Probably done to death - but lunches for office (not sandwiches)

[mandy214]

I have been yo-yoing in the last year with losing half a stone, putting it back on, losing it again. I have been going to WW but returned yesterday and have put on 9lbs in about 10 weeks .

My downfall is lunch - I rush out to Waitrose and grab a sandwich. I'm either on a diet (so strict) or not (anything goes) - I don't seem to have any middle ground.

So I'm looking for ideas of low fat / low cal lunches for work - which don't involve bread. We have a fridge and a microwave, and have in the past brought in salads, soups etc, but all gets a bit same-y.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks

Homous and dippy things? You can buy small lots of homous so you're not overeating a whole big pot and take things like those ryvita thins or cucumber and carrot sticks? The carrot sticks you can buy already prepared!

Ooh good idea, thank you. It all seems so simple when other people suggest ideas - when I'm looking I have no inspiration at all! Thanks

I've been microwaving frozen or fresh prepared veg and eating them with a tin of anchovies! Tesco do little tubs of side dishes, like seasoned roast Mediterranean veg, which are just 200 ish calories or even less and anchovies always seem to be 100 or under. This is not particularly gourmet fare I do realise!

Today I had kettle chips and a slice of burger cheese.

Could you grill chicken breast at home and have it cold with salad or veggies? I also quite like those salmon fillets and smoked mackerel that are ready to eat, with sweet chilli or peppercorns on them, again with a bag of salad. Sushi has always been my best thing for lunch, M&S do some lovely ones and so do Tesco and the Co-op!

I used to quite like cracker breads with soft cheese, ham and tomato on, would have about 4 of them and it was still a low calorie lunch

Have a big breakfast, plan a big supper and then just have a pot of raisins and nuts and lots of water for lunch

planning
planning
planning

no dashing out for meals when hungry EVER

I make quick frittata/tortilla things at home and have them cold with salad. My favourite is chorizo with roasted pepper & onion but you can chuck in anything you like.

I also make a chicken breast with chilli lime marinade, cook the night before and have with salad

The other thing that I find helpful is taking a small snack for the afternoon ( mine is usually a couple of cherry tomatoes and a couple of tiny mozzarella balls) it doesn't need to be much just something to stop me eating junk

I take chicken and salad or salmon and salad. Also try egg white muffins which are egg whites and veg, other alternatives are hard boiled eggs, protein shakes or bars.

Egg white muffins sound AMAZING! Like these?

I rely too heavily on ready made things, my snacks at the moment are usually quest bars (expensive) or cottage cheese with a tub of pink slaw or beetroot. I feel healthier just looking at those muffins

Thanks all. I don't like sushi -I wish I did - but some great suggestions. Should keep me on plan