i started a new job where the cafeteria leaves much to be desired. i guess i'm going to start packing my lunch. could sure use your suggestions.

what do YOU pack ?

I pack any of the following tuna, chicken or egg salad all with fat free mayo - no bread for me. I love the pepperidge farm pretzel thins to use with those. Fresh chicken breast, or leftovers from the previous night. All around 2-3 ozs depending on protein counts and then add yogart, s/f pudding, low fat cheese or green beans as a side. I'm not really hungry until 12:30 -1 after having breakfast at 6:30. When i buy snacks at the store, i look for things without the enriched flours - i'm not counting carbs as a lot of other bandsters do but have cut them back drastically from previously, anything low fat, minimal or zero calories like apples. Did you know that in order for your body to breakdown the apple, it will use more calories than you originally consumed when you ate it?? That's a zero calorie food! Wendy's chili & baked potato are another favorite of mine both for under $3. When i get that, i usually order an extra chili or two so that i can take it the next day & just grab a potato from at home & pop it in the micro. After my protein & side, i'm pretty good til dinner time at home.

chicken salad, tuna, and chili are always my go-to meals. I am able to make a lot of it on one day and store it in small containers for lots of meal throughout the week.

When I can, I like to prepare extra meat with dinner to make sure i have left overs.

I also keep kashi oatmeals in my desk for emergency breakfast situations.

Another thing I do once a month is boil some eggs and keep them in the fridge, always ready when i'm in a rush and need something FAST!

Hope this helps!

We have a kitchen here, so I bring one of those Healthy Choice Steamers (cheap--only $2 and the chicken ones have 16g Protein for 220 calories, and includes a serving of veggies with the protein)! I also keep my frigo light cheese sticks on reserve just in case, as well as my Pure Protein chocolate bars (180 calories, 21 g of protein-$6 a box at Target--LOVE THEM!) Also, Cream of Wheat Healthy Grains is pretty good. Canned chicken breast with light mayo has become a staple in my diet with some wheat thins as well.

The best is making a crock pot chicken recipe and just being able to bring it in the day after :-)

Hope this helps!

Those are awesome ideas! I am starting a job the beginning of the new year and seeing this thread totally helps!!! I will certainly be referring back to it!

Some things I enjoy:

BallPark smoked turkey franks: fat free, 6g Protein and only 45 cals. I LOVE THESE THINGS. I cut it up small and stir into a cup of veggie chili. Or just eat the turkey dog bites dipped in mustard with a wedge of pickle cut up tiny.

Turkey rollups with deli sliced turkey, slice of swiss cheese, wedge of Laughing Cow and a few spinach leaves.

Bushs Great Northern canned Beans with some diced up ham and a little pepper and thyme.

Also like Bushs Chili beans with a bit of cheddar, hot sauce, 8-10 oyster crackers and plain greek yogurt.

Egg salad, on a slice of 35cal bread.

Leftover chicken made into a salad.

PB2 (reconstituted) and apple slices.

Gortons frozen Salmon filets, 2 in a box...with either a dab of lowfat coleslaw or steamed broccoli.