Packed lunch ideas needed to keep me going through the day

[Lovemyshoes]

I am wanting some quick ideas for packed lunches during the week for myself.

I am due to start working full-time in a new job next week, I haven't worked full-time for so long I am at a loss what to take.

I can eat most things and I know the canteen has a microwave, fridge, grill etc.

My job will involve long periods of extreme concentration so need things to keep me going throughout the day

Recipes, tips etc welcome. (P.S. I have huge appetite)

Have something like porridge or oat based stuff for breakfast with some protein.

I have yoghurt and banana at morning break.

At lunch either a vegetable based soup with a sandwich or oat cakes with something protein (sometimes smoked salmon or boiled egg) and then fruit.
Or I have couscous (with harrissa mixed in) with tuna mayo/sweetcorn/cucumber/spring onion with then fruit.
Or bread, salad and tinned sardines with then fruit.

Occassionally I have jacket potato with tuna from local shop but they are so huge I don't need anything else.

Afternoon snack tends to be whether we have time but I would take something like a nutty flapjack or a boiled egg or banana with oatcakes.

Also make sure you always have a glass of water to keep hydrated as dehydration causes tiredness and lack of concentration.

Thank you.

Quaker oats are my favourite, so that will be no hardship . What is harrissa?

Some good ideas there, I like everything that you have mentioned.

harrissa is a spice paste (african I think but sainsburies sells it) basic description I just stir a teaspoon through when I cook couscous.

The best idea if you have large appetite is to have protein at every meal/snack (so meat/fish/nuts/pulses) and to concentrate on slow burning carbs (so your oats/wholemeal bread/brown rice etc).

Thank you ever so much for your help.

I know it was a daft question, but I don't have a clue.

At the minute I only work a couple of days a week and very rarely take lunch in as I finish an hour afterwards and find it a waste of time.

I love couscous, but, I find that when I cook it and eat it the next day it is all one big lump, I don't know whether I am doing something wrong.

the clumping thing is normal - is tricky to get right. Stir through a small amount of olive oil. Or I find if your mixing it in with something with a dressing that tends to sort it out.