Tips for healthy lunches at work

I always have a problem with eating a healthy salad for lunch, although I do enjoy a good salad. Usually I just don't find the salad bar at work appetizing enough for me to want to get something from it. They have a decent selection of stuff, but you can never tell if you're going to get grilled chicken breasts and fresh raspberries or canned peas/corn and processed 'ham strips'.

Plus, it's expensive... when you start putting the 'healthy stuff' i.e. heavy stuff on, the poundage goes up and the price goes up.

:mad:

So a while ago I found a really good solution, and it made me really want to eat a good healthy salad at lunch instead of something more unhealthy. It's pretty simple, but I was telling some coworkers and they just hadn't thought of it.

My solution was that I started bringing it in. Oh, not everything, because I just couldn't be bothered to pack my lunch and bag salad always wilted too fast for me to use it all.

Instead, I brought in the 'fixins'.

Try this next time you want a salad but don't like your choices at the salad bar. Bring your own mix of the following in a size that is enough to top a hearty salad with:

1 Fruity (fresh berries, canned sliced oranges/pears, pineapple chunks, dried cherries, etc.)
1 Crunchy (walnuts/other assorted healthy nuts, candied almonds, strips of oriental crackers/wontons, etc.)
1 Flavorful (marinated chicken/tofu, leftover meat from dinner last night, feta or other good crumbly cheese with or without herbs, sundried tomatos)

Leave a bottle of salad dressing at work or keep a small bottle of olive oil and flavoring vinegar.

Then, all you have to do is buy your leaf salad which is much cheaper, and you have a gourmet salad for the price of under $2.

My favorite combos are:

fresh blackberries/feta cheese/walnuts with strawberry vinaigrette
leftover fajita meat/shredded cheese/tortilla chips with olive oil vinaigrette or just a small scoop of sour cream instead

Anyone else have any favorite 'fancy' salads they enjoy?

I bring everything from home each day. Usually it's a base of spring greens or spinach, mushrooms, cucumber, grape tomatoes, grilled chicken or shrimp, any leftover veggies from dinner, walnuts, dried cranberries (just a few - lots of sugar) and a sprinkling of gorgonzola or bleu cheese. A little splash of Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette.

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Originally Posted by five one

I bring everything from home each day.

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ditto.... i can't remember the last time i ate out while at work.... i bring breakfast, snacks and lunch! i don't even visit the soda machine... cuz i drink water 99% of the time.... if i do want soda.... i bring a can to work with me!

Kimmyt, thanks for the idea. Our salad bar at work is really sad, they have greens, carrots, broccoli, bac'n bits, and ranch dressing. That's about it. Not a lot going on for variety.

On the weekends I try to make a big pot of healthy soup so I can bring the leftovers in for lunch, along with a piece of fruit and some yogurt. I think I will try your salad idea for something different.

Kimmy,

Great idea. I never thought about bringing in my own salad toppings but it makes sense. I usually bring in my own salad and the fixings. If I don't bring in my own salad, the most I would ever had on had was my own salad dressing (my favorite is Kraft Balsamic Vinaigrette) and sliced, toasted almonds.

I travel for work and am away from home during the week so I buying my own greens is sometimes not the best idea. I don't eat it all or it goes bad and I have to throw it away. Now, I'll plan to keep a few other ingredients on hand (like my mandarin orange slices) and buy the greens from the office.