Looking for some input - healthy snacks?

[Drunk Skunk]

Brief back story - I decided that this would be the year that I would start getting into a shape other than round. So far, I've done pretty well, dropping what others seems to think is a substantial amount of weight. The problem is that now, I've sort of stalled out. I'm still getting the same amount of exercise, or more. The only thing I can figure is that the crap I eat at work, on break, is keeping me from losing more.

So, I'm looking for ideas for healthy snack/lunch type items. Keep in mind that it will be in a lunch box for upwards of 8 hours. Any help out there?

[missdpuck]

Congratulations on losing weight. I probably eat more protein bars than you would want to,but in order to keep hunger at bay I eat the low carb/lower calorie ones and have a higher carb one before workouts. My trainer told me to eat foods with a low glycemic index and that worked for me. I snack on string cheese too I happen to like that, and cherries and strawberries.

[Eric Vail]

I eat a bunch of those pre-peeled carrots, two pieces of fruit, two of those five calorie lunch jellos, a diet pop, a water, and a fibre one granola bar. This gives me lots of fibre, and some substance to fill my belly, but very few calories. Sometimes I add 100 grams of fat free turkey lunch meat to get a little protein. Stay clear of the heavy carbs like in bread, potatos, or rice. If you are hungry, bring more carrots or another piece of fruit.

[HotHotHeat]

Unsalted almonds and berries. Not together...

[jolinar of malkshor]

Sweet peas. Mmmmm

[NSFL]

Yogurt.

[nickerjones]

it might seem wierd but i eat beef jerky .... it gives me a lil protein but bc im diabetic, it has little to no sugar

[Coach]

I eat grapes or berries as snacks

[Reggie Dunlop]

Well, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out what's good for you...

After that, it should be stuff you can enjoy (or at least accept) eating. No sense toting a bunch of unappetizing stuff when the vending machine or cafeteria down the hall beckons.

Needn't be elaborate. Should be easy to prepare.

One piece of advise though: Get yourself one of those quality insulated lunch kit/bags (they make 'em for adults too now). That way, you have a proper and safe way to transport food, as they often come with pockets for mini icepacks and stackable containers, utensils and such. They're really a worthwhile investment -- it's like having the proper tool for the job. You're much more motivated to tote something from home (and probably healthier) that way, rather than scrambling to toss something together and not having a way to carry it.

Search "Thermal Bento" on Ebay if you have a chance. The Japanese had this figured out a long time ago. Luckily, you're starting to see companies like Thermos and Coleman come out with comparable products for the North American market. Camping and fishing supply (and similar) stores are stocking these sorts of products for man-sized needs whereas your WalMarts and such are more geared to the schoolkids.

Something like this:



I found this approach works really well for me, as well as being eco-friendly. Resusable containers are versatile for all sorts of foods. You might have to buy these separately, but look for stackable ones that fit snuggly in your case.

Good luck. You should save a lot more money and do your body a favor.

[Slava]

Pillers Turkey Sausages are great for a quick snack, and very lean and nutritious as well.

[Caged Great]

Is a co-worker giving you a hard time?

[4X4]

If I ever found myself working in a cubicle or office, my desk's inventory would be as such: paper clips, pens, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, pepper. Then I'd bring a bag of that pre cut & washed salad to work with me every day.

[Hack&Lube]

blueberries

grill a chicken breast the night before. Cut into chunks and eat it the next day cold.

[Reggie Dunlop]

In my personal experience, I have Crohn's Disease (an intestinal disorder), so I simply cannot eat about 95% of what's typically available in a greasy cafeteria or fast food joint.

So yeah, I trot out this kit every day at noon with my little stackable containers of chopped up fresh veggies/fruit, my little thermoses of smoothies or soups, and (when I can tolerate it) sandwiches. Used to get a few looks and sometimes ribbing, but for the most part folks kind of picked up on the idea too.

So yeah, I've been bringing food from home for a long time now. I really don't have any choice but to eat healthy. Haven't stepped inside a McDonalds in 25 years.

[HotHotHeat]

Reggie that may be the most meticulous explanation I've ever read. Thanks for the info about the lunch boxes...Learn something new every day.

[Draug]

Triscuits are pretty healthy. A ton less calories than chips. Plus they are healthy whole wheat.

I prefer the Thin Crisp ones; they are the most like a potatoe chip or snack cracker. 11 of the Thin Crisps (19g) is 90 calories, so you cant eat half a box or anything. But, maybe 20 of those dipped in Picante sauce is a decent snack. If nothing else, it gets rid of the potatoe chip craving.

In contrast, 40 grams of some potatoe chips are around 360 calories! That is over 2 cans of coke!

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Reggie that may be the most meticulous explanation I've ever read. Thanks for the info about the lunch boxes...Learn something new every day.

Yeah, just wish I was more of a health nut. Gotta quit the smoking...

I find snacking on little bits of this or that over one big workday meal works for me best.

Sliced cucumbers with a liberal shaking of Mrs. Dash are just as delicious as potato chips. Finger foods work best for me at my desk. Bell peppers, carrots, celery, bits of cheese, dried cranberries or raisins. All in small amounts spaced out.

Once you get into the mindset, eating properly really doesn't become a chore. You just have it all ready to go and it really doesn't take that much work ahead of time. You don't need to go out and buy an Oprah Winfrey-endorsed cookbook or clip newspaper recipes, just use common sense and use what's in your fridge and augment it with specially-purchased "work only" items.

Plus I think the insulated kit works well by avoiding office fridges and microwaves, which I think in most folk's experiences, are notoriously unkempt.

[chid]

I buy a big bag of sugar snap peas to munch on at work, and quite often cut cucumbers, tomatoes and put a lot of those mini carrots into a big container as well. I'll also cut a few slices of cheese and a few crackers (the low sodium triscuits are my favourite)

[Dion]

Thanks for those pics on that Thermo Bento, Reggie. That is one amazing pack. Love the idea of all those individual containers. Any retail stores sell them or must one get one via Ebay?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Dion

Thanks for those pics on that Thermo Bento, Reggie. That is one amazing pack. Love the idea of all those individual containers. Any retail stores sell them or must one get one via Ebay?

I actually imported a few from Japan, but gave 'em out as Xmas gifts.

Yeah, I have that kit, but I've been able to cobble together a similar, slightly larger set getting a Coleman stadium bag at Canadian Tire (which has outside pockets for water bottles and a thin thermos) and adding a few airtight, stackable Tupperware-type containers. Sort of like a bunch of Lego pieces.

It's sort of like I go out every work day on my own mini camping expedition. Even have my own reusable utensils.