I'm trying to get started on a calorie counting eating plan and I'm kinda stuck for lunch ideas. I work in home health and on any given day, I may be up to 100 miles away from my home at lunch time. I have no access to a microwave or fridge (just an insulated lunch box) and I'm kinda burned out on sandwiches and I HAVE to stop going through the drive through all the time. Any ideas for portable lunches around 300-500 calories? Thanks!

lunchables are not to bad..just add an apple instead of the cookie or mini candybar.They are loaded with sodium but alot better than fast food.

Salads, tuna, grilled chicken, boiled eggs, fruits

Many convenience stores have microwaves, when I have to be on the road sometimes I'll go in and buy a drink to go with my meal and use their microwave.

These are the lunches I tend to make:

*Pasta or potato salads with lots of veggies
*Garden salads with diced chicken and veggies
*Pita with salad stuffed inside, and optional add ins like pumpkin seeds, chicken, etc
*Pita or tortilla with grilled veggies
*Grilled cheese, with thinly sliced veggies like red pepper in the center. Change the type of cheese to keep it interesting (determined by whats on sale)
*Cold leftover lasagne or thin crust pizza with a green salad
*California rolls, some roasted chicken, and a salad
*bean or chickpea salads
*Leftover rice and beans

From a mom who LOVES to pack lunches...
One word... thermos!!!
http://www.thermos.com/product_catal...0&ViewAll=true

They have them in plain and I bought one a while back for my son to take to his PDO program. It wont keep you food piping hot but it will keep it warm. If you buy one put boiling hot water in it overnight and then in the morning but boiling water in it for about 20minutes then add your hot food and seal it as quick as you can.

Also you can take anything cold that you want as long as you have a cooler and an ice pack. One of the best ice packs around is a litterless juice box half filled with water then frozen and topped with water in the morning.

If you have these two things in your kitchen your lunch choices could be unlimited. Oh and make sure you have a great insulated cooler

Given your work situation, I would SO invest in a cute ice chest and cute serving savers. Buy something fun and sporty to encourage you to plan and utilize them!

Just do leftovers of whatever you cook. Cold shrimp, chicken and the like is great--even if it was served warm the night before. Throw in a couple of bottles of water with some of the one packet Crystal Light things. Small baggies of 15 almonds is a great thing to stave off hunger--as are boiled eggs. You can also purchase the grilled chicken breast strips that are already cooked and toss in. Be sure to pack plenty of protein. I am not an advocate at all of things like the 100 calorie snack packs--they leave me screaming for more food. Instead, toss in apples, peaches, plums, a tomato, whatever. Get crazy!

You are seriously onto something with the planning. It is imperative I have found.

Btw, I am a muncher some days. I like fresh green beans, baby carrots or cut broccoli. The great thing is that you can basically eat as many as you want. You will get tired of chewing before you eat too many of them!

Interesting thread to read. I work in a school with 2 microwaves between 80 staff and the fridges are always fit to bursting and as a result I too am sick of sandwiches as they're the only thing I'm guaranteed of being able to manage to eat within my 45min lunch break (should be an hour, but by the time the kids are out, I've put anything I need to away and got to the staffroom, then I need to be back in class before the kids come in!). I'm going to be making notes