Tips for healthy lunches at work

[Kimmyt]

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.



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?

[five one]

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.

[caligurl]

I bring everything from home each day.

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!

[HappyAnika]

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.

[deidre]

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.