What Do You Pack In Your Lunch?

Well I will start back to my part-time job next week as a substitute teacher and I don't know what to pack in my lunch. I will only have about 25 minutes for lunch and I prefer not to heat something up because so many teachers have to wait to use the microwave. I have not been able to get all of my protein in so I need suggestions please. I do not do well with protein drinks either, I guess I haven't found one that tastes good yet. Please help.

I pack cottage cheese or yoguart or laughing cow cheese wedge and a cheese stick. Once I could have vegies- I add a few carrots to my lunch box.
I perfer cold foods over hot for lunch.
Hope this helps!
Good luck with going back to work!
Betsy

I bought some small round gladware containers that will hold one scoop of protein powder.  I like to take Nectar Cappuccino protein powder to work for my coffee. I also take Kroger Carbmaster yogurt and some Bear Naked Granola or some Kay's Better protein cereal to add to it. The other day I took three slices of Boar's Head pepperoni with lowfat mozarella cheesestick wrapped up in it, and put it in the microwave and then dipped in barilla low sugar spaghetti sauce.  I got this idea from a member on Bariatric Eating who used roast beef instead.  Its like a pizza cheese stick with the Boar's head pepperoni, but you could use the hormel turkey pepperonies.  I did make some of those recently too.  they are much smaller and you can just run about 3-5 on a toothpick and pop in microwave. definitely some cheese sticks...  and some deli meat like turkey or chicken. I also make homemade chicken salad. I love that.

Melinda - Need a recipe for your chicken salad.  I'm looking for a great chicken salad recipe as I'm craving it right now and can't find a good recipe that appeals to me.

You can use cans of chicken (like the ones that tuna come in).  I went and purchased a Kroger rotisserie chicken and took all meat off the bone.  Took the white meat, shredded it all up.  I added some salad dressing, some grapes, a little bit of fuji apple, pecans or walnuts, and some dill seed.  Its that easy.  I got the idea for the apples off Bariatric Eating.  I don't eat celery as early on it could get stuck in your pouch.  I just kept that rule for myself, not wanting to take a chance.  The apple provides a little extra crunch where the celery normally does.... My favorite thing to eat with it are some Kay's Natural pretzels.  You can crumble a few on top. I usually use 4 or 5., breaking in small pieces.  I have also used Revival Soy protein chips, Genisoy crispy dippers, or Kay's Naturals White Cheddar Kruncheez.  These are low in stats and do have some protein.  You could also use the Hanover Parmesan soy crisps as sold at Publix.  They are flat and kind of large so you can use them as cracker substitutes.  OR you can put them on some cucumber slices.

Great ideas. We don't have a Publix here in Clarksville but I already eat the Carb Masters yogurt from Kroger. I will have to try your chicken salad without the fruit for now but it sounds so yummy. I like cheese sticks or string cheese so that would be good too. I haven't tried the Nectar Cappucino yet. I tried to make protein coffee this morning and it came out lumpy and gritty. I just put some vanilla unjury in my coffee, it didn't turn out right. lol

The deal with most protein powders is they don't do well heated.  What you need to do is make you a little paste with some water and protein powder, mix it into a slurry and then put it in your hot drinks.

darlene

Darlene, you are right, some of those protein powders "cook" the second you add the ho****er.  I have found that if you run the water through a coffee pot, that is just the right temperature.  It will not overcook the powder.  Plus, I have been using my little hamilton beach hand held blender/mixer thingy.  Just whirls away inside your cup and blends great.

I do sandwich wraps a lot. I get the low carb tortillas and wrap them with variety of things. One day will be low sugar spagettii sauce, cheese and pepperoni, another is with tuna, and sometimes wrap in lean lunch meat and cheese. They are easy and no need to heat. I also sometimes bring protein jello and trina has turned me on to Edamame they are soy beans in the pod and very good snack high in protein yummy.