Question:
I am starting back to work soon. I am 3mos post-op RNY. Suggestions on easy foods?

I was laid off work for a while. I am going back to work at the end of this month. I am 3 months post-op RNY. I was wondering if anyone can give me suggestions for fast, easy foods to take to work because I'll be gone all day. I'm going back a different person with a different lifestyle now. I want to stay away from the convient fast food trap I got into before pre-op all the time. Any foods you can think of that are easy to carry & prepare for breakfast, mid-day snack & lunch for a busy schedule? Or even foods that I can keep handy in the refrigerator at work? Thanks!    — Allison T. (posted on July 10, 2002)

July 10, 2002
I bring cottage cheese, protein shake mix and milk, cheese, ham and cheese sandwich, crackers, fresh fruit. Pretty much normal stuff, but I try to eat more protein rich food. Good luck going back to work, and don't work too hard right away!
   — Christine L.

July 10, 2002
Because I can't eat a whole meal at night, I usually take what is left from that meal and take to work the next day. I take chicken quite frequently as well as any veggies that I may have cooked. Most anything along that line will do. I'm lucky in that we have a cafeteria on site so I may get a small salad from that to go with whatever meat I brought. I have saved a lot of money since I no longer buy a $5.00 lunch everyday. I think Lean Cuisines or something similar would also be a good solution if you have a microwave handy at work.
   — Tparker

July 10, 2002
I'm always on the run, and here are a few things I take for work; String Cheese; Protein bars (convenient and you can keep a bunch in your desk); Chili (I prepare a big batch with lean beef or turkey and freeze in individual serving containers to bring for lunch); turkey or ham "roll-ups" (roll a slice of ham or turkey w/ a slice of cheese and roll); hard boiled eggs. Depending on how strict you want to be w/ your carbs, adding fruit and/or whole grain crackers adds variety too.
   — mom2jtx3

July 10, 2002
Want to peek inside my desk at work??? It's a little scary, I'll warn ya! =) I ALWAYS keep a jar of peanut butter, a can of nuts, and a stash of protein bars (see my profile for my picks). I also usually have a few of the following: nsa carnation instant breakfast packets, a small can of baked beans (watch the sugar content!), a bucket meal of chicken and dumplings, jerky, and/or a couple of frozen meals (OK, those I keep in the freezer--not my desk). I often bring a hunk of cheese and some fresh fruit to stick in the fridge. I eat out most times at lunch but I like to know that if I get caught at my desk or have to run to an impromptu meeting I will have something to eat. I also use this stuff for bait and switch. If I want chocolate, cookies, or something else I shouldn't be eating, a spoon of peanut butter or a handful of nuts later I am too full to bother with it. I have to say that the nuts are the best one for me. They fill me up and stick with me for a long time (sometimes too long and I forget to eat later!).
   — ctyst

July 10, 2002
I ate alot of cottage cheese when i first went back to work. i also eat, string cheese, beef jerky, protein bars, peanut butter on crackers, fruit, soy crisps (something crunchy instead of chips), individual sized cans of tuna. I always make sure to keep things on hand that I can eat so I won't be tempted to eat something I really shouldn't.
   — Kelly T.

July 10, 2002
For lunch, I bring half sandwiches, or you can make tuna/chicken/egg/crab (your choice) salad and eat on crackers, or leftover dinner from the night before. You can also bring grilled chicken over a salad. For breakfast, I make at home a scrambled egg with melted cheese and a dollop of veggie chili and eat it in the car while riding to work in the am (traffic is a fact of life here).
   — Cindy R.