Midday munchies

[tugrik]

One of the nastiest dietary problems I have right now is the one known as Lunch While At Work.

Everybody at my company eats out. Everybody. I've fallen into the same habit. I haven't made and brought my own lunch in the entire 3 year timespan I've been at this company. This is, to say the least, unwise. Usually we end up at fast food. If not there then an indian buffet place, or maybe Pasta Pomodoro or a chinese restaurant. With the exception of the rare trip to Fresh Choice and such places most of them are pretty high calorie / not-that-great-forya foods.

But, what's the solution? If you have a solid 1 to 1.5 hours midday, a lunch budget, the urge to get out of the office to get a brain-break and a lifestyle that leads to almost no prep time for bringing a lunch to work, where do you go? I'm probably just going to have to kick my own tail into preparing lunches at home and bringing them in. I just wish that between all the fast food and junk food lunch-sites there was a little building with the sign "Healthy food that you want." I'd be happy to give them money each day in exchange for healthy, decent food that varied enough to keep me coming back. Believe me, I'd love nothing more than to never give money (and take calories from) a fast food place again.

Comments

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

There are personal chefs all over craigslist service section that will make a menu with you, shop, cook and fill your freezer for money.

One of them is even a friend, although she sin't accredited. Seriously, there is an accredidation cert/agency for thiese folks on nutrition, safety etc.

[tugrik.livejournal.com]

I've never heard of such a thing... neat! Where might I find more info?

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

http://www.uspca.com/

Results vary widely, like any other service person. In the same way you would want your mechanic, doctor, gardener etc, to listen, communicate well and deliver service - don't be afraid to shop around.

And not everything should need to be cooked and frozen. I know from working in my Mother's deli that many non-meat salads will hold for 3 in sellable condition, 5 days in eatable condition when packaged properly (dry goods like seeds and dressings seperate from the bulk, mix at eating time)

[hydra-velsen.livejournal.com]

When I get to feeling like I've put on weight, I just starve. I'll go a few days without eating till I'm happy with my weight, then back to the normal diet.

[smackjackal.livejournal.com]

For me it depends. Most of the time I just hit the company cafe and get a light sandwitch. The down side is that even a light sandwitch at the company cafe is a little steep in price. Lately, though, I've been hitting the Togos near my office at either 11am or 1pm to avoid the lunch rush. I usually order a small roast beast or turkey and ham on wheat. Better than the company cafe's idea of a sandwich and cheaper too. I skip the chips and soda, though. I usually drink water with my lunch and I'm not a die hard chip fan.

[tug-the-dragon.livejournal.com]

I would say subway but,
Those stupid steak subs made me gain weight
grrrrrrrrrr
But they taste so good

Comic that doesn't really apply...

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

http://lorebrandcomics.com/letssee.html

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

If I tried that I'd faint, then gain 15 lbs the moment I started eating again.
I envy you so damn much.

[shatterstripes.livejournal.com]

I do that by accident when I get too busy sometimes. It's not fun. Probably not good for your system in the least, either...

[turbinerocks.livejournal.com]

Gwyn's trying to eat healthy at work, and hates packing her own lunch, so what she generally does is buy these microwave ramen meals from our local asian grocery. They wind up being kinda like ultra tasty gourmet cup-o-noodles.

[bigtig.livejournal.com]

I'm lucky enough (or unlucky considering how BAD the selections are) to work for a company that orders lunch for delivery. I do recall, from back when I lvied in DC that there were companies that would prepare lunches for you and delivery them on a weekly basis all packaged with all the trimmings for every day. You could specify dietary restrictions, food and spice preferences, and calorie allotments. Their market was for folks who wanted to be able to diet specifically, etc.

The othe option would be to eat out, but to do so in to start to break the habit. Get a few coworkers to go together and have some sandwiches and such delivered. Take over a conference room for an hour and relax. It's a good step in the right direction.