What are some good, simple, on-the-go lunch ideas?

Question

I make my husband lunch every night, and he takes it with him to school (which it sits in the car a few hours) then to work, where he can put it in the fridge. He gets tired of sandwhiches and wraps everyday. Any good ideas for what I can make for him to take to lunch that won't go bad sitting in the car a few hours?

That I can MAKE (duh he could eat out, I'm trying to avoid that).

Okay, left overs are no good, he doesn't like to eat the same thing twice in that close a time frame (I don't blame him), so I eat them anyway. He eats out many times when I run out of bread or whatever, and he does not like to do that. He likes balanced meals. So I'm looking for more meal like ideas (lunch based) and less snack ideas. And I don't need ideas really to keep it cold, although I appreciate it, I understand these are options, I just don't want to go through all the trouble when I can make stuff that just won't go bad in such a short time.

Answer 1

Here are some sites with ideas:
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3600.htm
http://www.fcs.uga.edu/wellnessfirst/eatingoutsacklunch.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060621124743AAxtKOF
Try putting one of those frozen gel packs in with the food to keep it cold in the car.

Answer 2

personally i'm not a fan of sandwiches, so here are some of my favorite take-to-work lunches: mini pizzas: cut an english muffin in half, top each half with 1 tsp pasta sauce, 1 slice pepperoni or ham, and 1 slice cheese. This is only 320 calories, so i usually add a low-fat yohurt, and about 10 baby carrots and 2 chopped celery sticks. Then I get a full 400 calories which is a good sized lunch. yummy salads: i love spinach salad topped with dried fuit (i love prunes), almonds, boiled egg, and blue cheese. i take leftover from last nights dinner: a little bit of pasta and sauce, some rice with veggies, etc. cold alphagetti: most people think this is gross, but i love it. A whole tin is only 300 calories, so you get to eat a reasonably sized salad/a piece of fruit/veggie sticks too. An apple, a pear, cheese slices, ham slices, mixed nuts. very delicious!

Answer 3

My husband takes left overs from the night before. He likes fruit salads and regular salads--he keeps a bunch of dressing in the car. For the salads I just make a large one on Sunday and Wednesday and keep taking the lettuce out of that for the next three days--it helps me out a little. Does your husband have a lunch box? My husband keeps his lunch in the car until lunch time and it's kept cool until then. Jeez---I would think I'd know what else but I can't really remember what all I put in there. He also likes those Campbell's soup things. That's pretty much it; sandwiches, leftovers, and salads. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

No matter what you give him if it is not either in a can,a sealed package (e.g tuna salad kits,Lunchables),dried or kept cold,you are risking a case of food poisoning. If you're willing to take the trouble to ask for suggestions,how much more trouble is it to pull a ice pack out of the freezer and stick it in his lunchbox?
Another idea is to take the leftovers and freeze in single serving containers. Give them to him after a few days so he's not eating the same thing for two meals. You can thaw in fridge overnight and then when he's ready to eat it should be ready to heat in microwave, but will stay cold enough to be safe in the car.

Answer 5

Get him a $5.00 soft side cooler a Wal-Mart. Add a re-freezable ice pack. Does he have access to a microwave? Leftovers will do from last night's dinner if he would agree to heating them up.

I take celery stuffed with olive cream cheese or saltines and hummus plus home made cookies and buy a cup of coffee. I also do little baggies of fruit, olives, vegetables, deviled eggs to nibble on.

Are you sure that he not made this an impossible task for you so that he gets your permission to eat out?

Answer 6

When the weather gets cold you could put soup in a thermos it's something different and filling. Also check out Kraftfoods.com they have great ideas too!

Answer 7

- cheese and fruit (crackers for carbs)
- lean cuisine or campbell's soup to go(he can find a microwave)
- bagel and cream cheese
- cold pizza
- tamales wrapped in foil
- pasta salad (w/o mayo)

Answer 8

Here's a salad:



Caesar Tortellini
Caesar salad—with a few yummy surprises. This is the perfect salad to toss for unexpected lunch company.

Prep Time:5 min
Start to Finish:10 min
Makes:Makes 4 servings


1package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1bag complete Caesar salad mix (7 1/2 ounces)
1medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)
1/4cup Betty Crocker® Bac~Os® bacon flavor bits or chips
1/4teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1.Cook and drain tortellini as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain.
2.Toss tortellini, salad mix ingredients, tomato, bacon bits and pepper. Serve immediately.




Taco:


Impossibly Easy Taco Pie
No taco shells are needed for enjoying the great taco flavor of this easy main-dish pie.

1pound lean ground beef
1medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1envelope (1.25 ounces) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix
1can (4.5 ounces) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles, drained
1cup milk
2eggs
1/2cup Original Bisquick® mix
3/4cup shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese (3 ounces)
Old El Paso® salsa (any variety)
Sour cream, if desired

1.Heat oven to 400ºF. Grease 9-inch pie plate. Cook ground beef and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in seasoning mix (dry). Spoon into pie plate; top with chilies.
2.Stir milk, eggs and Bisquick mix until blended. Pour into pie plate.
3.Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer. Cool 5 minutes. Serve with salsa and sour cream.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Increase first bake time to about 28 minutes.



Pizza:

Veggie Pita Pizza
You can have this pizza on the table quicker than you can place an order for take-out pizza, and it’s designed especially for two!

1pita bread (6 inches in diameter)
2to 4 tablespoons pizza sauce or pasta sauce
1small zucchini, chopped (1 cup)
2tablespoons chopped onion
2roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped (1/2 cup)
2tablespoons sliced ripe olives
1/4teaspoon salt
1/8teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4cup shredded mozzarella cheese (1 ounce)

1.Split pita bread around edge with knife to make 2 rounds. Spread pizza sauce on bread halves; place on small microwavable plates.
2.Place zucchini and onion in 2-cup microwavable casserole. Microwave uncovered on High 2 minutes 30 seconds to 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomatoes, olives, salt and basil.
3.Spoon vegetables onto bread halves; top with cheese. Microwave uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds or until hot. Cut into wedges.


I hope I helped...which I probably didn't! Good luck!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Veggie sticks and dip with a few pieces of fruit.

Answer 10

Baby burgers from McDonalds.