work lunch ideas

[Linda23]

My job has recently changed locations so now there is nowhere near that I can get something healthy and filling for lunch. I've been getting by on poptarts chips and mini fruit pies. Ya I know not good I need ideas on what I can bring that will also fill me up since after lunch its about 5+ hours until dinner (no snacking allowed at work) plus I'm constantly hungry lately. I brought a banana and a large tupperware of watermelon the other day but I was starving again in 20ish minutes. I don't need anything gourmet. Anything is better than what I've been eating and the occasional McDonald's. My breakroom has a mini fridge and a microwave to work with.

 

[Pink Sarah]

How a jacket potato and BIG salad with your favorite filing? Should keep you going and can be done in microwave x

 

[EmzyJA]

You could make pasta/rice dishes that you can take in and eat cold or warm up maybe? Or something like a chicken and salad wrap? Carbs are filling and should help keep you going. I think being pregnant though you should be allowed to snack. This pregnancy I am constantly hungry and don't know what I'd do without being able to snack.

 

[Mrs Eleflump]

I usually take in a wholemeal sandwich roll with sliced quorn (pretend meat stuff) and salad in, plus a yoghurt, some fruit (fresh and dried), and maybe a little piece of chocolate or cake too.

When it's colder or I fancy a change, I take soup and bread, or I make up a microwaveable container with half a can of kidney beans in spicy sauce, some frozen mixed veg, and half a packet of frozen rice, and have that defrosting in the fridge overnight so I can just chuck it in the microwave at lunch. That's pretty filling.

A baked potato can be cooked in the oven the night before and then you can reheat it in the microwave at lunch (don't cook it from raw at lunch, it'll take ages and everyone'll hate you because you'll hog the microwave and stop them heating their lunch!)

Someone I work with brings in crackers, soft cheese, sliced meat (though I think there's rules about deli meat in pregnancy? I wouldn't know, I'm veggie!), and vegetable sticks, and has a little buffet lunch on her lap.

Leftovers from last night's dinner are always good microwaved - chilli, curry, pasta bakes, stew, etc.

It just needs a bit of forward planning, but it's so much cheaper and better for you than buying lunch every day

 

[Linda23]

Thank you everyone. Definitely some great ideas I didn't think of! I'm going to try to get them to let me snack, but their reason is that I shouldnt get any special treatment.

 

[EmzyJA]

Thank you everyone. Definitely some great ideas I didn't think of! I'm going to try to get them to let me snack, but their reason is that I shouldnt get any special treatment.

That's a stupid reason!! As you're pregnant you're entitled to more breaks if needed. I understand that some people may take this piss a bit and milk it when they're pregnant (my husbands work colleague being one) but a pregnant woman needs more toilet breaks, snack breaks etc because they're growing another life inside them and it's hard work and takes up more energy. I'd be fuming if my work made me work 5 hours without a break.

 

[Linda23]

Thank you everyone. Definitely some great ideas I didn't think of! I'm going to try to get them to let me snack, but their reason is that I shouldnt get any special treatment.

That's a stupid reason!! As you're pregnant you're entitled to more breaks if needed. I understand that some people may take this piss a bit and milk it when they're pregnant (my husbands work colleague being one) but a pregnant woman needs more toilet breaks, snack breaks etc because they're growing another life inside them and it's hard work and takes up more energy. I'd be fuming if my work made me work 5 hours without a break.

I agree with you completely and I'm going to see what I can do about it. I work in a busy dog grooming salon so I'm always working and moving so I get drained, hot and sweaty fast, but its easy to get behind. We aren't allowed to eat around the dogs at all, but it wouldn't take me long to eat something simple like a granola bar or something. I already had to fight to keep my gallon of water with me and bot across the company in the breakroom. I run for a bathroom break whenever I get the opportunity if needed, but I haven't asked for any other "privileges" and don't feel this is unreasonable.

 

[Jinga]

When I worked I'd use a laptop lunchbox. It has four different containers packed into a bigger box. I'd generally fill them with leftovers from dinner (1 protein, 1 starch, 1 veggie) plus either a small dessert or fruit. It made it easier to eat a balanced meal. Proteins would be things like roasted chicken, turkey burgers, black beans, tofu, baked beans, chili, cheese, etc. Starches like potatoes, sweet potatoes, tortillas, noodles, whole wheat bread, bagels, corn. Veggies like salad, carrots w/ dip, broccoli, veggie soup ... basically whatever we had leftover from the night before.

 

[the why bird]

Try to get some protein and fat in at every meal. They digest more slowly so you don't get that sudden blood sugar dip that makes you ravenous again an hour later. Pick carbs that release slowly (whole grains and starchy veg rather than sugary stuff) and then add veggies to bulk it out.

So maybe:
- pasta salad with tomatoes, cucumber, sweetcorn, chicken (or ham, egg, tuna) and a little mayo or oil dressing
- fried wholegrain rice with egg and veggies cooked in a little oil
- homemade chili with a bit of cheese/sour cream
- tuna and avocado sandwiches on whole wheat bread
- smoothie with fruit, coconut milk, oats etc
- vegetable soup with cheese and crackers

 

[Kittycat155]

Fruit has its place but if your looking for something to keep you full that is the wrong thing to go for. Watermelon is mostly water.

I get not eating around the dogs as I have a food aggressive dog. She does not need grooming but at the vet it is a concern of NO TREATS! And there are water guarders too. But if your talking going out a few minutes every other hour or so for a snack I do not see the issue. Worst case get Dr. to write RX.

I take it you get lunch and a break or 2 that you could eat on? I would just eat what you eat on days off that works for you. If it needs prep then bring the leftovers.

 

[N27murray]

Leftovers are always good.

I also make sandwiches or wraps with lots on them. Not just a skimpy slice of deli meat but lots of meat, lettuce, real not processed cheese. Make it on a bun if you want to be more full (I like cheese buns)

granola bars and fruit together are good but not fruit alone.

a big salad...with croutons or meat or cheese in it is good. Or some creamy, fatty dressing.

yogurt, cheese n crackers, veggies n dip, cereal(hot oatmeal or regular...just bring a container of cold milk)... These are some of my favourite go to's for work but my best is leftovers! If you have a microwave, use it to heat left over supper from the day before. That would be the best but bring snacks too! Snacks with substance

I think if you could take 10-15 mins a couple hours after lunch that's very reasonable to request. You're gonna need a snack and pee break