Portable Meal Ideas?

I am going back to school in about a week and have all lunchtime classes, so will have to eat lunch usually in class! Something I don't like to do anyways, and somehow I don't think it would go over well if I do what I usually do at work and whip out a bunch of ingredients and start assembling a huge salad or sandwich. This is fine for at work because I have lots of space to "work" in, but those desks in lecture halls are small! And I am usually taking notes or something while trying to eat at the same time. Also, I feel really weird eating and making food in this type of setting (ie: in front of people who are not eating themselves), but it's really my only option. I need something that is going to be more "portable" than my salad, easy to eat, and doesn't need warming up as I won't have access to a microwave. Any ideas?

(PS: FYI, I hate sandwiches at lunch with a burning passion. If I can't make it fresh then it's a big no - just to warn you! Unless anyone has any good tips for lunchtime sandwiches I haven't thought of - let me know!)

i would bring a small insulated lunch bag with containers of tabouli and hummus and some naan bread to spread it on, along with a banana and maybe a snack bar like Fiber One Oats & PB for lunch. This would all be quiet enough to fix & eat during class, doesn't need full refridgeration for the morning, and it's not going to be strong smelling like tuna.

or prepare serving sized containers of home-made pasta salad, lentil salad, tabouli/couscous, etc. and bring those with some cubed cheese.

Oooo carrihound those are great ideas! What about a peanut butter and jelly wrap, as opposed to sandwich? You could also bring a thermos with some sort of thicker stew which would be less messy because there isn't a lot of liquid, like maybe chili!

I gotta vote for the new healthy choice steamers thugh they are like three bucks a meal. Or Kashi makes healthy tv dinners if u have a microwave. If not I would suggest making a sandwich and bringing a fruit and an already prepared salad.

Carrihound: I must admit that I didn't know what tabouli was, I looked it up though and it looks delish! Thanks I think I will try making a batch for lunch! Any tips on how to make it properly?

Mooo: I also have never tried PB and jelly on a wrap...I am not a fan of jelly or the two together, but maybe PB and a banana would work? What kind of wrap do you use? I usually get ones that are flavored like something, somehow I don't think that would be very good though lol...I have had such a hard time finding a wrap I like. I am in Canada, and can't seem to find many of the suggestions that people give on here. I reeeally like your idea of a thermos of soup or chili, I will definitely do that when winter months roll around!

These are fabulous ideas, Thanks! 

If you can't find a wrap you like, peanut butter and banana is frickin' awesome in pita bread.  I eat it every day.

i used the recipe on the site here and it turned out great! my only suggestions are to add about half of the lemon juice to the water with the bulgher wheat while it's cooking (that infuses the wheat with the lemony flavor); i cut down on the salt & just added that to taste; and i used 1/4 cup mint (a little less than the recipe calls for, so the mint wouldn't be as strong). it makes a delicious chilled entree & is very filling.

Throw your salad in pita bread that way you can eat and write at the same time.  Or do a small "buffet" small containers of cheese cubes, baby carrots, a fruit, and crackers.  That way you can munch and take notes without disturbing anyone.

I use a wrap that's called "flat out". The light ones are 90 calories, the regular ones are 100 calories, so not much difference. They come in a variety of flavors, even flavors like cinnamon and french toast! You can check them out on their website: http://www.flatoutbread.com. I think they're available in canada, too!

I wasn't sure if you thought a banana would get a lil too mooshey by the time lunch rolled around, but that's my favorite combo, too! Especially if I sprinkle it with a little cinnamon! If I'm feeling incredibly evil I substitute nutella for peanut butter. Soooooo good, especially if you use some other fruit like cherries or apples...mmmmm....you could also use cashew or almond butter!

this is my portable meal.

I carry this around....

Lite Rye bread & low fat deli meat (usually chicken or turkey)

Pre-clean/chopped-up Bagged Veggies.
I usually grab the carrots/broccoli. Any supermarket will have.

some minerial water
I find carbonate water more refreshing and fills me up better.

You can make your salad ahead of time...just put the gooky stuff like tomatoes in a separate baggie and toss them in at the last minute.  Also the dressing.  They have tupperware containers with freezer lids now so it will stay chilled even without a refridgerator.

Lettuce, nuts, mixed together

Tomato, cheese, onions, egg, dressing in separate ziplocks (snack bags work well)...toss them into the big bag and shake for an instant salad.

Veggie burgers...don't need to be cooked.

Chicken or turkey breast...should stay cold enough in a tupperware container for lunch.

fiber one bars, kashi go lean bars....all really good.

maybe bring some cheesestrings, crackers, chopped up fruit/veggies?

womens health mag has a great article...10 great meal plan replacements...I have tried a few of them they work great...mojoes49829

10 Great Meal Replacements

1. BUMBLE BAR W/ 4 OZ. CANNED PINEAPPLE W/ 4OZ 2% SMALL CURD COTTAGE CHEESE (360 CALS)

2. L'A'RA BAR W/ STONYFIELD FARM SMOOTHIE (460 CALS)

3. MOJO PB PRETZEL BAR W 1/2 CUP GRAPE TOMATOES W/ 1/2 CUP RED GRAPES (370 CALS)

4. ODWALLA BAR W/ HANDFUL OF DRIED VEGETABLES SUCH AS JUST CRUNCHY CARROTS (350 CALS)

5. OPTIMUM POMEGRAN CHERRY ENERGY BAR W/ W/ PEAR AND ORGANIC VALLEY STRINGLES MOZZARELLA CHEESE (440 CALS)

6. BOLTHOUSE FARMS PROTEIN VANILLA CHAI TEA W/ BANANA (425 CALS)

7. EAS ADVANTAGE RTD FRENCH VANILLA W/ MEDIUM APPLE DIPPED IN ALMOND BUTTER (377CALS)

8. NAKED PROTEIN ZONE DRINK

9. SLIM FAST OPTIMA W/ NEWMANS OWN ORGANIC GRAHAM ALPHABET COOKIES "20 COOKIES" (440 CALS)

10. STONYFIELD SMOOTHIE W/ GOLF BALL SIZE OF ALMONDS (430 CALS)

I eat meal replacement bars, protein bars and energy bars when I am somewhere that a meal is not easy.  Not only are they easy, but the ones I eat have vitamins, the protein, low carb,low sugar and low cal.  They taste great, and because they are loaded with protein, they take away your hunger.  The ones I eat I get on the web at bizlinkww.com.  There are a huge variety of the meal replacement bars, but the apple crisp and blueberry are probably my favorite.  The protein bars I recommend the lemon or chocolate and the energy bars any of them.  Go to the web address and click on health. These things are great for any meal especially on the go.  They are easy to store and transport.  Also good for working out!  I would also recommend the energy drinks to pep you up in class.  They are an awesome boost of energy from things like vitamins!!!  Also no sugar or carbs.