Lunches: Brown bag or cafeteria?

[PediNurse3]

Do you take your lunch to work or hit the cafeteria and vending machines?

I am trying to get into the habit of taking my lunch to work but can't seem to make it work. I always promise myself that I'm going to take my lunch "next time" but it just doesn't happen, and I wind up getting cr@p from the cafeteria and snacks from the gift shop or Starbucks.

What do you pack for lunches and snacks? Any tips and tricks to make it easier to remember (short of having payroll deduct cancelled) and less of a hassle?

Thanks!

[BrazoriaLVN]

I usually make a sandwich with pretzels and a bottled water or sometimes a hot pocket. I pack my lunch as soon as i get home from my previous shift! Odd as it sounds if I do it then and put a note next to my keys I never forget it.

[Sl1011]

I just can't afford to spend like $6 or more every time I eat lunch. It adds up. I usually bring leftovers, or some sort of sandwich, fruit, pretzels, nuts, yogurt, crackers, granola bar, things like that :). Oh, and it's just part of my routine in the morning while getting the kids lunches together.

[cogath]

I always pack my lunch. I don't cook or anything, and I find things that are easy to pack. I also have a good collection of tupperware. Things that I usually pack are sandwhiches, fruit (berries, grapes, banana, grapefruit, orange, apple), veggies and dip/peanut butter (chopped celery, carrots, raw broccoli, sliced tomatoes), and a protein source (cottage cheese or yogurt portioned into tupperware, a piece of string cheese, nuts). I avoid things like prepackaged crackers, cookies, snacks, chips, etc. 100% natural as possible. I find that I'll eat whatever I pack, because there's no other choice. So at least I get one nutritious meal in for the day. (can't always say that the rest are as good, lol)

[Guest505077]

hi there

I used to go to the caf when you actually got time to go... (lol) I have been brown bagging for years... I always bring the same stuff so I don't have to think about it... yogurt, cheese+crackers, fruit, protein bars...bread to make toast.. container of cold cereal+container of milk...

alot of people bring microwave dinners...easy,quick...

even though you're dead tired when you get home, make your lunch for the next day- make it a habit...

it tastes much better... and you save $ :)

[nola1202]

I'd much rather bring my lunch. Fun finger food is my favorite. string cheese. Weight watchers puts out a really good smoked string cheese, and also a 30 cal wedge of jalapeno jack. there's also another brand that makes a really good 30 cal. soft swiss cheese. I like fruit that's easy to eat (sliced apples, bing cherries, grapes. I'd rather have a sandwich but I'll pack mac and cheese or soup for the microwave. Those teeny carrot sticks mmmm tiny dill pickles...are we getting that I like cute food yet? I love PBJ also tuna (it comes in a package not a can now. (water packed, not oil) I like a plain bagel sometimes, half on break and half at lunch. What else...almonds are great finger food.

just plain white or brown rice tastes good if you don't feel like eating anything else. So far as junk food, I like to throw in a pack of animal crackers or single serving of cookies or a piece of cake once in a while...makes me feel happy.

Other stuff I like, the lean cusine thai spring rolls, lean pockets egg sausage and cheese pockets, and the weight watchers egg mcmuffin (egg white's cut the calories but taste like real eggs. The canadian bacon, cheese and egg are my favorites. If you leave it in the fridge it will be mostly thawed and you can zap it in the microwave in about 1 min, 30 sec at most. I also love hard candy and carry jolly ranchers or a tootsie pop so if I have to stay late and chart I don't care as much...must look weird to others when I'm driving home but who cares.

[JJTRN]

Cafe $$ adds up quick! I brown bag it. Fruit, H2O, sandwiches and quick snacks( pocket size) Also, try to eat off the unit. i read somewhere that it is healthier to get away even if for 15 minutes when you are on a break.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I figured out one time, when I was doing MDSs, and would go to lunch with the admin bunch, that with the cost of the food, and time off the clock, it was running about 150.00/week.... that's a lot of yogurt and cottage cheese !!

[rn/writer, RN]

Alas, on nights you have no choice but to bring your own. At least that's the case where I work. They used to have night cafeteria service but it's a thing of the past.

Lots of times I make extra for supper, and dh (he also works nights) and I take the leftovers. We're both good cooks so we might have chili, beef stroganoff, stir fry or something like that. I also pack fruit, nuts, sugar-free pudding cups, South Beach bars, and occasionally cookies.

I bring a 20 or 24 oz. diet soda and when that's gone, I switch to water.

One of the upsides (but can also be a downside) to working nights is that we have parties at the drop of a hat. We'll have sub night, Chinese food night, breakfast night, taco night. Someone's birthday? Let's have baked potatoes with all the toppings. Oh, and a cake, of course. So-and-so got engaged? Yahoo, let's bring treats. You found a good price on gas? Sounds like Italian night to me. You get the drift.

It's a great way to develop staff camaraderie, but it can lead to poochie bellies and bubbly butts. Oh well. At least we're happy.

[mommywithplenty]

I think I'll be doing both. On days that are busy I'll just grap a bagel and a tea( our campus has tim hortons). I plan on bringing healthy easy to grab lunches though.

[Poi Dog]

I take my lunch with me.

[cbcle]

I work nights so no cafeteria. I splurge way more often than I should on Thai takeout! I figure that's partly what the night shift differential is for :-)