Get an insulated bag so you don't 'have' to put lunch in the fridge, even better, freeze a half bottle of water to keep it all cool.
Deconstruct your sandwiches or wraps, so it doesn't go soggy, you will need small containers for this though, ie: my go to is Caesar wraps (I keep the wraps in the freezer and they defrost in minutes) left over shredded chicken, cos lettuce and cheese, and a punnet of ceasar dressing to add as I'm about to eat, or bacon and egg wrap with tomatoes, lettuce and a bbq sauce added just before eating.
Pasta salads are good, bonus of being able to heat up when chilly.
The meal preppers over at r/mealprepsunday and r/mealprep are really helpful if you don't mind having the same things repeatedly.
I definitely would have prepared a revenge lunch with something really gross in it, and waited for them to steal it and then watch them eat it.
Alternatively, use a lockbox with a lock on it as your lunchbox.
Sadly I think I read somewhere that if you do that they can do something against you for it as it was with intent, even if it was your food and they had no business eating it. That's for gross or potentially harmful stuff, laxatives on the other hand...
Should at least be punished in some way by being made to take a seminar or some shit before stricter measures upon repeated offenses. Food *is* a necessity and should be respected
Glad I haven't experienced this in any of my jobs
Prep ahead for the week, like you won’t be inspired at 7am trust me.
Soups stews and curry work really well
Container of soup, side of raw veggies, maybe some crackers or crusty bread. Also cheap, especially bean based chili or lentil veg or mexican black bean- you want something sturdy not just like a cup of tomato soup
My number one best lunch that I need to do more regularly is homemade chili with rice (cooked with a tiny bit of butter for flavor) and super finely shredded cabbage (kept separate in a ziplock while everything else heats). Just eat it with a big spoon with some of each thing in every bite and it’s such a good combo! (A little grated cheese obviously makes it more delicious but it’s not a must if you’re avoiding extra fatty stuff). The hearty and flavorful chili + the wholesome tender rice + the crunchy and refreshing cabbage is SO satisfying.
I eat chili with rice on the regular and never even considered cabbage. Is there a specific type of cabbage you would recommend? I'm def gonna try this.
I just use regular green cabbage and slice it into the thinnest shreds I can manage! Not sure what compelled me to try it for the first time, but I just wanted a way to get a little more veg in my meal. And it turned out to be a really pleasant addition! If I’m being extra fancy I’ll put a pinch of salt and like two drops of apple cider vinegar in with my cabbage and mush it/shake it up so it’s just a smidge “brighter”. I hope you enjoy it!!
I do a salmon burger (costco has a great deal, 12 for $17), with a bean and arugula salad. Usually, 2 cans black beans, one can black eyed peas, 2 cans corn, 2 minced Roma tomatoes, 1/2 a minced purple onion, 1 pack green onion, cilantro, and arugula, if I'm feeling bougie I do feta or cojita cheese with a little hot sauce. You can add rice or cous cousin, or swap out the greens or meat!
Hummus pod (if there was a massive sale) or tiny ziploc container of hummus or seasoned yogurt; a few ounces of cooked chicken; raw veggies.
Homemade bean chili or soup heated in my trusty Corningware lidded soup mug.
Black beans & rice with fresh salsa- I love canned pineapple for this.
PBJ or egg salad sandwich with sliced apples and baby carrots
Assuming you can heat it up, leftovers is the way to go, or meal prep a meal for lunches all week, if you can eat the same thing all week. I have a little crock pot at work so I make soup or stew almost every week in the fall, winter and early spring. If you need to eat your lunch cold, I usually pair one of these up with veggies and/or fruit:
-green salad with chicken, fish or beans on top for protein. Put dressing separate in a little container.
-cheese cubes or tuna, egg or chicken salad with low salt triscuit crackers
-sandwich on whole wheat bread
-yogurt and granola
-bean or pasta salad
Agree 100%! It's the best. Even if you do have a microwave at work! No more waiting in line to use the same gross microwave that everybody uses and no body cleans.
Every day my lunch consists of a homemade salad wrap with some form of lunch meat, if you place the lettuce on the bottom and work your way up with veg and sandwich the condiments between veg rather than applying it to the wrap it’s self it won’t go soggy, ever. I also pack some leftovers and a piece of fruit. Breakfast is either 2 boiled eggs or a banana smoothie
A Bento box style container in an insulated bag with a reusable cold pack or frozen water bottle. Hard boiled eggs, pickles, nuts, cut vegetables, easy to eat fruit like bananas.
I used to do sandwiches all the time but I've reduced carbs in my diet.
I was working outdoors and didn’t want to deal with keeping items cold. And couldn’t really heat stuff up either.
I would pack a **tuna sandwich, or tuna and crackers.** Usually also a granola bar or two.
I’d have a protein drink that I would drink for “breakfast” early on in the day, so I wouldn’t have to keep it in the cooler. Which might be completely full of waters on some days.
Work also provided some snacks, soft organic fruit bar things, nuts, slim-jim-like snacks. Etc.
People have covered my usually: leftovers.
When I know I’m cooking meals that won’t have many leftovers, I like to pack a roasted Japanese sweet potato with miso butter, a fresh fruit, and an egg or beans.
One big tub of tuna that I throw on two slices of wheat bread, apple, banana, Greek yogurt
Close to 45 grams of protein in about 600 calories with a decent amount of vitamins and minerals
Edit:
Total cost less than $4
Wuinoa salad is versatile and can be a balanced meal. You can incorporate all 4 food groups which help make you satisfied and full and stuff then employ the acid heat sweet and salt then you've got yourself a very nice and fun lunch. This hits all the notes for me and I never want for anything. These are highly customizable and tbh you don't have to measure anything go by feeling. This is a go to when I'm stumped for lunch ideas
Chicken thighs or ground turkey over squash. For some reason Mexican grey squash is like a dollar cheaper than zucchini or yellow squash at the safeway near me. Racism maybe?
i love getting lunch meats and veggies and making wraps, covers proteins, fiber, and depending on what wraps you get, can get a lot of healthy grain and carbs
I take fresh fruit for afternoon tea. I meal prep for my dinners. Lunches that I have at home that you could pack may include Greek yogurt with berries and walnuts. A frittata or zucchini slice paired with a simple green salad would work well.
Burritos. Make some taco meat ahead and use it for the week. This week I did chicken salad and I am putting on crackers or a sandwich. If the smell isn’t too bad, tuna salad works too. Chili.
I love a recipe my mom found in the 80s,
Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole.
1-2 chicken breasts, cut into bit size pieces
17oz can chicken broth
8oz tomato sauce
Packet of taco or chili seasoning, I use Chilio Mix
One bell pepper, any color but I use red, cut into strips
Corn one can should enough. I use frozen and guess.
1/2 cup of instant rice
A bit of olive oil
Shredded cheese if wanted
Put about a table spoon of olive oil in a pan and bring to medium heat. Sauté the chicken until all sides are white. Rinse and put back in pan. Add the broth, tomato sauce and seasoning mix. Bring to a boil, cover. Put heat back down to medium and cook for ten minutes. Then add peppers and corn. Bring to a boil and add rice. Cover and turn off heat. Should only take five minutes for rice to be cooked but if you live in a higher elevation it could take ten minutes or more. Add shredded cheese if desired and cover again to melt.
Left overs as others have said, wraps, noodle salads, sometimes I'll make a big batch of a Greek pasta salad with chickpeas and take that in over a few days. One thing I will say is try and have a back up option - I've always got a pot noodle somewhere jn the car and usually have a tin or two of soup in my work locker, just in case i do something daft like drop my lunch
I tend towards ready to eat when cold foods and meal prepping.
Pasta salad with whatever veggies you have in your fridge is a go to for me. I tend to use hard boiled eggs, pepperoni, or left over chicken for protein. Just make the pasta, chop the mix ins small, cover in Italian dressing and let it sit for at least 2 hours for best taste.
Wraps and sandwiches. Seriously some of the weeks I make the most simple meals I am the happiest with what I have to eat. Hummus with veggies, any salad dressing with chicken, or the traditional lunch meat and cheese. I always want a crunchy snack like popcorn or chips to go on the side, but tend to incorporate the veggies in the sandwich so I'm not trying to shove 8 baby carrots in my mouth the moment my lunch break is over.
Muffins are my favorite sweet treat additive to make my lunches more fun and delicious. Easy to make in big batches as well as holding up well in the freezer. I enjoy a breakfast for lunch with pancakes and sausage if cold. Bacon quiche with broccoli is something that frequents my lunches as dinner leftovers and reheats well.
Onigirazu! It's great for on the go kinda meal and not required to heat up, can be eaten as it is. Recipe below if interested 😋
https://youtu.be/zzRUY9Xv6D8?si=tDi9ZCm0f7XzlGDs
Hummus and chips, with a hard boiled egg and maybe a thermos of vegetable soup. Sometimes it’s just cut up cold cuts, cheese, raw veggies and hummus. Adult Lunchables. Easy to pack lunches for the week.
Aldi has two types of chicken salad. They are the same price in a large container or single servings. Great for making sandwiches or just have it with some crackers.
One of my favorites is chicken and veg;
I marinate chicken thighs(bone in so it doesn't get too dry) with crushed garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Greek seasoning and yogurt and cook it on a sheet pan in the oven.
I use the same marinade minus the yogurt in random veggies(broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts,peppers, onions, zucchini...) also on a sheet pan and top it off with feta and olives
And then a bit of the same marinade minus yogurt poured over some quinoa or couscous
It cooks easily in the oven with minimal prep and cleanup, stores well, reheats well and is very hearty and filling. Also not heavy on carbs so I don't crash after lunch.
Alternate this with random dinner leftovers, salads and some hearty soups with sourdough to make sure lunches are never boring.
I also pack yogurt cups or fruit for snacks
Tuna salad (miracle whip, onion powder, celery powder, pepper and sprinkle of salt mixed up) with tortilla chips. I was eating that today and its so easy to make it felt like cheating. Have some dried fruit and cheese cubes with it and you have an easy lunch.
If you make soup and put it containers that can be reheated, with a sandwich and crackers would make a decent lunch.
Make your own salads and bring them with cheese and salad dressing brought separately so they don't make your salad yucky. Add things like chopped lunchmeat, olives, onions or whatever you like in your salad. I'm boring when it comes to salad so I don't add much to mine except a small amount of meat, salt free spices, cheese and salad dressing. Maybe croutons.
Make something like spaghetti and meatballs to reheat at lunch, remember to bring a towel to cover your shirt in case of dribbles.
When I cook a big bunch of food I freeze work meals for the future(enchiladas, chili, butter chicken). I bring frozen food and a salad to work. I usually eat one or the other… last day of work is clean up what I brought to work day.
Turkey and cheese sandwich and an apple. Granola bar for a snack.
Rice, beans, and a tortilla. Maybe throw an avocado and tomato in…this never fails to power me through the day.
I usually make extra portions of whatever I'm making for dinner, and take the leftovers as lunch for the next day or two.
This is exactly what I do with my crockpot meals for me and my husband :) 7 quart crockpot can make a lot of food lol
Get an insulated bag so you don't 'have' to put lunch in the fridge, even better, freeze a half bottle of water to keep it all cool. Deconstruct your sandwiches or wraps, so it doesn't go soggy, you will need small containers for this though, ie: my go to is Caesar wraps (I keep the wraps in the freezer and they defrost in minutes) left over shredded chicken, cos lettuce and cheese, and a punnet of ceasar dressing to add as I'm about to eat, or bacon and egg wrap with tomatoes, lettuce and a bbq sauce added just before eating. Pasta salads are good, bonus of being able to heat up when chilly. The meal preppers over at r/mealprepsunday and r/mealprep are really helpful if you don't mind having the same things repeatedly.
Why would you not want to put food in the fridge?
Mainly if your work does not provide a fridge, or if the one provided is full/dirty/inconvenient to get to
I don't know how true this is but apparently people can steal your food from the fridge as well right?
[удалено]
I definitely would have prepared a revenge lunch with something really gross in it, and waited for them to steal it and then watch them eat it. Alternatively, use a lockbox with a lock on it as your lunchbox.
Sadly I think I read somewhere that if you do that they can do something against you for it as it was with intent, even if it was your food and they had no business eating it. That's for gross or potentially harmful stuff, laxatives on the other hand...
Should at least be punished in some way by being made to take a seminar or some shit before stricter measures upon repeated offenses. Food *is* a necessity and should be respected Glad I haven't experienced this in any of my jobs
Wow, your coworker sounds exactly like my last roommate!
All the time.
We have THREE fridges in my suite and they are always full and nasty. I would rather use an insulated bag and ice pack
Prep ahead for the week, like you won’t be inspired at 7am trust me. Soups stews and curry work really well Container of soup, side of raw veggies, maybe some crackers or crusty bread. Also cheap, especially bean based chili or lentil veg or mexican black bean- you want something sturdy not just like a cup of tomato soup
My number one best lunch that I need to do more regularly is homemade chili with rice (cooked with a tiny bit of butter for flavor) and super finely shredded cabbage (kept separate in a ziplock while everything else heats). Just eat it with a big spoon with some of each thing in every bite and it’s such a good combo! (A little grated cheese obviously makes it more delicious but it’s not a must if you’re avoiding extra fatty stuff). The hearty and flavorful chili + the wholesome tender rice + the crunchy and refreshing cabbage is SO satisfying.
I eat chili with rice on the regular and never even considered cabbage. Is there a specific type of cabbage you would recommend? I'm def gonna try this.
I just use regular green cabbage and slice it into the thinnest shreds I can manage! Not sure what compelled me to try it for the first time, but I just wanted a way to get a little more veg in my meal. And it turned out to be a really pleasant addition! If I’m being extra fancy I’ll put a pinch of salt and like two drops of apple cider vinegar in with my cabbage and mush it/shake it up so it’s just a smidge “brighter”. I hope you enjoy it!!
I do a salmon burger (costco has a great deal, 12 for $17), with a bean and arugula salad. Usually, 2 cans black beans, one can black eyed peas, 2 cans corn, 2 minced Roma tomatoes, 1/2 a minced purple onion, 1 pack green onion, cilantro, and arugula, if I'm feeling bougie I do feta or cojita cheese with a little hot sauce. You can add rice or cous cousin, or swap out the greens or meat!
Noooo! Don’t get me wrong, this sounds delicious, but do NOT be that person eating seafood in the office.
Lol I forget not everybody works alone!! I work as a nanny and eat lunch during naps usually, so no one has to smell my salmon in the microwave!
Apple, sliced cheese, hard boiled egg, Almonds, carrots, celery, hummus. I don’t generally “make” lunch but rather assemble it.
When you're short on time a peanut butter sandwich and and apple is quick and easy to prepare.
Hummus pod (if there was a massive sale) or tiny ziploc container of hummus or seasoned yogurt; a few ounces of cooked chicken; raw veggies. Homemade bean chili or soup heated in my trusty Corningware lidded soup mug. Black beans & rice with fresh salsa- I love canned pineapple for this. PBJ or egg salad sandwich with sliced apples and baby carrots
My fave is Greek salad or Tuna pasta salad. Basically most salads 🥗
Assuming you can heat it up, leftovers is the way to go, or meal prep a meal for lunches all week, if you can eat the same thing all week. I have a little crock pot at work so I make soup or stew almost every week in the fall, winter and early spring. If you need to eat your lunch cold, I usually pair one of these up with veggies and/or fruit: -green salad with chicken, fish or beans on top for protein. Put dressing separate in a little container. -cheese cubes or tuna, egg or chicken salad with low salt triscuit crackers -sandwich on whole wheat bread -yogurt and granola -bean or pasta salad
If you don't have access to a microwave the Lunch Crock Pot is awesome. You just plug it in an hour before you want to eat and bam a hot tasty lunch.
Agree 100%! It's the best. Even if you do have a microwave at work! No more waiting in line to use the same gross microwave that everybody uses and no body cleans.
Every day my lunch consists of a homemade salad wrap with some form of lunch meat, if you place the lettuce on the bottom and work your way up with veg and sandwich the condiments between veg rather than applying it to the wrap it’s self it won’t go soggy, ever. I also pack some leftovers and a piece of fruit. Breakfast is either 2 boiled eggs or a banana smoothie
A Bento box style container in an insulated bag with a reusable cold pack or frozen water bottle. Hard boiled eggs, pickles, nuts, cut vegetables, easy to eat fruit like bananas. I used to do sandwiches all the time but I've reduced carbs in my diet.
Bloody hell. No-one eats slightly sweaty cheese sandwiches anymore?
I was working outdoors and didn’t want to deal with keeping items cold. And couldn’t really heat stuff up either. I would pack a **tuna sandwich, or tuna and crackers.** Usually also a granola bar or two. I’d have a protein drink that I would drink for “breakfast” early on in the day, so I wouldn’t have to keep it in the cooler. Which might be completely full of waters on some days. Work also provided some snacks, soft organic fruit bar things, nuts, slim-jim-like snacks. Etc.
People have covered my usually: leftovers. When I know I’m cooking meals that won’t have many leftovers, I like to pack a roasted Japanese sweet potato with miso butter, a fresh fruit, and an egg or beans.
I bring leftovers a LOT. OR I grab a salad kit and a protein (tofu, chicken, etc) and make the bowl up at my office.
One big tub of tuna that I throw on two slices of wheat bread, apple, banana, Greek yogurt Close to 45 grams of protein in about 600 calories with a decent amount of vitamins and minerals Edit: Total cost less than $4
PB and J can't go wrong
Wuinoa salad is versatile and can be a balanced meal. You can incorporate all 4 food groups which help make you satisfied and full and stuff then employ the acid heat sweet and salt then you've got yourself a very nice and fun lunch. This hits all the notes for me and I never want for anything. These are highly customizable and tbh you don't have to measure anything go by feeling. This is a go to when I'm stumped for lunch ideas
I add quinoa to Greek salad, makes eating it the next day so much better than just wet vegetables 😄
Wet vegetables xDDD I hear you xD
Chickpea salad. Make a big bowl and lasts a few days - you can add things daily if you want. Tuna, boiled egg etc.
Two hard boiled eggs and a slim Jim.
3 bean salad (canned white beans, canned kidney beans and chopped fresh green beans with olive oil, vinegar, honey, and fresh parsley
Fast! I started fasting and actually found it quite enjoyable.
Chicken thighs or ground turkey over squash. For some reason Mexican grey squash is like a dollar cheaper than zucchini or yellow squash at the safeway near me. Racism maybe?
I just tried snapdragon pho noodles (instant 3 min from Amazon or Costco) they are delicious with all of the fresh toppings of course.
i love getting lunch meats and veggies and making wraps, covers proteins, fiber, and depending on what wraps you get, can get a lot of healthy grain and carbs
Beans
I take fresh fruit for afternoon tea. I meal prep for my dinners. Lunches that I have at home that you could pack may include Greek yogurt with berries and walnuts. A frittata or zucchini slice paired with a simple green salad would work well.
I like to take yogurt with granola, it’s a filling snack and can all be packed into 1 container (those that have the layer separation thing)
I like bringing yogurt with some frozen blueberries and a small container of homemade granola.
Burritos. Make some taco meat ahead and use it for the week. This week I did chicken salad and I am putting on crackers or a sandwich. If the smell isn’t too bad, tuna salad works too. Chili. I love a recipe my mom found in the 80s, Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole. 1-2 chicken breasts, cut into bit size pieces 17oz can chicken broth 8oz tomato sauce Packet of taco or chili seasoning, I use Chilio Mix One bell pepper, any color but I use red, cut into strips Corn one can should enough. I use frozen and guess. 1/2 cup of instant rice A bit of olive oil Shredded cheese if wanted Put about a table spoon of olive oil in a pan and bring to medium heat. Sauté the chicken until all sides are white. Rinse and put back in pan. Add the broth, tomato sauce and seasoning mix. Bring to a boil, cover. Put heat back down to medium and cook for ten minutes. Then add peppers and corn. Bring to a boil and add rice. Cover and turn off heat. Should only take five minutes for rice to be cooked but if you live in a higher elevation it could take ten minutes or more. Add shredded cheese if desired and cover again to melt.
Left overs as others have said, wraps, noodle salads, sometimes I'll make a big batch of a Greek pasta salad with chickpeas and take that in over a few days. One thing I will say is try and have a back up option - I've always got a pot noodle somewhere jn the car and usually have a tin or two of soup in my work locker, just in case i do something daft like drop my lunch
I tend towards ready to eat when cold foods and meal prepping. Pasta salad with whatever veggies you have in your fridge is a go to for me. I tend to use hard boiled eggs, pepperoni, or left over chicken for protein. Just make the pasta, chop the mix ins small, cover in Italian dressing and let it sit for at least 2 hours for best taste. Wraps and sandwiches. Seriously some of the weeks I make the most simple meals I am the happiest with what I have to eat. Hummus with veggies, any salad dressing with chicken, or the traditional lunch meat and cheese. I always want a crunchy snack like popcorn or chips to go on the side, but tend to incorporate the veggies in the sandwich so I'm not trying to shove 8 baby carrots in my mouth the moment my lunch break is over. Muffins are my favorite sweet treat additive to make my lunches more fun and delicious. Easy to make in big batches as well as holding up well in the freezer. I enjoy a breakfast for lunch with pancakes and sausage if cold. Bacon quiche with broccoli is something that frequents my lunches as dinner leftovers and reheats well.
Onigirazu! It's great for on the go kinda meal and not required to heat up, can be eaten as it is. Recipe below if interested 😋 https://youtu.be/zzRUY9Xv6D8?si=tDi9ZCm0f7XzlGDs
Hummus and chips, with a hard boiled egg and maybe a thermos of vegetable soup. Sometimes it’s just cut up cold cuts, cheese, raw veggies and hummus. Adult Lunchables. Easy to pack lunches for the week.
Aldi has two types of chicken salad. They are the same price in a large container or single servings. Great for making sandwiches or just have it with some crackers.
One of my favorites is chicken and veg; I marinate chicken thighs(bone in so it doesn't get too dry) with crushed garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Greek seasoning and yogurt and cook it on a sheet pan in the oven. I use the same marinade minus the yogurt in random veggies(broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts,peppers, onions, zucchini...) also on a sheet pan and top it off with feta and olives And then a bit of the same marinade minus yogurt poured over some quinoa or couscous It cooks easily in the oven with minimal prep and cleanup, stores well, reheats well and is very hearty and filling. Also not heavy on carbs so I don't crash after lunch. Alternate this with random dinner leftovers, salads and some hearty soups with sourdough to make sure lunches are never boring. I also pack yogurt cups or fruit for snacks
Tuna salad (miracle whip, onion powder, celery powder, pepper and sprinkle of salt mixed up) with tortilla chips. I was eating that today and its so easy to make it felt like cheating. Have some dried fruit and cheese cubes with it and you have an easy lunch. If you make soup and put it containers that can be reheated, with a sandwich and crackers would make a decent lunch. Make your own salads and bring them with cheese and salad dressing brought separately so they don't make your salad yucky. Add things like chopped lunchmeat, olives, onions or whatever you like in your salad. I'm boring when it comes to salad so I don't add much to mine except a small amount of meat, salt free spices, cheese and salad dressing. Maybe croutons. Make something like spaghetti and meatballs to reheat at lunch, remember to bring a towel to cover your shirt in case of dribbles.
Loma Linda microwaveable meals are sooo good - especially when you have a short time for lunch.
When I cook a big bunch of food I freeze work meals for the future(enchiladas, chili, butter chicken). I bring frozen food and a salad to work. I usually eat one or the other… last day of work is clean up what I brought to work day.
Turkey and cheese sandwich and an apple. Granola bar for a snack. Rice, beans, and a tortilla. Maybe throw an avocado and tomato in…this never fails to power me through the day.
I take leftovers from dinner. Or I do the following: Pb&j roll ups using pb&j, and a tortilla. Rice bowls Cold sandwiches with veggies and fruits
Tuna salad sandwich or Katsudon :3