What do you pack for lunch??

I've been eating takeout meals at work lately, but I used to pack lunch as recently as earlier this year. Here is what worked for me during my 16 hour double shifts.

My shifts were from 6am to 10pm, so I'd pack 4 frozen meals with the idea that I'd eat something every 3 to 4 hours (6am, 10am, 2pm, and 6pm). If I tired of frozen meals, I'd take four other types of meals such as instant soup, turkey frank on a bun, oatmeal, cereal, sandwich, etc. I'd also pack a few snacks to eat between these meals, as well as about 3 diet sodas. This worked well for me, because I kept my weight down and my metabolism up.

I keep oatmeal in my locker along with some healthier granola bars. When I make soup, etc. I will put some in the freezer so it's easy to grab before work. Otherwise,at 0600 in the morning, packing a lunch is never worth the effort .

A cold piece of fruit is pretty invigorating, too, in the middle of the shift. When I worked nights I'd eat oatmeal just before report then brush my teeth. Saved me a couple of steps at home and I didn't have that icky night shift breath to share with the day nurse. I'm sure that was appreciated .

I have 2 favorite lunches:

1. Fruit & cheese plate with hummus & pita wedges
2. Amy's Organics frozen dinners (any)

I was really reluctant to do the frozen dinner thing for a while, but after getting stuck eating in the cafeteria (YUCK & so bad for me!), I caved in. They're actually wonderful & pretty healthy.

I also keep a Cliff bar with me at all times in case I get the munchies - it keeps the munchie monster at bay.

Sometimes, if I'm really being productive (or my husband makes them) I take fresh fruit cups.

Good luck!

This stuff changes over time. For now I always have coffee and splenda in there (our institutional coffee is horrible), sometimes I bring the creamer too, sometimes my coworkers do. Power bars or whatever meal/snack bar is my flavor of the month, carrots, a half of a peanut butter sandwich, juice, a small coke, and a container with my "meal" serving of whatever I cooked. Cooking is usually done at the beginning of the work week so I just throw a container of it in there before work.

Oh yeah, sometimes I throw in some yogurt. Let's see. I eat something about every 3 hours and try to save the meal bar for last around 0600ish. It's the protein, not heavy carbs or too much caffeine, that will keep me awake to drive home. I cut off coffee consumption around 0300. Since I normally put a heavy load of veggies in whatever I cook, my workweek menu is more healthy than my off-work menu, when I can just go through a drive through.

Not a nurse at work yet, but when I started school again I came up with a quick good low cal and filling idea that I would store and bring with to school. I would make minestrone soup in a large sauce pan. Mix in left over or canned chicken, and some instant barley. Adjust it to what you preffer or how much you want to make. Can add more veggies that you like, chicken broth n more barley or more chicken. what ever to suite your taste. I did that for when I wanted to make something quick and healthy for the whole family for lunch too.

I'm diabetic but this is what I bring....I always bring 1 meal and several snacks

Breakfast at home or cafeteria before shift
Veggies and cottage cheese
Protein bar (like special k-90 calories)
apple or banana and PNB- sometimes I take the PNB pack in our kitchen

Actual Lunch
turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread
100 kcal chip package
diet coke
1 sugar free cookie or candy (if i feel like a sweet treat)

I tend to eat at 1000, 1300, 1600, and as I leave to go home (1900).
I keep sugar candy in my locker in case I drop.

S

I work 12 hours-0745-0815pm. I get 1/2 hour for lunch and (2 )15 minute breaks. I don't find this particularly healthy for me, but I've learned to work around it.
I eat breakfast at home. I bring a sandwich made with double fiber bread, turkey or chicken and broccoli sprouts (high antioxidants). I bring cherry tomatoes because I'll buy chips otherwise. I snack on health bars-I like the Kashi bars. I'll also bring a V-8 fusion or some other drink like that to try to get the veggies in. Sometimes I only eat 1/2 my sandwich at lunch because 1/2 hour goes real fast. I'll finish it during my later afternoon break. I drink a lot of water, and although it is not good for me, I drink a Diet Coke a day. I try not to eat when I get home, but I'm usually really hungry. I make some popcorn so I don't raid the fridge.
I try to keep it under 1500 calories a day, and I use fitday.com to track my nutrients-fat, fiber, vitamins... I don't always succeed at my goals, but I do better if I'm aware and keep track of it a bit.

I really have to think about it because it is so easy to eat junk.
Great question! Thanks for asking. I hope to get some tips.

These are AWESOME ideas! So...as usual, I suppose I will be focusing on protein.

I only hope that I have a fridge in Nursing school..and/or at clinicals. If not, I am not sure what to pack. Yes..bananas...whole wheat crackers..oatmeal..but I dunno what to do as far as protein is concerned.

I, too, need to keep things at a solid 1,600 or less per day. Just so I can maintain a weight of like 140...I am 5'4 and this is really NICE on me

I wanted to suggested the following as well:

* boiled eggs

* snack baggy of nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, etc.)

* beef jerky ( a few strips are great on the go)

* ham & cheese bagel

* canned tuna & cup of rice

* low fat triscuits ( SO good)

* sparkling water ( to avoid dehydration & caffeine crashes)

* Ramen Noodles in the cup (high sodium, but so long as you just have one(and drink lots of water, it's quick and convenient)

* Ants on a Log (it doesn't take that long to make) --take celery stick, smear peanut butter down middle, and drop a few raisins on...wrap in foil to keep neat. This is great because it has a blast of protein, fiber, and natural sugar all in one.



I will add more as I think of them