Whether it’s for a child at school or an adult at work, packing your own lunch with wholesome ingredients is an excellent idea. Not only can you ensure lunch will be healthy but it’s also a low-cost alternative to buying lunch at a cafeteria or restaurant.
Consider low-fat or fat free lunch meats such as tuna, chicken or turkey and experiment with veggie hot dogs and patties. Use brown breads and pitas rather than white bread and buns and if you must use mayonnaise be sure it’s low fat. And pack plenty of fruit, avoiding muffins and snack foods that are full of fat and preservatives. Carrots and celery sticks are welcome crunchy additions and low-calorie puddings, yogurts, and applesauce are sold in individual packages just right for the lunch box.
Take your children with you when shopping for lunch box foods. If the goodies found inside are of their choosing and are fun to make and eat, you will get less resistance from your little scholars. Get inventive and send a pita with lettuce, cheese and other fillers packed in small containers. Your children will enjoy making it themselves at the lunchroom table. If your school has a microwave, favourite dinner leftovers can be packed and reheated the next day at school.
Adults who are accustomed to buying lunch every day could easily save at least $100 a month by packing your own lunch, which will likely not cost you more than two to four dollars a day. It takes a little planning and organizing and you can start by adding items to your grocery list and shopping on the weekend so you have them on hand when it comes time to put it altogether. It’s also a good idea to prepare it the evening before so it’s all ready to go as you dash out the door.
If your staff kitchen has a microwave, you can make a little extra dinner the night before and reheat the second serving for a tasty lunch and a pleasant alternative to sandwiches. Purchase lunch meats when they’re on sale and freeze extra packages. Buy whatever fruit is on sale each week so you can enjoy and enjoy a nice variety of apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, and melons. Remember that you can also purchase individual fruit cups which can be tucked into your lunch bag if your favourite fruit is not available.
Juices can be purchased in small tetra-paks. If you are watching your weight, remember that vegetable juices, such as tomato or V-8, have fewer calories than fruit juices. Other great ideas for both adults and children’s lunches are available at http://busycooks.about.com/od/breakfastrecipes/a/brownbaglunch.htm.
Your co-workers may not understand at first and will be urging you to enjoy them as they head out the door to the Italian restaurant or Subway but eventually they’ll realize you are no longer eating out and they’ll stop asking. Or if you still want to enjoy social time with your work mates, bring your lunch four days a week and join them on Friday to eat out.
Bringing your lunch may tempt you to eat at your desk, but you need a break away from your work. If the weather is nice, find a park bench in a shady spot, enjoying the outdoors. If eating outside is not possible, try to find an indoor atrium or at least a comfortable bench in the shopping centre where you can eat and read the paper or a favourite book. Perhaps after a few weeks, your co-workers may be inspired to enjoy you in your less expensive and more healthy lunches and they will come along with you. The important thing is for you to feel good about the money you are saving and the nutritious lunches you are eating, so do it for you!
