What lunches do you eat on a weekly basis?
I'm looking for easy and cheap options for lunches on weekdays. I mostly eat deli sandwiches and hot dogs right now and I always feel like shit after eating them. I think I need something healthier but I don't have time over my lunch hour to cook anything too fancy. What do you all do for reliable healthy easy lunches?
Black coffee.
Actually, that's breakfast. I just drink water at work and eat when I get home. After the first few days, my body adjusted. I don't get hungry at work anymore.
Seems to actually work yeah. My girlfriend doesn't eat dinner, only lunch. She says her body adapted to it almost completely. Only sometimes is she extra hungry and then for a proper reason, like doing physical work for hours or something.
I think it's very healthy to just eat less. We eat more then we need, almost all of us.
Coffee is a superb natural appetite suppressant. I usually have a cup of coffee, a glass of milk, and a cup of unsalted peanuts around breakfast time. Keeps me pretty full most of the day.
I just drink coffee and eat nails, it’s good for digestion
If I've had a cooked dinner the night before I'll have that for lunch the next day.
My partner and I have done meal prep on weekends in the past as well. That can work well if you have the space to keep food frozen for a week or two.
This right here. Because I suck at cooking I usually get 2-3 HelloFresh or other meal prep kits with recipes, then eat on them for dinner that night and lunch the next day. Pretty healthy to boot.
If I'm at home, udon noodle soup: just vegetable stock cube in a pot of water, boil it, chuck the noodles in, chuck in whatever you want to put in the soup (I just chop up tofu and one vegetable of my choice), boil for a few mins, and it's done. Put Laoganma on to serve. Obviously use whatever other noodles you prefer if you have a preference other than udon. Takes like 15 mins total and it's so simple for something that's an actual full meal. I don't take it with me when I'm on the go though, as it's hard to carry a bowl of noodle soup with you.
For something you can take with you on the go, I've been making this vegan smoked tofu carbonara recipe lately. You'll still need a microwave to heat it up once it's lunchtime, unless you want to eat cold spaghetti for lunch, but it's really tasty, especially the tofu.
Udon broth is also available premade and is very quick and easy to make from scratch.
Try avocado and hummus sandwiches, nutritious and tasty.
I make a chickpea/garbanzo bean spread:
(1) 15oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed (I also take the skins off but that's optional) (1) tbsp of Nutritional yeast (.5) tsp garlic powder (.5) tsp onion powder (.5) tsp salt (1) tbsp lemon juice (.5) tbsp dijon mustard (.5) cup of mayo (any mayo works)
Optional: 1 nori sheet (seaweed adds a fishy flavor)
Instructions: smash everything together with a fork in a bowl until mixed or use a food processor/blender to puree, it should have the consistency of a cheese spread or dip. Serve on anything and keep refrigerated for up to 5 days
I was about to comment this one. Its one of my fav lunches cause its so easy to make. The name I have for it though is 'chickpea of the sea' because its similar to tuna. My recipe is similar except I like to add onion and pickles to mine. Also I usually use some Old Bay seasoning instead of salt.
Damn I'm gonna try the old bay next time! Thanks
I cook large batches of stew every now and then, freeze in 2 or 3 portion packages. Then each sunday I prep some carbs, defrost and pasteurize stew and put it all together. Boom! Lunches ready to go into the work microwaves.
Not sure if you work from home, but if so, canned chicken can go a long way. You can make quick quesadillas, chicken salads, make rice the day or morning before and mix that with some sautéed canned chicken with olive oil and seasonings of your choice.
Another quick go to for me is gluten free nuggets and chicken patties. IMO they’re even tastier than the other common options. A little pricier though but well worth it.
Canned chicken is a go to, but also whenever I go to Costco in the weekend I get a roasted chicken and debone it for the same purposes.
Rice + microwave frozen stir fry veggies + teriyaki sauce is a halfway decent and quick lunch.
Canned chicken over rice is my favorite poor food. Usually I mix the chicken with mayo and spread it over rice cakes. One can to 3 rice cakes is a full meal.
When I still worked my favourite lunch was ramen. I had square plastic clip-top boxes, perfect shape for ramen blocks. Pop in the ramen, sprinkle with the seasoning packet (or seasonings of your choice) and top with whatever veg you have to hand. Sugarsnap peas, baby corn, spring onion (scallions), zucchini, greens, shredded carrot, bell pepper. If you have cooked chicken, add a slice of that. Clip the lid back on.
At lunchtime, open the box, add boiling water to cover the ramen, close the box again and wait for three minutes or so for the ramen to cook. I guess access to boiling water might be tricky in the US - in the UK our staff canteen had a boiling water dispenser for tea-making.
Came here to say hot dogs. 🌭 looks like you’ve got that covered. 😉
My dirty dirty secret: I get lunch at a McDonald’s near the office where I work once or twice a week. Double quarter pounder with cheese.
I love that and I’m not ashamed to say that. 😅
I have lunch at Burger King almost every Wednesday, also because it's next to work. Double whopper for me.
The other days I eat more healthy though... But usually indian, Thai food or sushi every week once or twice.
I'm someone who doesn't mind repetition/eating leftovers.
So I would swap between leftovers, and then my quick lunch would be 2 hardboiled eggs, some babybel or string cheese, and then some kind of fruit.
Minimal cooking, easy clean up, easy to take with you.
2 eggs, 2 cheese, and a banana is surprisingly filling.
Usually a protein, veg, and rice. Could be chicken, or chickpeas, with beans and rice, perhaps. Just that rice bowl variation.
Not really that cheap, but when I have the household to myself during WFH, a typical lunch consists of a wedge of blue cheese with some added apricot marmelade. I can finally stink up the house with my eclectic taste without anyone complaining.
I’ve been into making adult lunchables. I’ll have some deli meat with crackers and cheese slices, mixed nuts, fruit and hummus. It’s easy to prep, cheap and fun.
I just pan fry eggs, chicken, shrimp, or fish with onions and garlic. Chop some tomatoes in and eat with rice. It's alright
I make a week of lunches all at once. I have 12 hour shifts so it's kinda breakfast and lunch that I snack on through the day. I get everything from Aldi so it's pretty cheap too.
Baby carrots, honeycrisp apple, light string cheese, yogurt, and a sandwich containing lunch meat and cheese and mayo. Recently, I started fridge pickling jalapeños for my sandwiches too, and that was the right call. I have this pretty much every day. I was broke af when I was younger, so eating the same thing every day vs maybe not getting to eat... I learned to really appreciate getting consistent meals even if it's not something different very often. It's not for everybody and I understand if this doesn't sound remotely appealing to you lol.
Leftovers or salami+cheese+almonds. It's yummy, satisfying, and can survive a few hours out of the fridge.
Damn are you me? Like literally my go-to for lunch too haha
I have a sandwich on whole wheat bread with some cheese, one pickle and a conservative amount of mayonnaise spread on the side that touches the pickle. Its been the same on average 3 times a week for 2 years.
I've been drinking a Soylent shake for lunch at work for probably two years now. It's very convenient, nutritious, and you can have it at room temp or chilled. If you buy it by the case, that amounts to a cheap and healthy lunch. Yes, I find it quite filling.
Edit: Also it comes in different flavors. The ones I remember are strawberry (my favorite), vanilla, chocolate, banana, and mint chocolate. They also have high-protein and caffeinated varieties.
Another edit to clarify my own experience: I've been drinking the shakes for lunch for about 2 years but I've been enjoying Soylent for longer than that. I've included a scoop of the powder in my breakfast for the past 10 years. My doctor is quite happy with my health and my last blood work results (June '23). I only share this because someone has a problem with my suggestion of Soylent and claims it's not good for you. So there is my own experience, for what it's worth. YMMV.
Not necessarily specifically a lunch, but a consistent midday meal that I have is a sort of fruit-yogurt-granola bowl. The fruit is just maybe a cup of assorted berries, then 3/4 cup of plain yogurt, then 3/4 cup of homemade granola — consisting of various nuts, raisins, oats, etc. and some maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla extract mixed in for flavor.
For breakfast I eat an avocado toast — whole avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice mixed together into a paste and spread on a piece of toasted whole-wheat bread — and scrambled eggs — I melt half a tablespoon of butter, or so, in a pan, and briefly sautée a tablespoon, or so, of diced red onion, them add two eggs into the pan, which I scramble in the pan for 30s, or so, then season with salt, and pepper on top.
My favorite thing to do is mix diced veggies (green onion, sweet pickles, green pepper, arugula) with hard boiled eggs or flaked tuna, then add diced cheese (mozzarella, cheddar or feta). You can also add grapes, raisins or nuts or sunflower seeds, whatever you like.
When you're ready to eat, mix all of it with a spoon of cream cheese, and put all of the mixture inside a pita bread. It's pretty awesome and satisfying.
keep some washed fruit around i like to have some oranges or a bowl of grapes or something at my desk to pick on over the course of the day. sometimes ill make oat balls or just keep some sunflower seeds out too for extra protein
Could you share your recipe for oat balls, please? I am looking for a high protein snack to switch things up a little bit. TIA
I mix together oats, peanut butter, protein powder, some sweetener (agave, honey, sometimes maple syrup if I'm out of the others, I find a liquid sugar helps them stick), and then something with a crunch, maybe chocolate chips, maybe sunflower seeds, and then a little bit of salt and vanilla for flavor (unless the protein powder adds enough flavor already). Mix it well then stick in the fridge till it solidifies enough to mold with your hands, roll into balls, then I usually throw them right back into a container and into the fridge. If you use natural peanut butter, you can add some coconut oil to help them stick a little more.
Cook rice in rice cooker with two eggs, when it's done I peel eggs and chop up some carrot/cucumber and eat it with Sriracha mayo. Impossible burger on a bun with Sriracha mayo and cucumber and corn chips on the side. Left overs, which are usually pretty good. Sometimes cheese pizza rolls.
On Sundays I do lunch prep for the days in office. A few slices of deli meat and block cheese for a nice flavor. Then a pile of raw veggies and a small container of dipping sauce. I prefer sliced bell pepper and green onion with ranch dressing, but you can do whatever veggies you prefer (for example spinach, sugar snap peas, carrots). I always feel great after that lunch; grains like bread or chips always made me feel lethargic.
I take it into the office in a plastic bento box to keep everything from jostling around, and the sauce goes in a smaller reusable container separately.
I eat Subway for lunch usually, we have a decent local one and I know the owner. Not necessarily because all the food is delicious, but it gets me to eat veggies like banana peppers and olives that I wouldn't normally eat. One footling will make 2 lunches for me.
5 min in the morning making, a sandwich, usually ham or turkey, and 2 sticks of string cheese.
Healthy.... Not the best but definitely better than a hot dog or burger. Especially with whole wheat bread and not going overboard on condiment.
I have been addicted to making ramen eggs (ajitama) for lunches lately. I eat one or two eggs over rice with some furikake or toasted seaweed and that's all I need to power through the day. You could pair the dish with more veggies or a miso soup if you're feeling fancy. The nice part is making half a dozen eggs squares me away for the week, so I hardly have to think about what to do.
Another dish I like is Korean steamed eggs (gyeranjjim). It takes not even 10 mins to cook on the stove. Making rice takes longer, and you can make a lot of rice to reheat later in the week. I would cook the eggs fresh each day though , I'm not sure how reheating them would go. The broth that goes with the eggs keeps me fuller than I ever expect.
Baba ghanoush is so tasty when you make it yourself. This requires more effort up front to roast the eggplant, but the dip is good all week. I eat it with carrots, cucumber, cauliflower, and some pita chips.
Regular tuna salad or this chickpea "tuna" salad is always easy to whip up. I always have celery, pickles, and bread on hand so if I'm feeling up for it, I crack open a can of tuna or chickpeas for an easy lunch.
Microwave basmati rice and Trader Joe’s microwave yellow tadka dal. Addicted to it right now. Sometimes I’ll slice up half a beef sausage or Polska kielbasa, fry that in a pan for a couple minutes and throw it on top along with some sriracha sauce.
In-n-out hamburger w grilled onions, four or five times a week. $3.64
Tuna salad in a Romain lettuce bowl. Some broccoli and almonds or walnuts on the side and a sparkling water
One time I made a big batch of gas station style frozen burritos. Just cheese, refried beans, diced tomatoes, and some seasoning and hot sauce. Those were pretty bomb.
I normally eat omelette and rice for lunch, with rice pre made from the night before but you can always quicken with packet rice if you don’t have the time to cook rice and pre mix eggs to quicken the preparation time and just add the seasonings you normally add to the omelette.
Kind bar + protein shake
Salad wraps are daily lunch for me. Goes a bit like this, but it's really a loose recipe with whatever I have in the fridge.
Salad/cucumber Tomatoes Bell pepper
I started doing this when I couldn't taste anything with COVID and needed something with texture. Never stopped.
Oatmeal w/ nuts, dried fruit, & honey. Very cheap & good for you.
I ordinarily don't eat lunch. Or breakfast. I eat a large dinner. If you eat less carbohydrates your body won't feel bad when it runs out, which might be why you feel bad after eating, if it's a while after.
Today, i'm eating lunch, and it's some pasta with olive oil, dill, and some canned tuna. Most of the time I eat the pasta right out of the fridge without heating it. You don't even need olive oil if you use tuna packed in olive oil.
Other times, I'll eat some raw vegetables and a can of some sort of meat, or I'll eat leftovers. Usually cold.
I've been intermittent fasting for quite some time, and it kind of makes you reevaluate your relationship with food. A meal can certainly be a luxurious experience, or it can just be fuel to get you through your day. I actually prefer eating one large meal a day, but it does tend to increase your cortisol levels, so when i'm already very stressed I tend to eat some lunch.
Salad. Some lettuce or spinach, a few toppings, a little dressing.
I get one of those rotisserie chickens from the store and cut the meat up. It'll last a few weeks (freezing portions of it) for not that much. Cucumber is cheap. There is an olive bar at our grocery store, I pick some of the up and sometimes make my own croutons and cut up an apple with some veggies.
Or you could be having too large of a meal!
this is what i struggle with.
I’m not intolerant to gluten and I still feel like shit when I have a carb heavy bread based lunch. Anytime I cut out the bread I always feel better afterward