simplest, nutrition-complete lunch (healthy, tuna, reheat, peanut butter)

[snowmountains]

If you bring lunch to work, what's your idea of a very simple package that is nutrition-rich and balanced? It doesn't have to be too tasty, but should not be too bland, either.

By simple I mean it doesn't need a cooler, doesn't need reheating, hardly need any container-cleaning afterwards, easy to carry.

I think a hard boiled egg + a fruit (apple, orange...) can be part of such a lunch, plus some good quality bread. These will be good in either cold or hot weather (unshelled cooked egg shouldn't need a cooler in hot summer). You don't need any container that you'll have to clean later on. (I know some will say sandwich, but in hot summer you'd need a cooler for it, or keep it in a fridge at work.)

[saibot]

Hard-boiled eggs are so nutritious, but I'm not very fond of them, so my choice would be some nut butter (peanut is okay, almond is better), whole-wheat crackers like Ak-Mak, and some fruit.

[snowmountains]

Originally Posted by saibot

Hard-boiled eggs are so nutritious, but I'm not very fond of them, so my choice would be some nut butter (peanut is okay, almond is better), whole-wheat crackers like Ak-Mak, and some fruit.

Nut butters have the problem with sticking on your teeth, so you need to bring toothbrush and toothpaste

[mainebrokerman]

cans of tuna fish..... low fat and high protein...(guys don't mind eating as is,,,but most women i know just ewwwwwww at the thought of eating out of the can )

peanut butter ,,,eat right from the jar with a spoon..

yogurt,,,greek or the fruity stuff

pot roast was my favorite....bring a big chunk in a cooler with ice packs...

popcorn....

ham steaks are quite healthy

[Hedgehog_Mom]

It depends on whether you're working with people who will complain about the smell. Tuna and eggs are pretty stinky.

Greek yogurt would be my pick.

My husband always takes leftovers from dinner the night before, but he brings his container home for me to wash out. If he was having to wash his own container he'd probably take a sandwich so he could just throw out the baggie when he was done.

[elnina]

Look for healthy recipes, like those:
Nutrition Made Easy - Healthy Lunch Ideas | Cooking Light
10 Healthy Lunches
10 of the Most Nutritious Foods in the World (1/11) | Best Health Magazine Canada

[snowmountains]

Hard boiled egg has no smell. Tuna is too smelly... Yogurt requires cooler/refrigerator.

[Dirt Grinder]

PB&J and a banana. I've never had a problem with peanut butter sticking to my teeth, but I do like the bread to be fresh enough to stick to the roof of my mouth.

BTW - if the peanut butter does stick to your teeth - eat an apple. It's natures toothbrush.

[toosie]

For quick/shelf-stable lunches, I usually have peanut butter with apple - or almonds, craisins, and baby bell cheese.

For quick but refrigerated, I'll have coconut yogurt with Alpen cereal - or hummus with carrots.

OP, they make little thermos and insulated lunch bags that will keep food warm or cool for 4-5 hours.

[fresnochili]

I bring a big ole yam. I zap it in the microwave in the morn before work, put lotsa butter in it, tupperware, throw it my locker, and just heat it up in the microwave in the break room.

It's so quick n easy.