I am wanting to make a small change in my lunch. Help me decide what to do. Below you will see my typical lunch. I put a slice of reduced fat cheese on my sandwich. I have noticed that I don't really taste the cheese on the sandwich. I don't see any sense in continuing to using it. Here are some changes that I thought about:

~Omit the cheese all together and not add anything. This will free up 60 extra calories for dinner or just to lower my daily calories

~Instead of eating a snack pack of apples, eat a whole apple. How many calories are in an apple? Will a whole apple be about the same calories as the cheese and apple snack pack together? If I do this, do you think the whole apple will be more filling than the cheese and apple snack pack?

~I also have some snack packs of carrots that are 35 calories

~Any other suggestions?

Lunch: (340 calories)
Earth Grains 100% Whole Wheat Thin Buns 100 Calories
1 slice Reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese 60
2 slices Hormel Natural Choice Cooked Ham 30 Calories
Romaine Lettuce Leaves
Grey Poupon Mild and Creamy Mustard 0 Calories
Snack Pack of Sliced Apples 40 Calories
Oikos Yogurt 110 Calories

What about putting a spread you would notice the flavor of on your sandwich? I love hummus in sandwiches, or spreads that have herbs/garlic. Avocado is good too, and gets in some healthy fat, if you enjoy it. Or, put in more protein - more ham, for example. Protein is really key for keeping me full.

mandalinn Thank you for the reply. Protein makes all the difference for me, too. I have tried avocado before, but have issues with it turning brown. I have tried the Wholly Guacamole packets, but I don't like the onions in it. I have never tried Hummus. Maybe that's a better option to look at.

Was just going to write the same thing regarding hummus - i use Sabra's (or Trader Joe's) roasted red pepper hummus or roasted garlic hummus in sandwiches for a different taste.

nationalparker Thank you for the reply. We don't have a Trader Joe's here. Is Sabra's a brand name? I will google it now.

I make my sandwiches with low-cal bread, lite mayo, sliced turkey (lower sodium than ham), mozzarella, and plenty of avocado. I also bring some of whatever fruits/veggies I have around the house (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, carrots, sliced cucumber, sliced green pepper...) to help fill me up without going overboard on calories.

Avocado always oxidizes after you've cut into it, but if you use it fairly quickly (within about 5 days) you can prevent it from getting so bad that it's unusable. If you cover the exposed part that also helps slow it down - you can do this with something like an Avo Saver (http://www.amazon.com/Harold-Import-.../dp/B001IWONL6) or even just the plastic produce bag you get at the store. As long as the exposed part is not in contact with the air it should keep longer.

I *love* Sabra's Pine Nut hummus! I love it too much.... I had to stop getting it because I have no self control while eating it.

Spreading a bit on a wrap is yummy, especially with lots of veggies!

Thanks for all the replies. Hmm, some stuff to think about. I have enough cheese to last through next week, so I have some time.

I like hummus on my sandwiches too. I also add shredded carrots and I buy a packaged salad that is spring mix with herbs (dill, parsley and cilantro) thrown in. The herbs are so yummy, and dill in general is awesome on a sandwich.

I put avocado on my sandwiches too. It doesn't matter if it turns brown, it doesn't impact the taste and it is perfectly safe to eat. It is akin to how an apple browns when exposed to air. I find if I am eating an apple it will turn brown before I finish it. No big deal. Now if you leave it in the fridge and it gets black, then yes, don't eat it. But on a sandwich eaten within 24 hours? Totally fine.

If you want to prevent it, make sure the avocado is totally between two slices of ham. The ham should keep the air from reaching it and it won't turn brown at all.

Another substitute would be a light Babybel cheese (50 calories) eaten on the side with the apple pack as a snack. Also, 10 almonds are 60 calories and are quite yummy with an apple. These are 2 of my favorites snacks.

I use HealthyLife bread which is 70 calories for 2 slices. I omit the cheese because I didn't add much in the way of flavor, I'd rather have a mini baby bel light anyway!

I spread some Laughing Cow cheese on my sandwiches. 35 calories for a wedge. It adds a creaminess like mayo and a little cheese flavor. I'm currently using the Garlic and Herb kind but it looks like they keep coming out with new flavors.

This week my sandwich of choice was:
Arnold Multigrain sandwich thin (toasted)
1/2 grilled chicken breast
laughing cow cheese.

Soo good!

Woo Hoo! More suggestions. Thanks for giving me more ideas.

Oh, I also love tzatziki (a greek yogurt based sauce with lemon, dill, and garlic) on sandwiches. Definitely adds flavor, for low-calories, and has some protein from the yogurt.

Oh, a tip I forgot to mention: squeezing a bit of lemon juice(I'm pretty sure lime works just as well) onto the avocado can help the oxidation process that turns it brown.