Brown-bagging lunches can save you hundreds of dollars a year, and it might even help you lose weight if you make good choices.
ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has ideas and tips to pack a delicious lunch.
ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has ideas and tips to pack a delicious lunch.
Some you may already know, some are worth considering:
Packables You Might Not Think to Tote:
Breakfast For Lunch. Frittatas are great served cold or warm, so pack a slice or two while adding a piece of quiche in as well.
Leafless Salads. A mix of chopped raw vegetables in vinaigrette, black beans, corn, diced red peppers, and chopped scallions make a filling, healthful, and inexpensive salad.
Portable Pasta. Try whole grain pasta with vinaigrette and canned salmon or store-bought meatballs. For the carb-watchers, use spaghetti squash, orzo, or brown rice.
Antipasto and Dips. Small bites can be as satisfying as a big sandwich, so pack mozzarella cubes wrapped in roasted red peppers, olives, deviled eggs, salami, and roasted almonds.
Sandwich Substitutes. Pack wedges of good, flavorful cheese, a crusty whole-grain roll, and some grapes or veggies. Try a chicken or egg salad in a hollowed-out tomato, or baked zucchini halves scooped out and filled with chili or other stuffings.
Hot and Hearty Fare. Take homemade, canned, or store-bought soup in a wide-mouth thermos. Leftover stews, stir-fries, and casseroles stay hot and pack well too.
Chip Alternatives. Popcorn or healthy edamame beans are much cheaper than chips from the store. Boiled green soybeans also make for a great late-afternoon pick-me-up.
And some ShopSmart Brown-bag Dos and Don'ts:
DON'T get stuck in a rut. Try packing frozen fruit like peaches or raspberries, which will thaw by midday. Instead of the usual vegetables, consider radishes, jicama spears, or sugar snap peas.
DO avoid soggy salads and sandwiches. Pack greens separately from the dressing and skip watery tomato slices. Instead, try thin slices of zucchini, cucumber, or mild daikon radish which stay crisp for hours.
DO spice it up. Pack extra seasoning in a plastic bag to add to leftovers - hot sauce in particular wakes up other flavors.
DO invest in the right containers. Good containers should be seal-tight and microwaveable. Avoid plastics marked with recycling codes 3, 6 and 7 which could potentially contain harmful chemicals.
DON'T forget a drink. In summer, brew your own tea or coffee at home. In cold weather, bring your own cocoa, coffee, or tea bags and just add hot water.
DO keep smelly stuff at home or under tight wraps. Avoid fishy or garlicky leftovers and skip the stinky stuff if you aren't eating outdoors.
Packables You Might Not Think to Tote:
Breakfast For Lunch. Frittatas are great served cold or warm, so pack a slice or two while adding a piece of quiche in as well.
Leafless Salads. A mix of chopped raw vegetables in vinaigrette, black beans, corn, diced red peppers, and chopped scallions make a filling, healthful, and inexpensive salad.
Portable Pasta. Try whole grain pasta with vinaigrette and canned salmon or store-bought meatballs. For the carb-watchers, use spaghetti squash, orzo, or brown rice.
Antipasto and Dips. Small bites can be as satisfying as a big sandwich, so pack mozzarella cubes wrapped in roasted red peppers, olives, deviled eggs, salami, and roasted almonds.
Sandwich Substitutes. Pack wedges of good, flavorful cheese, a crusty whole-grain roll, and some grapes or veggies. Try a chicken or egg salad in a hollowed-out tomato, or baked zucchini halves scooped out and filled with chili or other stuffings.
Hot and Hearty Fare. Take homemade, canned, or store-bought soup in a wide-mouth thermos. Leftover stews, stir-fries, and casseroles stay hot and pack well too.
Chip Alternatives. Popcorn or healthy edamame beans are much cheaper than chips from the store. Boiled green soybeans also make for a great late-afternoon pick-me-up.
And some ShopSmart Brown-bag Dos and Don'ts:
DON'T get stuck in a rut. Try packing frozen fruit like peaches or raspberries, which will thaw by midday. Instead of the usual vegetables, consider radishes, jicama spears, or sugar snap peas.
DO avoid soggy salads and sandwiches. Pack greens separately from the dressing and skip watery tomato slices. Instead, try thin slices of zucchini, cucumber, or mild daikon radish which stay crisp for hours.
DO spice it up. Pack extra seasoning in a plastic bag to add to leftovers - hot sauce in particular wakes up other flavors.
DO invest in the right containers. Good containers should be seal-tight and microwaveable. Avoid plastics marked with recycling codes 3, 6 and 7 which could potentially contain harmful chemicals.
DON'T forget a drink. In summer, brew your own tea or coffee at home. In cold weather, bring your own cocoa, coffee, or tea bags and just add hot water.
DO keep smelly stuff at home or under tight wraps. Avoid fishy or garlicky leftovers and skip the stinky stuff if you aren't eating outdoors.
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