Foods

I have a challenge for everyone.

I need suggestions for something I can take to campus for lunch that needs no refrigeration, can survive 3 or 4 hours in a backpack (no squishing), and does not leave my hands sticky (like apples do).

I have a feeling that the secret may lie in the containers more than the foods themselves.

Thanks for any help here.

Have you considered a bento ?

 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bentoboxes/

A can of tuna (or sardines), a pack of crackers, some tabasco and a can opener.

cans of green peas or corn

fruit purees )those ones for babies)

granola bars/flapjacks

carrots (washed/peeled)

 

 

or you might consider buying a plastic container and putting things in it

I am having this issue too!!

sometimes I put cereal in a zip lock baggie.. and granola bars always work

aalso, some dips / salads are sold canned

I am SO in the same boat!!  I work in a strange environment - very busy, open plan, 100's of people wandering around at any point in the day.  There are no fridges and really nowhere cool to keep food.  Trying to lose a few pounds and would like to try and save some cash at the same time.

All of the sandwich shops around me haave loads of mayo in every sandwich which I'm not keen on.  What can I make at 8am that is still ok to eat at 1pm (or 2pm if I get busy) that doesn't involve can openers etc.

Basically....what can I make in the morning which is ready to eat as soon as I'm ready?  I'm done with buying lunch every day as I'm never fond of what I end up with and it's always loaded with fat!! 

Yes, dishy, I have a similar problem. There's never any telling where I might find a spot to sit. Sometimes I even have to take my lunch to my on-campus job, where I have to eat while carrying it around with me.

Cans are heavy for my nearly 1/2 mile walk across campus from the student parking area, and then disposal sometimes is a problem afterward.

I looked up the bento thing, midnighttrain, and that looks like it might have possibilities.

Some of the traditional bento stuff, like the plain rice balls, would probably work without refrigeration. (I wouldn't try it with raw tuna or anything though!)

At this point I'm looking at raw vegetables and whole-grain crackers I would guess.

All seems a little boring though doesn't it?!  I'd want a proper lunch, something filling enough that I'm content but not suffed.  If I just take in snacks....I'll be hungry later and head down to the cafeteria and get a chocolate bar! 

Invest in plastic containers in different sizes, then fill them with:

frozen leftovers (ought to thaw before lunchtime)
sandwiches or wraps
onigiri (rice balls) or vegetable sushi rolls
salad (with any dressing carried separately)

If you have a thermos, you can carry soup, stew or chili.

And instead of worrying about getting sticky fingers, get a box of individually-packaged wetwipes and put one of them in with your lunch each day so you can clean your hands when you're done, if water isn't available.

Ew - frozen leftovers, still cold?  Maybe if I had a microwave but not sure about them thawing and eating them cold. 

I think I'll have to resign myself to the fact that I'll be eating crummy packaged sandwiches for the forseeable future, blah!

Why not invest in an insulated lunch box, a small insulated food container (for hot or cold) and a small ice pack? There are some really small ones that are designed just for lunches.

When my kids take their lunch to school, there's no microwaves or refrigeration available.  There's so many great insulated lunch boxes now-- I usually go to a store like Target for that.  Sometimes they want soup and I can put a serving of soup in this great little insulated cup that has a built in space in the lid for a pop out spoon. I'll heat it on high in the morning and by lunch, it's still warm enough.

When you're done with your lunch, just seal up the containers, put them back in your bag and wash them later at home.

I suggest chili, soups (I assume your campus has microwaves for students like mine does), pb sandwiches,egg salad sandwiches, cold pasta, salads with nuts and fruit-tons of things! you just have to plan is all!

Plastic containers. They have some exactly sandwich-sized, or 1/2 cup sizes for small amounts.  Then get creative. Cut-up veggies are always good - pack a yogurt dip in a tiny container. Fruit, too - cherries, grapes, etc.  Yogurt - I don't mind mine warm, but you can freeze them, too, and they'll thaw by lunch.  100-calorie packs of things.  Popped popcorn for snacks.

Sandwiches - but get creative. Pita bread with chicken; whole wheat with turkey and cheese, etc. - use low-fat salad dressing instead of butter or mayo.  Wraps!  Low-fat cheeses; pre-packaged tuna (either the foil envelopes or the small cans with crackers), protein or granola bars.  Pasta salads (again,w/lo-fat dressings). 

I agree with the handwipes (although finding a bathroom can't be that hard - can it?) and packing utensils to bring back home inside your containers. Much more "green" and environmentally conscious, too.

And search for "brown bag lunch" or "packable lunch" on google - tons of good make-ahead ideas for no-heat, easy-pack foods.  Just adapt them to your food plan.

You can start here:  http://busycooks.about.com/od/lunchrecipesand menus/a/morebrownbag.htm