Sockmonkey
They have too much sodium for me, so I pass on them. Plus their ingredient list is a bit long so I don't eat them. However, it's a good idea for someone not worried about sodium, and if it's something that will help someone reach your goals I don't see why not.

ClearBlueWater this is a weight loss sight, people are trying to get healthy and if someone ask a question people are going to respond with what they believe is healthy advice. I'm sure the poster wasn't expecting a list of follow up post saying " yes, I do use them" or "no, I don't use them." I also never seen many fine folks around here with a "holier than thou attitude."

That's the most outrageous thing I've ever read here about our community, and I get hammered quite a bit for saying what I think. Most of us are adults and if someone ask about something we are going to give our honest opinion without the kid gloves, just like you did.

In your defense of the original poster what you said could be considered mean and condescending to members of our community when so many people around here are doing the best they can with their struggles while trying selflessly to help others.

I think it's time for everyone to review this Sticky post by Suzanne 3FC:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111599

The gist of it is that unless a poster asks for opinions about whether their plan is healthy, members should not be debating such things or offering gratuitous judgments. Please go read it.

Jay

Mary - if lunchables help you get back and stay on track - Go for it. I know you have been struggling of late.
I used to eat the ones with just the crackers and cheese, think they came with jello or something for the dessert. They were the lower fat lunchables. I even counted them on WW points.
They are portable and if you always have some in your fridge - there is no excuse for going out for fast food. For me, I would have a problem going to Mcdonald's and just getting a small cheeseburger. I can't seem to go in there without the fries ending up on my tray
So, lunchables would be better for me.

To the original poster. I say that if this is what is working for you and keeping your calorie count in check and you are satified with it, then it is right. You have weighed your options and this seems to work best for you right now. If things change with your time, then you may also want change what you are eating.

I also wanted a fast luch! I ate a can of chunky chicken noodle soup every day for a year! Huge amounts of sodium in that!! But it worked for me for a year. Now that my situation has changed and I noticed that I was definately retaining water, I switched to a lunch with a lot less sodium. My point is you have to make best decision for you. And lunchable are working for you right now!

I think the secret to weightloss is to always evaluate your situation and do what is best for your situation. Your doing good! Jelly

Hey, if it works for you then go for it. It really is all about the calories in vs. the calories out, right? Of course, the healthier the better, but your young and busy so do what you have to do. I say anything that gets you out of the fast food drive-thru is a HUGE victory towards living a healthier life.

I'm in college and two days a week I have to take my lunch and eat in the car. In my small lunchbox, I put in a bottle of water, an 80 calorie low fat yogurt, a 140 calorie Kashi granola bar, and a 101 calorie string cheese. Good protein and fiber and low in fat. I do admit to occasionally, on the cold days, going over to the convenience store and getting a small cappuccino. I know they are loaded with calories, but after class I go to the gym and I just stay an extra 15 minutes to work off the coffee.

I don't think people are being "holier than thou" when they offer nutrition information. I see morbidly obese people in the hospital EVERY DAY, and I have YET to see a doctor confront a patient about their weight. They put them on high blood pressure meds, diabetic meds, ect.......but NEVER discuss the weight issue, or nutrition. I would rather have someone be honest with me and truly help me, than agree with me for fear of insulting me. Lunchables are not healthy food. They just aren't. Isn't it better to offer alternative suggestions, that would actually be nutritionally beneficial? Maybe it's just me but I would rather people tell it like it is and help me learn how to become healthier. We all know how to be fat and unhealthy right?

One of the challenges of bulletin boards is that it is difficult to sense emotion behind words.

As for the original question, I look for convenience foods sometimes that fit my calorie parameters. I have not eaten lunchables for that purpose, but I have eaten (brace yourselves!) Chef Boyardee on occasion....the 190 calorie mini ravioli bowls.

Are there more nutritious things out there? Sure. But sometimes my immediate goals are convenience and calorie control and there are many products out there that meet those goals. Easy and preportioned is enough on some days.

Good to see you, Sock!

I think a lot of times on this forum people are divided into two groups: those whose main purpose in life is weight loss and those who are trying to lose weight while meeting five hundred other committments as mom, wife, employee, etc. I'm not saying either group is more right or more on track or more focused, just that there is often a dividing line. I know I've been coming here less and posting less because the tone has been so extreme lately. I miss the 100 chicken recipes and the practical solutions to things that don't involve finding a product I've never heard of.

I've never been to a Trader Joe's, never eaten tofu, never tried protein powder. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with any of it, just that I can't relate to those posts. That's okay.

Lunchables might not be the healthiest choice on the planet. They may be high in sodium and perservatives. But what's important here is that someone is trying to find a simple tool to advance her ability to stay on plan. She doesn't want or need a lecture about what would be better. If she had time to make her own lunchables, she'd probably have time to cook something else. What she's saying is they're a better choice than the fast food she's been eating. AND SHE'S RIGHT!

We all need to quit being in such a hurry to save the planet and give each other the support everyone needs. Great job! Better choice! Even better if you're avoiding the candy and sweet beverage that they include. If you have time to pick up some apples or bananas to go with your lunchable, you're going to have a healthy meal.

That's the point, ladies. And in the real world, the better choice and the conscious effort is what's going to make us successful.

And there I got up on my soap box and didn't even answer the question!

YES! I eat lunchables. They are road food for us. We spend a lot of weekends driving 5+ hours to our lakehouse and you pass a lot of fast food places in five hours. We put lunchables and fruit and veggies with dip in a cooler and drive right by them. They're sealed up nice so you don't have to worry about the cooler water leaking in and they are portion controlled. Otherwise, I could probably eat the whole box of crackers on that trip!

I sure hope these two things are not mutually exclusive! I'd have to choose saving the planet over giving support.

Sockmonkey, whatever works for you! If you need convenience food to get you through a short-term situation, then go for it.

IMO - Eveyone one of us has own way of finding or healthy eating plan. We may not all start out at 100 % healthy eating but if we truely want to get there we will in our own way. I'm guilty of eating non healthy foods at the start. I've learn from my mistakes and am still learning. I've cut out many things I use to eat. All hotdogs no matter if they are turkey or not. I just don't find them good. Does it make it wrong for someone else to eat hotdogs. No it's learning process and if this is one thing they need to keep them going then I have no right to say your wrong! You'll find your way so keep trying to find your way! If it's in your plan who am I to say stop!
Keep swimming you'll find your way.

I ate them when I was a kid (and my parents let me, which was not often). Actually, I think my DF grabbed one on a road trip once...

I think it's great that you are re-evaluating your plan. While people disagree over whether luncheables are a good option, I think we can ALL agree that staying away from the fast food is generally a good idea (and if I'm wrong there, I don't care because that's how I feel about fast food )

Why not try something a little more wholesome? I think it would be better from a nutritional standpoint to even make a ham and cheese sandwich using whole grain bread, low fat cheese and perhaps a little less processed lean meat? throw in some of those pre-packed carrot sticks and maybe some dip, some baked lays and a small apple and you're good to go. While luncheables do contain fewer calories, they also contain tons of nitrates and chemicals (which in my opinion lowers their nutritional value).

I know when we are used to not even getting out of our cars to get a meal it can seem like an undertaking to prep our own food, but I think we can make time for it.

I am a non-chips-and-pasta-eating vegan (LOTS of veggies and fruits and legumes...). It takes me 10-15 minutes to prep my food for the next day. I am a full-time student, I work full time at a demanding job and am planning a wedding. But If I can't take 10-15 minutes out of my day to make my lunches, there's no way I'm fitting into that wedding dress (and I need to re-evaluate my time management as well!).

Mary

I've never had a lunchable, but I'm glad they're working for you


Linda

Sorry - that's probably a local saying that doesn't translate well on this forum. I don't mean save the planet literally. We use it to mean taking everything as seriously as saving the planet. Freaking out over some sodium instead of recognizing the portion control aspect. When someone gets their underwear in a bind over something we say they're off "to save the planet". I sure hope "underwear in a bind" is widely known or my explanation probably won't help!

I never liked lunchables even as a kid. Even though you don't have time to cook, you probably still have time to make a sandwich. That's what happens to me when I come home late from class. It's not exactly the best dinner, but it works!