Dinner ideas for busy class nights!!

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

I have a random question for everyone - do y'all have any brilliant ideas for dinner on nights (or lunch on days like this) when you have classes back to back to back? For about 10 weeks this summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I'll be working 8am-5pm, then class 5:40-10:30 with a 10 minute break from 7:30-7:40. What would y'all do about dinner in this situation? Can you think of anything I'd be able to bring and scarf down in that 10 minute window? It says in the syllabus that we can't have food or drink in class (bummer). Any ideas would be helpful, thanks!!

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

Forgot to mention - the 40 minutes in between work and class will be spent getting my butt to school in rush hour traffic!

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I can only think of one thing...crockpot.

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Little microwave meals, like lean cuisines, or lean pockets, or smart ones, they are only 1 or 2 dollars. Or, if you don't have enough time, a granola bar and apple until you get home. You could also pack a sandwich and chip or something.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I would just eat a decent lunch, then have an apple or a piece of fruit for dinner. You aren't going to want to do anything other than go to sleep when you get home.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I would pack a lunch. A few days a week I don't have enough time to do anything for meals and my favorite get-me-by meals are strawberries, 1 cup dry kashi cereal and beef jerky or PB&J on wheat with an apple and low-fat granola bar. Also, snacking on air popped popcorn on your way to school from work should keep you awake and going until your first break. I have also found that while most say "no snacks" many instructors of long evening classes don't stick to it because it is meal time.

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

All very good ideas, thank you!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I like the suggestions for "snack" style dinners. For awhile this semester, I brought dinners to school that reminded me more of a kids school lunch. Some suggestions:

PB&J sandwhiches

Baby Carrots

String Cheese

Boiled Eggs

Bottled Water (and crystal light energy drink mix)

Notice that none of thse have to be cooked each day. Everything but the sandwhich can be prepped once per week. My 6th grader made my sandwhiches for me. (-:

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I had a similar situation last semester. What worked for me is I'd have a large filling lunch and then just pack a snack. My favorite was whole weat crackers with some slices of cheese (sometimes a few pieces of pepperoni) or a granola bar. Often times I wasn't really that hungry until after I finished lab which was usually 9:30 or so. Something about sitting in class made me not super hungry. :lol2: Luckily I could drink in class (not lab) because I did get thirsty.

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

i think those peanut butter and apple slice snack packs are awesome. very filling and easy to much on when driving.

yogurt and granola is great.

whole nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit

fresh veggies and hummus dip

mmm i think that's all i can think of

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I like those Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers, you can find them on the soup isle at wally world. They don't need refrigeration so you can throw it in your bag for later. They only take 3 min in the microwave. That with a bottle of water with a Special K protien mix added to it should get the job done.

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