TTMA healthy lunches

[britta]

For you. Not the kids.

I find that I eat pretty well for both breakfast and dinner, but I'm such a sandwich (read: carb) lover for lunches. Salads, even when adding a meat of some sort, are just not...satisfying for me (I won't lie and say they don't keep me full, because they do if I add meat) and then I end up snacking on things like Goldfish crackers or pretzels along with it (ok, not just snacking...like eating half a bag). I used to love an apple with peanut butter for lunch, but I got burned out on that during pregnancy. We don't usually have a lot of leftovers, and when we do I try to save them for DH to take to work. Plusalso, I'm not usually a huge fan. Especially for lunch. Because SANDWICHES. 😳

So, what do you do for healthy lunches?

[vavavictoria]

I'm very interested to hear what people say. Bc I love sandwiches. Loooove. When my ob told me I could nuke my lunch meat and still eat sandwiches while pregnant I was very happy.

[iwantbacon]

Sandwiches can be healthy! A giant roll is probably not your best option, but bread or a small/medium tortilla is fine. Carbs are cool. Add in lean protein and veggies and you are golden.

I like when I make a cous cous or quinoa salad/bowl for dinner and can have leftovers. I keep meaning to make one just for myself to have for lunch.

[becole]

You could use a low carb or low calorie tortilla or the sandwich "thins". But I always eat chips with sandwiches so it doesn't really help. I try to eat veggies instead of chips and pickles.

[sanibel21]

I love sandwiches. I eat them on whole wheat bread and throw some lettuce on them.
Otherwise sometimes I'll have yogurt and add my own fruit and some granola to them.
I do like salads with grilled chicken on them, but I usually add a ton of feta and my favorite Italian dressing.
And soup too if you buy it right or make it right.
Why not have half a sandwich and add a fruit or yogurt or something to make it overall more healthier?
Today I legit had 2 brownies for lunch though... so maybe don't listen to me?

[ksyknelvr73]

Personal disclaimer - I am using a pre made meal service for my lunches these days because I struggle with this so much. I am using Fresh N Fit, if anyone is interested...you can pick from an assortment of plans like gluten-free or paleo or low carb. It's helping me stay on track and alleviates my stress of figuring out what to do every day.

If I had the time to prep my stuff, here are some ideas:

I was making a batch of rice/quinoa for the whole week. Then I roast some veggies - broccoli, sweet potatoes, squash, whatever really. Then bake some chicken and portion it out for the week with it. Depending on what mood I was in, I would either add hot sauce, some spices and seasonings, etc.

What about soups? Campbell's has these new kettle soups that are pretty good and they work well for on the go.

Lastly, doing some wraps...turkey, ham, swiss cheese, some hummus or avocado, mustard, whatever sounds good on a whole wheat tortilla.

[vavavictoria]

Jan 10, 2017 19:48:58 GMT -5 becole said:

You could use a low carb or low calorie tortilla or the sandwich "thins". But I always eat chips with sandwiches so it doesn't really help. I try to eat veggies instead of chips and pickles.

This is my thing too. A sandwich doesn't feel quite right without chips.

[erien22846]

britta I thought of you when I saw this on Facebook:


Not healthy but it could help with your Sunday meal prep;)

[jcrewgirl]

I usually have a stash of the Lean Cuisine Steamers in my freezer. They are usually around 250 calories - I'll eat one of those and a piece of fruit for lunch.

other options - sometimes I do 1/2 a sandwich, a handful of pretzels and sliced veggies with hummus, scrambled eggs with diced ham, mushrooms, peppers, etc., the bagged salads - I really like the Asian ones - its usually a Thai peanut dressing or sesame -- pretty good and I can get three lunches out of the family sized bag.

[britta]

Jan 11, 2017 7:52:49 GMT -5 erien22846 said:

britta I thought of you when I saw this on Facebook:


Not healthy but it could help with your Sunday meal prep;)

I see you know my lyfe...

[britta]

Some good ideas here. Thanks all.

When I make sandwiches, I have always done whole wheat bread and I try to buy the lower sodium lunch meat. I also get lunch meat from the deli, not prepackaged. We also buy a block of cheese and slice ourselves versus prepackaged. I need to be better about adding lettuce and a tomato, maybe. And yes, just portioning out some pretzels instead of putting the bag in front of me. But maybe I'm not eating as unhealthy overall as I thought.

[adouces06]

ksyknelvr73 I am really intrigued by Fresh N Fit. Which plan do you do?

[ksyknelvr73]

Jan 11, 2017 10:41:13 GMT -5 adouces06 said:

ksyknelvr73 I am really intrigued by Fresh N Fit. Which plan do you do?

I am currently doing the Healthy Mix plan (1200 calories) one, so each lunch is going to be around 400 calories. Since I am trying to lose weight, I generally aim for each meal to be around 400 calories, and then I have two snacks usually throughout the day between 100-200 calories each.

I actually REALLY like the food. It's not what I expected at all, I've really liked everything I've had so far. Yesterday was a clam chowder with mac n cheese, today is a BBQ pita bread "pizza" with black bean soup. Yes, the portions are small, but they are probably what I should really be eating size-wise anyway.

I pick up meals on Monday and Thursday from a gym that's close to my house. I think I am going to sign up for dinners soon too b/c my husband coaches baseball and so he is about to start games (early next month) and will never be home for dinner.

[macaronmama]

I use a two-level bento to pack my own lunches. The one I like specifically is a french-designed bento called Monbento, which has vents and stuff to microwave a level if I am bringing leftovers.

But the best way I make sure to eat healthy is to ensure one level is full of raw fruits and vegetables, nothing else. I packed it full with whatever is season and/or cheap. Berries, apple slices, salad sometimes, carrots, etc. Then the bottom is packed with a protein and a carb of some thing, sometimes with cooked veggies as well. Rice crackers and hummus or black bean dip... Some cheese and deli meat with fresh apple is one of my favorite - keep in mind that the apple is on the bottom as part of my "meal" and the top is still filled with other produce.

[britta]

The meal service stuff is really intriguing. I'm not sure I could get it way out here? We can't even get cable TV. 😐

But I think the neighbors posted something on FB about Blue Apron before, so maybe?? I'll have to look into it.

[vavavictoria]

britta

here is my two cents about blue apron and other similar services. Blue apron sends you all the food elements you need to make 3 recipes and you prep and cook them yourself. I like that you learn new cooking techniques and it kind of puts you out of your comfort zone food wise. I really really don't like the time and effort to prep and cook the food. Whatever they say time wise I would probably 1.5 x it or double it. If you are doing dinner by yourself and have the baby and the toddler running around it might be super stressful. For me it is.

[ksyknelvr73]

Jan 11, 2017 15:20:54 GMT -5 vavavictoria said:

britta

here is my two cents about blue apron and other similar services. Blue apron sends you all the food elements you need to make 3 recipes and you prep and cook them yourself. I like that you learn new cooking techniques and it kind of puts you out of your comfort zone food wise. I really really don't like the time and effort to prep and cook the food. Whatever they say time wise I would probably 1.5 x it or double it. If you are doing dinner by yourself and have the baby and the toddler running around it might be super stressful. For me it is.

This exactly. We used Hello Fresh for a little while, and it was the same way. It took FOREVER to make these meals!!! They were really good, but there is no way I could manage that. Usually DH made the meals while I watched the boys. Now with 3 kids, nope. This is why I use one where the meals are already made.