Zero-effort Decent Packed Lunches?

[Targent]

Hi there - I'm hoping for some help, because I'm not doing too well to be honest. Pretty hectic work and family life means I now get f-all time to take care of myself - I know I'm to blame and need to make more effort. I fail on nutrition because I never make time to cook or prepare decent lunches, and then end up buying rubbish stuff and then feeling guilty which pushes me further away from getting in shape.

I think what might help are some fall-back last resort, zero-effort options I can have in mind for emergencies so that, even when there's no time for anything else, I know I can still put a healthy lunch together.

Can anyone make any recommendations for things I can include?

Thanks a lot for any help

[SuffolkPunch]

Make sandwiches with wholegrain bread, salad, cold meats, cheese, peanut butter. If you need more calories, add beef jerky, trail mix.

[rsipock]

my emergency lunch consists of two cans: a can of spinach and a can of skinless sardine fillets. The sardines are actually good. If you pay a little more for the skinless variety, it actually tastes like tuna. Regardless, that's my 30 second meal that I keep around for emergencies.

[SuffolkPunch]

my emergency lunch consists of two cans: a can of spinach and a can of skinless sardine fillets. The sardines are actually good. If you pay a little more for the skinless variety, it actually tastes like tuna. Regardless, that's my 30 second meal that I keep around for emergencies.

haha - can of spinach

[wlodarczykn]

I keep a few "emergency meals" in my desk at work in case I'm in a pinch and don't feel like going out:

a can of soup, spaghetti-o's, a tin of tuna/canned chicken w/1 minute rice cups, a frozen bag of veggies (in the freezer obv)

[Vandeman17]

One word, CROCKPOT. Takes less than 5 minutes to throw in ingredients on the weekend. Let cook all day and you are set for lunches all week.

[gesler0811]

I can whip up a pretty mean chicken salad in just a few minutes with nothing more than canned chicken, boiled eggs, and mayo, salt, pepper.

Crushed walnuts, celery, dried cranberries optional but heavenly.

[gesler0811]

One word, CROCKPOT. Takes less than 5 minutes to throw in ingredients on the weekend. Let cook all day and you are set for lunches all week.

This is true. I found an amazing pulled pork recipe online where all you do is drop the shoulder roast in the crockpot, throw in the other ingredients, close the lid, and let the crock pot do all the work.

[Shadowman82]

I eat sandwhiches . I just cut some bread buns and either put lean sliced turkey in it or low fat swiss cheese . Takes minimal effort to make .

[gbullock32]

This is true. I found an amazing pulled pork recipe online where all you do is drop the shoulder roast in the crockpot, throw in the other ingredients, close the lid, and let the crock pot do all the work.

Heh, that's pretty much every crock pot recipe- add ingredients, turn on, wait.... done!

[aquamarine84]

Some of those pouch tuna and salmon flavors are awesome. I pack one with a fruit cup as my emergency meal (keep in mind I'm a woman with poverty macros so you might want to pack 2).

My other vice after being without a full size refrigerator/freezer is the cold section of the deli, especially the rotisserie chicken. My grocery store marks it down every couple hours to keep the stock fresh, so it ends up being pretty cheap if you time it right.

[AdamWW]

well, ZERO effort would be kind of tough... but my go-to if i'm in a MAJOR hurry is just a can of chili or lentil soup and a few slices of toast with a piece of fruit on the side.

[ErikTheElectric]

[Robosco]

This is true. I found an amazing pulled pork recipe online where all you do is drop the shoulder roast in the crockpot, throw in the other ingredients, close the lid, and let the crock pot do all the work.

I prefer pressure cooker. It takes only an hour and a half.

[gesler0811]

Heh, that's pretty much every crock pot recipe- add ingredients, turn on, wait.... done!

I guess you got me there

[ogmarebear]

I make a TON of chicken, and turkey burgers at once. I portion them all out and freeze. I also buy a ton of brocolli, and portion it all out. Kept in freezer. No time? Grab the portioned out baggies. BAM!

[Joseph1990]

They're called meal replacements. Get them at any convenience store.

[jonatentesta]

One word, CROCKPOT. Takes less than 5 minutes to throw in ingredients on the weekend. Let cook all day and you are set for lunches all week.

good advice