Sometimes I do these decorating jobs that go over the lunch hour. I can eat while I work, but it has to be finger food, and it can't be messy. I usually have almonds as a protein, and I have been doing popcorn as a veggie, but I know that's a stretch, and I just googled it, and, in fact, it is a grain. Any other veggie ideas? I've done baby carrots, but they're a little unsatisfying without any dip or dressing. I have thought about kale chips--but $4.99 a serving is a little pricey. Thanks!

How about edamame? If you have a microwave. Or does it need to be raw?

I'm a fan of sliced cucumber. I love sugar snap peas too. Those would both work probably.

My first thought was baby carrots.... Honestly, i think any veggie leaves much to be desired without dressing to dip, but I try to avoid the dips. Sliced green peppers, cucumbers, or raw broccoli or cauliflower are good. Maybe a little salt if you can stop and sprinkle. If you're worried about food poisoning and letting them get warm, pack a little lunch bag with an ice pack in it, something small that might even fit in your purse.

Edemame, even if you warm it and it cools would be good. Pop them out of their shells and just carry a baggy full of beans.

You can always buy the green smoothie mixes, but those are probably a little bit on the spendy side. You might just have to get used to eating your veggies "dry".

veggie soup in a thermos you can sip from?

or a veggie wrap - light cream cheese, whatever veggies you like on a rolled tortilla

cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes

My fav is a sliced red bell pepper. Yumm!

Zucchini spears

Exactly what I was going to say! They are delicious.

Cauliflower would also be a good one.

What about something like baked veggie chips? This may be more of a snack, but they are worth looking into.

I love snap peas!

Asparagus steamed ahead of time is like potato chips to me

Cherry/grape tomatoes. I know they're technically a fruit...

Kale chips made at home would cost less than half of that and you'd get 3-4 huge servings out of one bunch!

I wouldn't buy bagged ones; they aren't half as good as homemade with a light coating of evoo and a sprinkle of salt or nutritional yeast. They will last a day or 2 in a zip lock back. YUM!

Would it be possible to re-think your day? Call whatever you eat at noontime a "snack," say nuts and fruit, and then fix a giant salad when you get home, calling it lunch. I have weird days sometimes and that's how I handle it.