Help NEED LUNCH

[nurselele05]

I am new to home health. I am only in the office 1st thing in the AM. Once i get going for the day I am in the field then I go home from there. I am getting FAT eating out everyday! Not to mention it is expensive. I am worried about bringing my own food becuase there is no place to heat it. Often I am 3o miles from the office at any given day around lunch time. Of course every day is different. It is 100 degrees here in summer... so bringing food that should be cool is not a option. Even a cooler seems like a joke with weather in the 100s. Any ideas from veteran home health nurses on how to map out a meal plan?

BTW I :redbeathe my new JOB.

Thanks

[vhern246]

Maybe you should try meal replacement bars and lunchables. Cut up sandwiches into fours and try to eating vegetable slices, like carrots, cucumbers and whatever else.

[Willow Moonsidhe]

Stop at the grocery store and get a salad of baked chicken that is what I do and I freeze water bottles at night to take. The grocery deli's have pretty decent stuff.

~willow

[caliotter3]

My local grocery chain makes monster sandwiches for $3.99. I can eat twice with one of those. Add a bottle of water and I'm good to go.

[Intern67]

Even a cooler seems like a joke with weather in the 100s.

Not all. Weather like that is why they invented coolers. I have a small zip up cooler with a carrying strap. I pack it with those little portable refreezable ice packs, a can of soda, gatorade, and a sandwich. Got room for granola/snack bars and an orange too. It won't stay cold all day in 100 degree weather but keeps everything cool until lunch.

It is a hard habit to get into after getting used to drive throughs, but try stopping at a grocery store and get some fruit for a quick snack during the day. You'll see a lot of other options there too.

Good luck!

[tewdles, RN]

I also pack a lunch most days using a small insulated lunch box and a Thermos brand insulated container for either cold or hot foods.

In the hot humid days of summer in Michigan my cool stuff stays cool until early afternoon. In the frigid winters the hot stuff stays hot until mid afternoon.

I freeze my water bottle in the summer to help keep the lunch bag cool until I drink it. With this plan I can eat for less than $10/week most times...and it is better for me.

[cathrn64]

A cooler works for me too! (although I have a terrible habit of not giving myself enough time in the morning, and than end up driving through McDonald's!)

[davebigs]

I use my cooler bag and I also have my freeze packs. It stays cool for me all day. Some days I don't get to have lunch until after two. I only eat vegetarian so that helps, no meat to go bad.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

There are some great little coolers out there and you can always add those light weight cooler packs.....they do work. I too have temps in the 100's all summer long. I admit I am too busy to pack a lunch.....I have several places I go for a cheap and healthy lunch...I personally like Starbucks.....I get their yogurt cup or little fruit cup or there fruit and cheese platter..along with my low fat skinny vanilla latte...I also carry with me some granola bars or some almonds..a banana..things like that so I do not get hungry and hit McDonalds

[kiszi, RN]

On those days when you must pick up fast food, look for healthier options. A small hamburger with just mustard and pickle, side salad, some places have soup or baked potato. Grilled chicken sandwiches are great, too. Again, beware of condiments/dressings. Taco bells now have a lite menu too. But I know from experience it's hard to resist the temptation of a bacon cheeseburger and fries! Gas stations sometimes have things like fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, etc. Figure out which ones on your route have things you like.

I agree with a lot of the others, though that a cooler/insulated lunch bag is the way to go. The square cold pack my agency gave me for my lab bag works better than my other ones!

Some days, if I know I'm going to finish early, I might just throw a granola bar or fruit in my purse and have lunch when I get home.

----keeping the frozen water bottle in the lunch bag - great idea! I recently started filling a travel mug with ice and keeping it in the car. I have my diet soda (my coffee!) first thing in the morning, then by lunchtime I have some nice cool water to drink, & don't have to buy another drink! I'm a drinkaholic.