Hi Moms! I was wondering what some of you other moms eat for lunch. I start out everyday with the best intentions to eat healthy. Breakfast I usually do fine, but by the time lunch rolls around, it is just easier to swing by McDonalds or Chik-fil-a or grab a bag of chips, than to think of something tasty and easy to make. An unhealthy lunch makes me question the point in making a healthy dinner so out comes the mac and chs and pizza again. Needless to say this is not good for me or my family and certainly doesn't sit well with my 5 year old when I try to make him eat healthier than me! Anyway, I know what good nutrition is and have read countless book on it so that is not the problem. I would just like some ideas on some healthy, easy, tasty lunch ideas. I know if I could make it past lunch the rest would follow! Thanks so much.
I buy those rotisserie chickens you can get at any grocery store. (They are the cheapest at walmart or Sam's) We take the meat off and put it in a container in the fridge, usually when I am really hungry I go for what's easiest so this helps me. I make wraps with salsa and cheese, which is my favorite, or a sandwich. I use whole wheat. You can get a variety by using different condiments or cheeses.
Make some extra dinner and have it the next day with a side salad or something. I know how hard it is eat healthy. Good luck.
Hey R.,
I am a 28 year old stay at home mom with one son and another due in April. For lunch I always make a yummy turkey sandwich with lettice, tamato, avacado, mustered, pickles, what ever veggies I feel like having. Then I eat some yogert, apple slices, nuts, an orange, and maybe every once in a while some baked chips if I stop at subway. The rule I have for myself is....If I didn't buy it on the outside of the store I'm not eating it. The outside of the store is all your fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, and bread. There are a ton a things you can make if you just do some research on the internet for healthy lunch choices. Good luck!
Hi R.,
I am a stay home mom too, so I know how hard it is to eat healthy. Luckily, my 2 year old loves all fruits and veggies, but she will not touch meat so it is hard to take her for fast food. Anyway, some things I do to make it easier are that when I make my husband lunch (he comes home everyday) I usually grill him chicken on the George Foreman grill. I grill about 4 extra pieces so that when it is time for dinner I can use them with something else. I also make Chicken Voila (sp?). It is low in fat and calories and my whole family loves it. Hope this helps.
Hi R.-
First of all, I keep a selection of Lean Cuisine's or Smart Ones in the house for those times when I just want something quick but don't want to have to think about it! It may not be the most nutritious lunch possible, but it doesn't leave me feeling as guilty as a drive thru. I also keep a lot of cans of soup in the house for the same reason.
As far as things I actually make for lunch, I keep tortillas in the house and make a variety of rollups. You can just put a slice of ham and a slice of cheese on a tortilla, roll it up, microwave for 20 seconds and you have a ham and cheese melt. You can do the same with turkey, tuna, chicken, etc.
The other thing I do is try to make healthy dinners and then put the leftovers on single serving tupperware so the next day I can just pop the tupperware in the microwave and have a healthy meal for lunch.
Good Luck,
K.
Hi R.,
I understand how hard it can be to have the time to eat right and actually prepare something healthy to eat.
I am a Lifetime Weight Watchers Member and so I am trying to always be conscious of making good choices while I am out or at home. Here are some lunch ideas for you. They're nothing earthshattering but they work.
Today for example, I had a tuna sandwich (made with Kraft Fat free mayo (that's one of the better ones), lettuce and one slice of reduced fat swiss cheese on light whole wheat toast. With that about a cup or so of fresh strawberries on the side.
I always have either WW yogurt of Yoplait Fat Free yogurt on hand and I will throw a handful of Fiber one cereal in it for crunch/fiber.
Lean Cuisines~I don't eat them all the time because of the sodium but they are good and quick once in awhile.
Progresso soups~They have lowfat choices and they are very good. You could do that with a side salad or a grilled cheese made with lowfat cheese and light bread.
I also make some great easy soups (WW recipes) that are low in fat/calories and full of veggies. So, I'll make a big batch of soup one day and divide it into one cup containers and freeze. When you want one, just take it out and defrost in the microwave and you're done!
Also, when you're out and about bring a banana or some kind of fruit that's easy to transport. I also buy Kashi bars~they are in the nutrition section of Walmart. They have all flavors and are YUMMY and full of fiber and protein. They will fill you up if your starving and on the road.
If you make grilled chicken ever for dinner, make extra and use in salads for lunch too. Very easy.
Well, I hope some of these little tips help you. Just take baby steps and you'll get there!
Good luck!
I usually bring my lunch and it's either a sandwich with a side of veggies and possibly some wheat thins, or some leftover dinner. I get wheat or whitewheat bread (whole grain white) and some lean deli meat like turkey or ham. I stay away from cheese at lunch time and only use a little bit of mayo. I was bringing baby carrots to munch on but I got sick of those so I now bring some leftover veggies.
I also have a stash of granola bars in my desk for an afternoon sweet attack!
When I don't bring my lunch, I eat at Jason's deli. If you have a Subway or Jason's near you they have a healthier selection than other fast food places. Also most places have salads with grilled chicken. Or grilled chicken sandwiches (the key is to leave off the mayo!!!)
I've been doing Weight Watchers since last February and I was able to lose 33 lbs in about 8 mos and then maintain that since. I'm now starting on my 2nd goal to lose another 25! So eating healthy is a must for me!
Sometimes it's a pain to make my lunch, but with a little advance planning I can put things together at the beginning of the week and then just grab and go!
I'm sure you will find what works for you!
R. :0)
If you eat at Macdonalds order the southwest salad with grilled chicken instead of a burger.
Jack in the box: Chicken fajita pita (is very good) or grilled Chicken. (they have salads too)
If you still want to eat at fast food just look up in the internet for their menu and choose with the carbs and calories information at hand.
I started doing that when I was pregnant and got diabetes and it turn out that I actually liked the flavor and felt a lot less guilty. Now that I do not have diabetes anymore I still order the chicken fajita pita from Jack in the box because I really like it.
I figure that you would receive a lot of recipes so I just gave you a hint to make it easy when you have to eat out and quick.
Good luck!
For a quick, healthy lunch that only takes a few changes to make different everytime...Try a salad. I don't mean some leaves and dressing...I mean the whole nine yards.. Get a bag of lettuce and a bag of spinach, all are pre ripped, shredded or whatever. Most bags of iceberg or romaine come with shredded carrots in it already. Then just get things to top it with (an I am not meaning just a favorite lite dressing) I mean tomatoes (can be quickly chopped on top each afternoon), chicken (can be purchased precooked and cubed), bacon bits, nuts, raisind or dried cranberries, croutons, cubed ham (also can be purchased precooked and cubed), etc. Almost anythign can go into a salad. IF you make one with ham, raisins, croutons and dressing, you have almost every food group in one quick and easy dish... (also...precubed cheese can be purchased and added for some good dairy).
Good Luck!!!!
