I'm a student and on tuesdays and thursdays, I have class from 8:00am - 9:15am and then I am on a break (and in the cafeteria) from 11:00am - 12:15pm. I eat a healthy breakfast with lots of fiber before I leave for school, but then in that break time, I get hungry; lately, I've been buying a small bowl of chili on those breaks. The problem is that I know that I am buying that chili (as opposed to yogurt and fruit or other healthy alternatives) because I want something hot and comforting. The chili isn't the totally worst thing that I could buy, but it's not the best. I don't really have the money to be spending on snacks, either. Does anyone have any suggestions? I thought about the following brought-from-home alternatives, not many of which would "soothe" or comfort me. I shouldn't be eating to comfort myself, anyway. That's part of why I am overweight!

Here is what I've come up with, none of which seem very comforting to me:

fruit
yogurt
almonds
homemade trail mix
luna bars
100 cal snack packs

A couple of things that would be okay with me would be starkist tuna and crackers kits and those soups in a microwaveable container that don't need refrigerated. They have a ton of sodium but at least I know the calorie count.

Anyone have any other ideas? I am a "salty" person, not a sweets person. I don't like oatmeal and I need stuff that doesn't need to be refrigerated. Thanks in advance!

I have a great "thermos" style insulated container that is like a large (but still portable) bowl that keeps things like chili and soup hot. I buy them wholesale and if you want to buy one from the same company (NOT from me, this is not a sales pitch!!! ) PM me for the name.

When I can't plan ahead, I eat at school too. I also crave warm, comforting foods. I am eating at school and the best choices I have found are steamed broccoli with brown rice ($2.50 total) and I bring baked tofu to add to it on some days.

Hey there! That's a great idea about the Thermos. Maybe I will look into one of those. I could handle steamed broccoli and brown rice. I forgot that there is a Panda Express on campus and I think it is open that early (that's another problem: most places are closed except for the convenient store and Rubio's and a few other places)...I could get some of those steamed veggies they have. Thanks!

I love cup of soup tomato soup (in the little powder packets). It's not health food by any stretch of the imagination, but it's only about 80 - 100 calories depending on the brand. If your cafeteria gives free access to mugs and boiling water, all you have to carry with you is the packet.

Campbell's makes a microwavable tomato soup product as well that has about 100-120 calories. I think they have other types as well, but I've only had the tomato. You can drink it right from the thing it comes in, so you don't need a spoon or anything like that even. Just the microwave!

You can make many delicious kinds of soups that will feel great and be filling on a cold day. I make big pots of soups and freeze them in individual containers. If you pull one out of the freezer in the morning and bring it to school with you, it will still be pretty frozen by the time you micro it for your lunch. No need to refrigerate.

I take soup a lot of days to work. I have a real good unbreakable STANLEY "thermos", shaped like a bolt with a handle, it's pretty heavy duty, that keeps it hot no problem, ran about $25 at Target.

Since I have made better choices I have been eating a lot of Progresso soups.

You can get the "light" Italian-Style Vegetable 60 calories 0 fat or the chicken Noodle 50% less sodium 90 calories 15 fat or the 45% less sodium Chicken and Wild Rice 90 calories 15 fat. 2 servings in each can.

I really like them, a lot of varieties at Ralphs and Albertsons...they run about $2 a can, cheaper at Albertsons.

Dill pickles and stuffed olives pack easy...a little crunch not many calories.

Good luck KIDDO.

Have you looked into those Ziplock steam bags? You could throw raw veggies in there and steam them in the microwave. I also used to buy microwave rice. It comes in a sealed container (like a TV dinner) but is shelf stable. You vent it and zap it for 2 minutes and viola, rice.

Also, try freezing what you want to eat that day. If you pull it from the freezer at 7, it will still be cold by 11 (unless it's 90 degrees out). A store I used to work at had the same problem - nothing around was open when I went to lunch, and I had no way to store food. I started putting everything in the freezer so by lunch time I just had to zap it.

Trooworld, I am not sure if you have access to a microwave or if you can cook at home. If you do (both things) make your own chili and soup like baffled suggested. I do exactly the same thing. I freeze the soup or chili in a muffin tin. I carry one to work in a microwaveable container, and nuke it when I am ready for lunch.

What about some tea to comfort you?

Yes, this is similar to what I was thinking of. I think Campbell's makes the soups that I am thinking of, they come in their own microwaveable "bowl" and you just pop the top and microwave it.

I think I will also end up doing this. I was trying to avoid taking a container to school and then having to shove it in my backpack when I'm done, but I think that is the bottom line...it would be more healthy than the canned soups.

Ah ha! Now I know your secret to success! Soup for lunch. I love pickles and olives...but how would I shove those in my backpack without them getting crushed? I can't take anything that doesn't fit in my backpack, I have to walk pretty far to school and don't want to lug a lunchbag around with me. What about frozen pickles and olives? No, that would probably be gross.

That's a good idea. I don't have access to mugs but if I pay, I can use their boiling water. I could use their microwave for free, though. You just made me think of something: I could get those packets of chicken broth and add them to water and drink those. Tons of sodium but I would get my fix.

I *love* those veggie steam bags. I am too lazy to actually steam veggies so I buy those already in a bag and cut up veggies and pop those in the microwave and they come out great. Best invention in a long time.

I do indeed have access to a microwave. I think I will start making soup on the weekend and freezing it in individual containers small enough that will fit in my backpack. I will just have to be careful to rinse them out after I am done so that I don't end up with soup remanents in my pack!

I love tea. I drink that at night sometimes to calm me down. I didn't think of that. That is much better than drinking coffee (which I do enough of before I get to school!). I have a travel mug that I could bring too. Not microwaveable though.

Thanks everyone!

I think if you're craving something spicy and warm, eating the cold/sweet stuff isn't going to do it for ya....

There's lots of lowfat/vegetarian chilis on the market though!

I love progresso lentil soup....I put hot sauce and fresh spinch in it, I think it's the food of the gods!

Healthier for the environment too! It's not good to be throwing plastic away all the time, especially not when it can be reused. Everyone wins!

Because of the leakage issue, how about putting the foods in separate, smallish zipper bags (even pickles and olives) and then put the bags inside one of those plastic containers with press-on lids? That way, even if the lid comes off, you won't get stuff in your backpack.

Jay

That's so true. When I get like that, sweets are the last thing on my mind. I love that lentil soup from Progresso!

Good point, baffled. I didn't think about that, but that is something that I concern myself with...throwing away so much. I even bought cloth produce bags so that I wouldn't have to use those plastic bags for the veggies.

This is a great idea! Or I could put the container in a ziplock bag. I think if it is frozen, though, it should be okay. But that's what I can do to make sure. Good thinkin'! Thanks.