I post potential dinner menu ideas on Sundays, but never give too much thought to lunch. Last week I captured my lunch each day. It was a good week to do so as we were limited in leftovers so I actually had to think a bit what to eat. Generally I try and step away from my desk when possible, but often it's just not and I'm minimally reading emails, or proofing reports. Lunches need to be quick to put together, and not so fussy that my keyboard is a mess. I also rarely eat much if anything before 11:30 or 12, so I'm pretty hungry by then. Still, my goal is to stay around 600 calories, plus be well balanced. I need to be filled up for the day, though have been having a snack late afternoon to keep me fueled and avoid the end of day slump. Lately that's been hummus and carrots, 1/2 a peanut butter sandwich, or piece of fruit. On days my lunch calories are low, my afternoon snack balances it out. This seems to be working for me as I do feel like I'm snacking less at night and have good energy.
Monday: Egg Salad on two slices 45 cal bread, sliced apple. I had hard boiled five eggs the day before.
Tuesday: Leftover cheese and broccoli rice and leftover California blend veggie side from Monday's supper. Later I had 1/2 and egg salad sandwich on a slice of 45 cal bread.
Wednesday: Homemade bean soup from freezer, saltine crackers, 1/2 egg salad sandwich on a slice of 45 cal bread ( last of egg salad)
Thursday: Tuna salad with celery on saltines, cottage cheese and peaches
Friday: The rest of the bean soup, mozzarella on buns, toasted in air fryer
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| This was such a comforting lunch. I was having a stressful day, and the Diet Coke, the lit candle, soup and cheese toastie just hit the spot. I need to frame and put up a few calendar prints. Love this Paris Coffee one. |
Other weeks, leftovers are more typical, sometimes every lunch of the week. We just ate meals that were more portion specific or leftovers were frozen and saved for the future. I could eat tuna more often because I love it for lunch, but the calorie laden mayo and limiting due to mercury is why I generally don't use tuna more than once a week for supper or lunch. I know I need more servings of vegetables, so try doubling in servings or adding wherever I can. I hope this gave you an idea or two for your own lunches.
My lunches are much like yours. Either left overs from the night before, soups, cheese and crackers or hummus and veggies. During the summer it switches from soups to salads or a large plate of veggies. Enjoy your Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI'll eat more vegetables in the months we can get locally grown
Deleteones. My favorite meal ever is a sandwich made with cucumbers, tomatoes, hummus and cheese!
I just got back from a fast trip to Aldi. They had everything I wanted but fresh Mozarella. I’ll try again next week or do without- I haven’t shopping since January 9th so I did well just spending $69 today. I’ve always liked breakfast- I wake up hungry at 4 AM so have some oatmeal and coffee- occasionally scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. My lunch is early/ even if working I take a break. It’s usually soup- I always have some frozen. I like sandwiches and try to avoid bread but I’m craving a sub sandwich. I never eat out or do take out but i might just have to get one soon lol. Nan
ReplyDeleteBecause I rarely if ever eat breakfast, I am so hungry by the time I eat lunch. Nearly 4 weeks since shopping and you did really well at $69.
DeleteSounds great Sam! At this time of year I usually stick with soup for lunch. The rest of the year I generally make fruit smoothies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas!
ReplyDeleteI can usually come up with some ideas for suppers, but I can't think of anything that I want to eat for lunch. Lately it has been cottage cheese and fruit, but that is getting a bit old. Maybe I'll fix me some tuna today. I usually shred an apple in it, but I'll add some celery today. I think I'll make some hummus too.
I think I'd like Apple n my tuna salad-thanks for that idea.
DeleteMy lunches tend to be wraps or sandwiches, sometimes soup. I designate one dinner each week as leftover night, and my son and I each deside what we'll eat. He also tends to snack late at night and will clean up leftovers of meals he likes best. So sometimes my leftover meal has to be revised. :)
ReplyDeleteI like tuna too but I usually buy the small cans of flavored tuna - my favorite is dill and lemon. I don't add mayo to it and eat it on a salad or just with a toasted bagel. Yum!
I know the may o adds unnecessary fat, but it's how I like my tuna for crackers or a sandwich. DH has been coming home a few days and has made himself soup and sandwiches.
DeleteYou know my lunches, its almost always spicy noodles. I've just checked the packet and theres 180 calories in a packet.
ReplyDeleteLiking that Paris print. xxx
If I could find any decent instant or quick cook noodles, I'd add to my repertoire on days we have no easy scraps. It's and odd print size, so finding a frame has been a challenge unless I want to custom order-and I don't .
DeleteI rarely eat lunch. My kids, also, stopped eating lunch around late middle school/high school, preferring for me to pack them water bottles and a snack. DH, however, loves lunch. A point of contention in our early years was that he expected me to prepare a sit down lunch daily on the days he was home. We have always eaten dinner early, so it was very annoying for me to have to prepare lunch at noon, because I felt that no sooner did I get it cleaned up than I had to start dinner preparations. Still, a guy's gotta' eat. I prepare his lunch around 11:30, and if it's not the previous night's leftovers it's usually something like soup and crackers, toast and stewed tomatoes, or, his favorite, a snack tray with apple slices, cheese slices, and maybe some salami or crackers, with one or two chocolates. The whole family also loves it when I prepare a plate of deviled eggs on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're a breakfast eater then-I'd be headachy if I skipped breakfast and lunch-I feel it when lunch gets so late in the day. My son was a bottomless pit-he'd grab something quick for breakfast, but always had a morning snack and second entrée or another sandwich with lunch. Then he scarfed something while waiting for dinner, or if dinner was ready, he'd be sure to have another snack later. he just burned so many calories in a day. he eats more typical now, but still has a higher than average metabolism for his age/size. Very lean.
DeleteYou had me with the diet coke. I love egg salad and I need to make some.
ReplyDeleteI try to have no more than one per day. I love the McDonald's, but wouldn't wait through the king drive through.
DeleteLunch is a varied meal. I can have leftovers or boiled egg, maybe use one egg for egg salad. I like cheese and anything.
ReplyDeleteHard boiled eggs are nice to have ready and on hand-so versatile. I like cheese too much, I think!
DeleteWhy have I never thought to use my air fryer for buns with cheese? That lunch looks delish! I've been trying various recipes heavy with granola. I find it fills me up and I can go longer in between meals.
ReplyDeleteI bought a case of Greek yogurt-a cup with granola sprinkled on top and a small banana or a couple clementine's is a feast of a meal for feeling satisfied. It's so delicious too.
DeleteExcept for this week with the keto kick start, my lunch is always leftovers.
ReplyDeleteIs modified Keto a thing? I know I need more protein, less carbs, more vegetables.
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