My husband works outdoors and does not have anyplace to keep his lunch cool, the ice packs only seem to last so long and he works ALL day. What are some good lunch items that will not spoil in this terrible heat yet are nurtitious and filling? We have tried the Tuna cups, and are looking for some other things like that?
2006-08-01 08:35:06 · 36 answers · asked by Sunshine 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
Firstly, get one of those 6 pack igloo coolers that doubles as a lunch box. PB and J. Any fruit that you will not have to cut up. Gatorade, water. In hot temps like this, his body will not require as much food, but definately more liquid.
2006-08-01 08:39:43 · answer #1 · answered by danzahn 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If he likes the tuna cups you may want to try the chicken ones as well. Canned food is really your best bet- Deviled ham, tuna, chicken, salmon along with peaches, pears, etc (dole makes them with pop tops).
What we always made for hot day lunches were throw together salads -First freeze your bottled waters and put it in the bottom of the insulated lunch bag. Right on top of that put a small unopened bottle or packet of ranch dressing (we use www.minimus.biz they carry travel sizes) a small can of chicken breast, and a can of bean and corn salsa (all these cans should be in the fridge the night before to help keep everything cool). Toss a bag of mixed greens on top and add a frozen icepack. Depending on how hungry he is this will either feed him and a friend or just him with some salsa left over. Don't forget to pack a plastic bowl and a fork!
2006-08-01 08:56:25 · answer #2 · answered by iahp_mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cheese sandwiches do well, as do cured meats (the kind that don't need refrigeration) like salami and prosciutto.
Middle Eastern foods are always good because they're from countries that don't have refrigeration. They make sandwiches on pita bread with some hummus, cheese and veggies. Falafals are delicious with hummus on pitas.
If he takes a thermos, you could also do a chilled soup, like gazpacho, Thai soup or Ratatouille.
Another trick that I learned in college when I had to carry my lunch around is that if you make up a submarine sandwich (no veggies) and put it in the freezer the night before, then it doesn't thaw til lunch time and won't spoil.
You could also do pasta salads with oil and vinegar instead of mayo, or German potato salad.
2006-08-01 08:45:42 · answer #3 · answered by yellow_jellybeans_rock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cant go wrong with thermal containers that are made to keep food and drink cold or hot. I alway do a fruit salad in a thermal container w/ a few cubes of ice. You can do it that way for almost anything!!!!! Try it with a container that holds in the cool temp. It really does work! Ice packs melt fast in high heat, but they still give cool temps for a period of time even after they have melted.
2006-08-01 08:44:13 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know it's hot out, and the last thing you may want to eat is something hot, but anything you can put in a thermos would be best. It's already cooked and won't spoil in a thermos.
I worked in bridge construction years ago, and brought in left-overs in thermos. It's much better than soggy sandwiches.
2006-08-01 08:41:36 · answer #5 · answered by elguzano1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich and freeze some water bottles the night before. They can be used as ice packs as well as provide you with a chilly drink!
2006-08-01 08:38:41 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
soup is a good one! I've been bringing in beef stew in the little plastic microwavable containers. Anything that comes in plastic microwavables is good cuz it's designed to get hot. I wouldn't go with any kind of sandwich.
Frozen meals might be a good call too, if he's got a freezer somewhere.
2006-08-01 08:41:34 · answer #7 · answered by Firstd1mension 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get one of those insulated lunch bags they sell at CVS or Rite Aid. watermelon balls in a plastic container. apple. sandwich (won't spoil if left cool for a day or so) and one trick my mom taught me is to take two bottles of water. refrigerate one and freeze the other. this way, it will keep everything in the insulated lunch bag cooler longer. you can drink the cool water first with your lunch and as the day progresses,, the frozen bottle of water will melt and you can drink that one later on.
2006-08-01 08:41:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches keep very well. If you are packing sandwiches with lunch meat, hard meats like , salami and peporini seam to keep the best. Avoid Turkey or Chicken. they go bad Quick.
2006-08-01 08:40:38 · answer #9 · answered by jlayton134 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
refrigerated grilled chicken with cucumbers and a bottle of water is one of my favorite summer meals to make.
If you are worried about the food keeping in the heat, pack his lunch in an insulated lunch box.
2006-08-01 08:59:50 · answer #10 · answered by Annette G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋