What do you pack for lunch?

[Caoineag]

I bring breakfast and lunch but fortunately we have a big frig w/ freezer and microwave at work. I just grab leftovers and fruit in about 2 minutes in the morning.

I have a drawer at work where I keep dry goods so if I forget something or need something more, they are already there. Cans of fruit are handy for sweet cravings and cans of soup are handy for days you don't feel so well. Usually keep popcorn on hand and frozen veggies in the freezer. So I don't even ever have the excuse that I forgot to bring something.

[FrugalFish]

DH takes whatever leftovers are on hand if he's going to be in the shop. On days when he's on the road, it's generally several people and they eat out somewhere. Most days when he's on the road, he's also working and earning OT, so I don't let the lunches out bother me much. I also encourage him to buy any lunch bag his heart desires- he more than saves that by taking lunch more often than not. His last one is just over 3 years old and starting to get to the point of no return.

[Caoineag]

...

Been packing lunch for years, who actually buys? Besides $$ do you know how much weight you gain from eating out? I gain a 1-2 lbs if I do it solely because the portions are too big and too rich.

Actually I had the opposite issue. When I started packing, I had to learn to pack more food to make up for the fact that sandwiches from restaurants are much higher calorie than what I make. Even just simple deli sandwiches would have 3 to 4 times the amount of meat I would put in.

[zetta]

Back in my office working days I took lunch at least 3 days a week. I did find that in my profession (software) that eating lunch out with coworkers and especially former coworkers was key to building a network, which enhances employment security -- I wouldn't have gotten my current contracting position if I hadn't made a point of periodically going to lunch with my old work buddies while I was a SAHM.

That said, I used to keep cans of soup, a can opener, and a microwave-safe bowl in my cube. Presto, easy lunch for those days when I didn't have time to make a sandwich or pack leftovers. If you don't have access to a microwave, you could take a thermos of hot water to make "cup of soup" or ramen noodle cups.

[Russ G]

Ham or Tuna sandwiches made with wholegrain bread. It keeps the weight down as well as saving money. I also take some fruit (But I do treat myself to a candy bar on Fridays!).

[fruitbowlk]

I agree my whole family pack there lunch.

[maat55]

If I'm not taking leftovers or a peanut butter and jelly, I have been taking a Banquet 2 for 2 dollars frozen microwave dinner.

[scfr]

Amen to keeping it easy!

The fanciest I get is making an Almond Butter Sandwich.

Dried mixed fruit, baby carrots, and yogurt are also stand-bys --- All are "grab & go."

[JBL]

I usually bring the following:

some yogurt (I buy it in tubs and portion out some into a small thermos each day)
one or two pieces of fruit

and I like something hot, so:
soup (home made or in a can), OR
leftovers (pastas and rice dishes usually) OR
a frozen tv entree (like mac and cheese or tuna noodle casserole or whatever).

I occasionally bring a sandwich, but I like to have something hot for lunch. I used to do Disneysteve's thing with a chick pattie, cheese, and a roll to make a hot sandwich at work.

[tabbycat31]

Ham and cheese sandwich
PB&J
Leftovers from the fridge
TV Dinner (when my micorwave needed to be replaced, I saw Pot Pies at Walmart for 68 cents each, I couldnt pass that up).

I usually bring this with a yogurt, and sometimes something sweet (not this week as my birthday was Monday, and the company gave me a cake)

[aida2003]

I just wanted to say it's a great idea to share ideas about 'brown bagging'. Because I was getting tired of my lunch. I blame my preggo harmones. .

After I read this thread, I'll post what we take to work.

[Lori63]

Leftovers, salad, wholewheat pasta with nonfat Italian dressing, Healthy Choice dinners bought for $1.49 at Sharp Sharper,...things along that line.

[sagegirl]

Brown Bag Rocks

This is my average menu:
Breakfast: oatmeal and an apple
Snack 1: yogurt and string cheese
Lunch: wheat bread with sliced chicken meat (made night before), some sliced veggies (done night before)
Snack 2: Another piece of fruit and crackers

A lot of stuff I keep stocked in our office kitchen and fridge. I usually bring everything in a cooler on Monday and store it in our mini-fridge. It is only me and my boss in the office, so I don't have to worry about coworkers "thieving" my food. It also keeps me within my calories for the day. I have lost 20 lbs since Jan 1st.

[jodi]

Not a big sandwich fan, but I do take my lunch most days (except when I meet a friend for lunch - strictly social, not lazy ). Usually I pack leftovers the night before - one container for me and one for DH. Pasta dishes pack well, as do casseroles, or a piece of leftover meat and veggies/potatoes. We both have fridge and microwave access. When we don't have leftovers, I keep a few frozen meals on hand (bought at $1-$1.50 each at my discount - er, expired food - store, or Banquet or Michaelina). I also try to freeze individual bowls of soup or chili when we make a pot since I'm a soup snob and don't care for canned. If all else fails, I'll take some tuna fish and bread to make a sandwich or some rolled deli meat and cheese. DH keeps a case of raviolis in his car for emergency lunches (he works in an elementary school, so back-up lunches are cafeteria food - ick), or will take a salad in a pinch with tuna on top.
Since I'm pregnant and hungry every two hours, I have to pack snacks as well. It helps to do this the night before as I tend to be rushed (er, late) in the morning. Some ideas: fresh or canned fruit, yogurt, string cheese, deli meat and cheese rolled up with mustard, a muffin, English muffin with p.b., etc. I keep microwave popcorn, oatmeal, and breakfast bars at work, although my space is limited since I discovered a mouse had been visiting my food drawer. Ewww....

[Daylily]

About once every six weeks I'll go out for sushi at lunch, but other than that I bring my lunch and breakfast to work every day.

Most of the time it is leftovers from the night before plus fresh fruit.
I've been doing this for 10 years.