What do you pack in your lunch box?

[PAERRN20]

Just curious what everyone packs to take to work. I'm in a food rut and need some ideas of what other nurses eat to keep them going for 12+ hrs!

[RNperdiem, RN]

Hot soup is relaxing and hydrating, so I often pack that.

Oatmeal can be microwaved quickly and is filling. Then there is something sweet and chocolately in the lunch box.

Everything is washed down with a nice hot cup of tea.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

sandwiches and fruit. It has to be something easy to eat while pumping milk and charting at the same time:lol2:.

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

It varies from day to day, but I love to freeze leftovers from my off days and take some of whatever that is... usually it's some sort of soup. (I have a rotation of about ten different ones that I make, yummier usually than storebought.) I like a bag of nuts, for quick snacking, sometimes fruit if I remember that we have it. Water bottle that may have water or sometimes cranberry juice in it... and some staples like a pack or two of hot chocolate, and enough coffee for a pot. I like to make one pot per night of good stuff from home, and I prefer my first cup of the night to be the good stuff. Sometimes I get fancy and remember to bring slices of bread, since there's a toaster, and maybe some cheese.

If I am not eating homemade goods then I like canned soups, but there aren't many that always hit the spot. Campbells has chicken corn chowder and the potato soup with bacon and such in it, that's about it. Progresso has beef barley soup but their meat strikes me as... well, odd... their tomato basil soup is really good.

[Foomey]

I'm not yet a nurse, but between work and school, I've become a pro at packed lunches/dinners.

#1) I'll always make plenty of salad for dinner, and take the leftovers for lunch. A nice side of dressing made from balsamic vinegar, a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put some cheese, hardboiled egg, and lots of veggies...YUM!

#2) String cheese

#3) Apple and peanut butter (Skip the Jiffy and Peter Pan...they have LOTS of crap in them, and pb should ONLY have peanuts and salt!)

#4) Make meals that freeze well, and portion them in single servings. (lasagne, brisket cooked in the crock pot, spagetti and meat marinara, soups, etc)

#5) Costco, if you have one, has wonderful frozen veggies. Pack them, and they'll defrost while in the fridge...VERY quick to heat up.

#6) Can't go wrong with a PB&J. I'm diabetic, so I use sugar free jellies, but they're still very yummy.

#7) Almonds are a great protein source, and have less fats than some other nuts.

Hope this helps!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I like a box of frozen sugar snap peas. No cooking required. By the time I eat they are close to room temp and just perfect with ranch style dressing.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Love my greek yogurt, Fage, actually I think was it Leslie who turned me on to it here? Great stuff. Was thinking on the hard boiled eggs... what's the deal on those, do you all peel and then carry/fridge? How long does one keep a hard boiled egg?

[Lurksalot, BSN, RN]

couple bottle of 5 hour power drink.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

I have a hard time eating while at work because of stress, so I've taken to packing finger foods. They are usually light and easy to prepare . I also am a BIG fan of chocolate flavored Boost. Talk about a healthy chocolate fix! If it is a slow night or I have a really easy group, I eat one of the lean cuisine frozen entrées plus some of the finger foods I have brought with me. My lunch box has the following items in it:

Cut up veggies and something to dip them in

Greek yogurt

dried fruit and nuts mixture

whole grain crackers

light buttered popcornw

cut up resh fruit,

soup at hand (my favorite is chicken and mini stars)

reusable water bottle

crystal light iced tea mix

whatever lean cuisine I feel like eating.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

veggie wraps, popcorn, soda, water, ritz crackers, bagels and cream cheese. Love lean pockets. frozen yogurt in the summer. Tuna and crackers. ceaser side salad from wendys.

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

ramen noodle and a handful of frozen mixed veggies, but mostly leftovers. A bag of baby carrots and celery with low fat ranch dip. Or if I am running behind I would stop at fast food place and get a salad.

[Patchouli]

this thread is making me hungry!

[TBD82]

Coffee, water, snacks, one meal and more coffee