Foods

I've been grabing frozen meals like Healthy Choice, Smart Ones, etc for lunch.. they are fast, easy and usually on sale at the grocery store. But since I'm been on Calorie Count-- I've noticed, they had a lot of sodium.. they don't get a great "nutrition grade", and some have a lot of sugar. The one I had today was 310 calories. Yesterday I went over 100 calories yesterday--wondering if I could have made a better lunch choice and hit my calorie goal for the day.

Anyone have any low-cal healthy lunch ideas-- that are still easy and fast?

I used to buy those ALL the time.  Finally switched to fixing my lunch regularly (often leftovers from the previous night's dinner).

With a little organization, you could cook a chicken breast the night before, spiced however you like it, then slice it up in the morning and use it as a topper for salad (many people use premixed greens, but I like to add extra crunchy goodies to it, like radishes).  A little vinagrette (or, in my case, a splash of lemon juice) and presto!  Bring the dressing on the side so the salad doesn't get soggy.  Tired of chicken?  Grill a small piece of salmon or a breakfast steak.  It only takes a few minutes the night before; assembly in the morning is quick.

Or try making chicken or egg salad with yogurt rather than mayo (more calcium!  less fat!), and put it either on whole-grain bread or in a whole wheat pita with veggies and/or sprouts.

Or how about tossing some healthy food in a flour tortilla?  Lots of fiber in beans (use whole beans, not refried) with veggies.  Toss in some precooked shrimp for extra protein.

So many choices out there!

I cook up chicken breast and use them for several days.  I cut  up about 2 0z. worth of ckn and put them with veggies in a high fiber wrap, or in a bowl of homemade veggie soup (which I make up once a week). I also use the ckn cut up in about 2 cups of salad.  Along with an apple and some raw veggies and it's fast and easy.  On Sundays I cook ckn or low fat turkey burgers, salad made in a large bowl, and cook the veggie soup.  Having it all done at once really saves alot of time during the week from doing alot of cooking. Planning is the key.

Yes- the frozen meals do have a good amount of sodium and cals, but I still buy Lean Cuisines and Smartones but I follow these rules:

1) Must be under 240 cals.  It's easy to fall into the trap of "this seems healthy" but then you check the box and there is like 400 cals of crap in there

2) Must be lower in sodium (the Lean Cuisine spa classics are lower in sodium than most)

3) NOO CHEESE in my frozen meal. It's not worth it anyways because it doesn't taste as good as fresh cheese

Because I buy the lower cal frozen meals, I always have other "sides" with my frozen meal like fresh veggies, fruit, yogurt etc.  That way, my entire meal isn't just a frozen entree. 

great tips! I'm going to use those! thanks!! :)

Some Ideas for you.  Maybe try a protein bar for some diverstiy.  Add lots of fresh fruits, which I bag and take to lunch all the time.  Whole Grain Bread and sandwich meats make a low calorie option.  I have seen these vegetable steamer bags (I bought some).  Basically you can throw some fresh veggies into a bag and microwave it for steamed vegetables.  Another Ideas I found on an info-mercial - Make homemade chicken salad sandwiches.  Take an apple and slice it up take a chicken breast and cut it up add fat-free Mayonaise blend it together and it makes a great chicken salad sandwich.  I know it sounds bad, but it is really good.  Also you can snack on dry cereal instead of snack food from a machine.  Good luck, hopefully you can use something that I said. 

Just adding to the chicken salad idea:

I put in non-fat plain yogurt instead of mayo (and it tastes exquisite!), dried cranberries, a little walnuts or almonds, grapes, celery, paprika, and a little bit of curry and red pepper, cuz I like it spicy! I have the recipe on CC if you look for "cwarren" under "Recipes". It's quite delicious and it's only like, 150 calories per serving. Add that to a couple slices of whole wheat bread you're lookin at less than 300 calories for a great, satisfying lunch!

this lunch isn't going to hold you forever.. but you do get a little bit of fat, some carbs and some protein all for 150 calories!

Jospehs Whole Wheat Flax and Oatbran Pita- 60 calories

Two Tablespoons Hummus- 50 calories

3 oz Carrots- 40 calories

It's quick to make and eat, and usually holds me till my afternoon snack. If you wanted to make it heavier, I'd go ahead and add a low-fat yogurt and a piece of fruit, or some low fat cheese to the sandwich.

With winter fast approaching, I stock up on Progresso Lentil soup cups, and the blackbean if I can find it.  The whole 2 cups of lentil soup is 280 calories and totally yummy.  I have also done wraps.  A smear of peanut butter, chopped apple, in a whole grain tortilla.  Totally good! 

And it sounds weird, but I add either small kidney beans or black beans to my chicken salad.  I call it Crazy Chicken Salad and love it.  Esp with the sweet of the craisins.