachos Bell Grande with extra nacho cheese, sour cream, and beef but... that would be like going to Burger King and getting a Triple Whopper with extra cheese.
One of the healthiest things you can get (tastiest and most filling, too) is a Fresco Style Zesty Chicken Border Bowl. If you order anything at Taco Bell "Fresco Style" they take off the cheese, sauces, and tortilla strips (if you get a Border Bowl) so you're shaving down on a LOT of that not-so-good-for-you stuff and it tastes just as good. Plus, the beans in the Border Bowl have a lot of fiber (which most people are severely lacking in their diets) and protein, which means you feel full for longer.
As for the question you asked... my favorite "healthy" lunch from home is an everything bagel filled with peanut butter, a bunch of baby spinach leaves, red onion, and sometimes colby-jack cheese. It doesn't sound good but it's amazing.
i ate fries today.. with cheese, green onions, bacon and chicken on top. healthy, right?
i don't watch what i eat. i like my body okay. if i hit over 120lbs, then i'll worry about it.
Have you thought about packing a lunch the night before? I do that sometimes, but even if I don't, it only takes about 5 minutes in the morning to pack one, and that way you're saving money AND controlling what you eat.
And ditto what goodgirl_196 said about the Fresco items at Taco Bell.
i am a preschool teacher and i work rotating shifts. but i usually eat with the kids at certain times (snack/lunch) and i have my own lunch hour too. the food i eat with the kids are pretty healthy and nutritious.
@Erin1022@xanga - i do the same time too. i always pack my own lunch the night before. it saves so much money and for sure healthier!
I eat at home.. saves money, but if i was working a 9-5 as you are... i might indulge in cookies, and other sorts of horrible foods.
I guess the best thing you can do is say NO. Just do it. you'll get used to it and you won't crave those kinds of foods anymore.. buy a subway on your way to work... and make sure its one of the healthy sandwiches not with all that sauce/gravy/cheese.
If you work has a fridge your problem is easily solved. Make sandwiches at work. Have a large paper bag that has everything you need to make a sandwich. It takes just as long as going out to eat to make it and eat it. Its just people are lazy. It is also cheaper and better for you. I have opted with using Sara Lee Low cal low carb bread, and subst mayo with honey mustard. Doing little things here and there can go a very long way. I have noticed a slow drop in weight... Either way that is just my suggestion.
Mum always makes a bit extra for dinner so that I can pack that for lunch the next day. Saves time, tastes good and normally involves alot of salad. I rekcon that's healthy enough. Walking around uni ALOT also helps if I do gorge on something "luxurious".
When I first moved into dorms, I had to do all my cooking. Granted, it was really nothing to be proud of, I had the worst diet ever and actually looked forward to going home on the weekends simply for my mom's cooking. I lived off spaghetti and Roman Noodles, definitely not healthy. Occasionally I'd add fruits and vegetables (I am after all, a vegan, albeit I was quite an unhealthy one then).
They have a simple but nice lunch spread at my work.
Mostly bread & lots of things to put on it, so i usually stick to a sandwich & an apple.
PB&J, hummus & avacado are my favourites.
When i worked at a place where i had to bring my own lunch it would be pretty much the same as aboven - i love my sandwich!
Taking leftovers from last nights dinner always works for me as well.
Goodluck ( :
i just try and pack some fruit and lunch meat or nuts. making it the night before is such an easier way to make things healthy because its right there at your fingertips instead of searching for everything the day of.
if you eat at panera get half mediterranean veggie sandwich half brocolli cheddar soup and youve got yourself a healthy and amazing lunch. just dont make dinner a big production.
i pack a lunch. a serving of whole wheat pasta with sauce or perhaps brown rice with a stir fry and a couple snacks.
I'd say you're best bet is to have a bunch of "grab" foods at home:
Get a bunch of easy to travel fruits like apples, pears, bananas, oranges, etc.If you soak oatmeal in milk with some sugar or honey for a while, it softens and you have your own kind of swiss oatmeal. no stove needed or anything!Canned Tuna and salmon are a life saver, too. Lately, I've fallen in love with tuna, so I just scoop some tuna in a pita-bread and rush out the door. It's pretty satisfying.My life in college is filled w/ a lot of down time and junk food opportunities (lots of vending machines...) but I plan smart. I have a poop-promoting breakfast (haha, oatmeal wins!) with coffee and a fruit, a protien in a carb with a fruit, a fruit snack, then i come home to a nice normal dinner. :)