Tips: What to Pack for Lunch

(Photo via Cheat Yourself to Good Health)

I’m one of those people that packs their lunch about 90% of the time.  I’m just thrifty like that.  It’s so easy to spend $10 a day on lunch which can add up to around $2500 a year!  I want a Chanel bag and those lunch savings would definitely facilitate the purchase.  Couple that with the fact that the lunch options near my workplace are SERIOUSLY limited if you don’t have a car.  I can walk to IKEA, McDonald’s, Canadian Tire (hot dogs), Subway, Pizza Pizza and a Middle Eastern spot… but that’s about it.  Every once in a while I’ll grab takeout from one of those places but when I buy my lunch I’d rather have something more interesting that a few things off the dollar menu at McDs (although the dollar menu is a guilty pleasure…).

The other day I got an e-mail from Natalie over at Why Alice Ist who was looking for tips on what to bring for lunch.  Her parameters being that she doesn’t have a fridge to store her lunch or a microwave to heat it up.  Sounds like a challenge but it really isn’t.  I have issues with sharing communal kitchen space so I avoid the work fridge because it’s always PACKED and I hate digging around for my food.  Plus it gets dirty.  I avoid heating up my lunch in the microwave if I can help it because a.) I don’t love microwaves and b.) the work microwave can get NAR-STY.  So dear Natalie, my OCDs work in your favour.

One great thing about my workplace is that we have a toaster oven so I’m able to make a lot of great toasted sandwiches in there.  We’re talking things like roast beef on garlic rolls with melted blue cheese and caramelized onions. SO GOOD.  But alas this isn’t a possibility for everyone so here are some tips on what to pack.

1. Lettuce-Based Salads – I used to have a theory that salads taste so much better at restaurants but that was before I started building my ultimate salad.  The key is to get your favourite salad ingredients and throw them in.  For me a salad HAS to involve avocado, corn, and some sort of bean, among other things…usually bacon.  Don’t just do a cop out salad with lettuce and tomatoes, it won’t fill you up.  Make sure you have some good protein and fiber in there so you’re not hungry an hour later.  I’d also recommend assembling your salad just before you eat if possible.  If not, at least add the dressing and other wet ingredients just before eating. I love this chopped salad.

2. Grain and Pasta-Based Salads – Vegetarian cookbooks and websites have a lot of great recipes for all sorts of great salads featuring things like quinoa, bulgur, couscous, orzo and other pastas. They usually feature a few veggies, maybe some nuts and even fruit. I find these grain/pasta salads really filling. Pack them with some vegetables on the side and you’re good to go. This curried couscous is a great option that can be dressed up with more ingredients. I’m also partial to this soba noodle dish that is perfect for lunch and is great served at room temperature.

3. Sandwiches – Ok, I know sandwiches seem  like a no-brainer but often people think about sandwiches the wrong way.  Sure PB&Js are yummy but sandwiches can be so much more.  What about a sandwich with avocado, lettuce, tomato, red onion and havarti on a good bread?  It does the trick every time.  Again, if you can assemble right before eating that’s the best.  I will wrap the individual components in cellophane and put them in a plastic container (I keep the bun seperate).  Right before serving I assemble it and the sandwich just seems so much fresher.

4. Leftovers! - A good portion of my lunches come from leftovers.  Since I avoid the work fridge I don’t bring this that I think might go bad… like milk-based dishes. Since my lunch is usually out of the fridge for about 4 hours I’m pretty comfortable bringing cooked meats/seafood, but I understand how that might make some folks nervous.  Again, vegetarian/vegan options are your friend. Something like chickpea curry or crusty white beans with kale hold up well and don’t need to be reheated.  I love bringing soup but if you don’t have a microwave that won’t work.