I need some ideas for food for my lunch. I need stuff that is CHEAP and has little to NO preparation time. Ramen noodles would be AWESOME if they were not so high in calories!
I have been eating salads with a yogurt or fresh fruit, and a lunch size bag of sunchips for the last 2 months ... I need something different.
Can you crockpot something on the weekends? That way, you're not dependent on your parents for leftovers. You can just make up a big batch of a soup or stew on the weekend, then package it in tupperware containers and grab one on the way out the door.
Canned soups are OK, but could be improved with more veggies, less sodium. Still, in a pinch, low-sodium varieties can work out.
Well, the six inch subway subs around $4 where I am. Some McDonalds things, in moderation, can be well fit into a diet - a grilled chicken snack wrap and a yogurt or summat.
Maybe you should start offering to cook your parents supper one night a week They might appreciate it so much they'll hush up if its on the healthy side. I was too embarrassed to try cookied when I lived at home, which I really shouldn't have been.
Kashi frozen meals are GREAT. I also will make a couple of sandwiches Sunday night (whole wheat pita, turkey, cheese, baby spinach and hummus) to take with me the rest of the week. Sometimes I'll even make other things in bulk (grilled chicken strips, etc.) to wrap during the week.
I would suggest Subway, where maybe you can make the dressing in your spare time. Maybe some olive oil, so youre getting in some healthy fats. I found that really helpful when I was working all day than had to go to school at night.
Also maybe some low calorie frozen dinner. Like healthy choice or lean cuisine. There very easy to make. And you know exactly how many calories youre consuming.
I found these wraps at the grocery store called "flat out" bread.
Only 90 calories w/ 9 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber! really good with turkey, mustard, spinach and tomato. and so easy to pack for work/school.
Most of these things are really cheap and super fast to throw together in the morning or just make it all on a weekend to keep for the rest of the week. I also keep a lot of canned things at work:soups, beans, corn, green beans, tuna. They're fast and cheap and you can eat them out of the can if you're really that pressed for time or just lazy like me. =)
Energy bar like Nature Valley-Oats n' Honey bars are really easy, tasty and healthy.
Nature Valley Oats n' Honey bars have the following:
180 calories, 6 grams of fat, 29 grams of carbohydrate, 11 grams of sugar, 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber.
Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Sugar, Canola Oil, Crisp Rice with Soy Protein (Rice Flour, Soy Protein Concentrate, Sugar, Malt, Salt), Honey, Brown Sugar Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Baking Soda, Natural Flavor, Peanut Flour, Almond Flour, Hazelnut Flour, Walnut Flour, Pecan Flour.
For the same caloric budget but with more vitamins, minerals, you could have a big apple and 12 almonds. Simple, natural, whole foods are often overlooked but can be great choices for the body, the pocketbook and the palate.
If you are the type that can eat the same food over and over again then you might want to think about what I try to do.
On the weekend I will make a casserole like the baked ziti I'll post below. I put it into portions and then just grab a container as I am heading out the door. I'll supplement with fruit and/or yogurt...
I haven't tried the cheeseburger and fries casserole but I plan on it!
Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole
Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef or lean ground turkey breast
2 cups shredded, reduced-fat cheddar cheese
½ cup 1% milk
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed reduced-fat, reduced-sodium mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (20 ounce) package frozen French fries
Preparation:
In a skillet brown the beef and drain excess fat.
Stir in the cheese, milk, and soup.
Pour into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Arrange French fries on top.
Bake uncovered for 50 to 55 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until the fries are golden brown.
1 ½ lbs ground turkey breast, or 1 lb lean ground beef (90 to 95% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 jar pasta/spaghetti sauce, such as marinara (lowest sodium possible)
1 ½ cups shredded, reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
5 cups cooked tub-shaped noodles (3 cups uncooked)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation:
In a large saucepan, over medium-high heat, cook beef & onion until beef is browned, stirring to separate meat. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in pasta sauce, 1 cup cheese, and noodles. Spoon into 3-quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese & parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Quick, Easy, Cheap, Healthy food??
They might appreciate it so much they'll hush up if its on the healthy side. I was too embarrassed to try cookied when I lived at home, which I really shouldn't have been.
