Meal prep
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use a wide-mouth thermos to keep hot foods like burritos warm without a microwave.
It keeps food piping hot by lunchtime.
- Pre-warming the thermos with hot water helps.
3 people, independently
Make a batch of breakfast burritos, wrap them individually, and freeze them for quick morning reheating.
They are cheaper than store-bought options, taste good, and prevent spoilage before consumption.
6 people, independently
Make one blenderful of a pep-up recipe to last four mornings.
You are good until lunch.
one person who lived it
Prepare a large pot of oatmeal to eat throughout the week.
It is a cheap breakfast option.
- It may taste bad after a few days.
one person who lived it
Prep homemade lunch boxes on Sunday night using cut-up lunch meat, cheese, crackers, dried fruit, and a treat in a reusable container.
It is cheaper than store-bought options and avoids processed ingredients.
one person who lived it
Cook large batches of food to eat over two to three days, which helps prevent ordering takeout by having meals ready.
Having something ready stops the impulse to order takeout.
one person who lived it
Marinate raw chicken in mayonnaise, herbs, and spices for 24 hours, then bake it to create tender leftovers that last for a week.
The method produces ridiculously tender meat.
one person who lived it
Cook larger batches of meals using large pots and freeze portions for later reheating.
Using larger pots is more cost-effective.
2 people, independently
Focus on high-fiber foods like fruit, granola, and nuts to stay full longer.
High-fiber foods help maintain satiety for a longer period.
one person who lived it
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Blend frozen bananas with unsweetened cocoa powder and milk to make a thick, filling, low-fat milkshake.
It is very filling and low-fat.
one person who lived it
Use cheap cheese for nachos since kids do not care about quality.
Kids don't care.
one person who lived it
Use a large pot on the stove to pop corn instead of buying an air popper.
It requires no financial investment and is easy to do.
one person who lived it
Mix stone-ground mustard with jam, such as apricot or pineapple marmalade, to use as a sandwich spread.
It provides a change of pace and makes a nice spread.
one person who lived it
If you work outside the home, try limiting restaurant or takeout lunches to Fridays only.
One person found this a good compromise for budget and social needs.
one person who lived it
Build a sandwich with an everything bagel, cheese, dijon mustard, turkey, red onion, and spinach.
One source claims this makes a sandwich better than fast-food options in five minutes.
one person who lived it
Make energy bars using prunes, agave, and Kamut flakes as a cheaper alternative to store-bought brands.
They are tons cheaper.
one person who lived it
Blend milk, no-fat no-sugar strawberry yogurt, a frozen banana, two frozen strawberries, peanut butter powder, and greens powder for a quick morning smoothie.
It takes maybe a minute.
one person who lived it
Peel and slice bananas, freeze them, then blend the frozen slices with optional add-ins like peanut butter to make banana ice cream.
It is cheaper.
one person who lived it
Make and freeze batches of soups and stews on weekends to accumulate an assortment for thoughtless lunches.
Lunch becomes almost thoughtless.
one person who lived it
Pack sandwiches or wraps for lunch because they are cheap, portable, do not require reheating, and allow for variety.
They are cheap, can last cooled in a lunchbox, can be premade, and allow for changing things up.
one person who lived it
Pack a portion for lunch immediately after plating dinner.
It helps with portion control.
one person who lived it
Eat a combination of cheese, dried fruit, chocolate, chips, and gummies for a filling lunch that provides energy.
It is somehow filling and gives plenty of energy.
- The plastic packaging is wasteful.
one person who lived it
Freeze leftovers in individual portions to eat different meals throughout the week rather than repeating the same food.
- Mashed potatoes do not freeze well.
3 people, independently
Use glass or Pyrex containers instead of plastic.
It makes a huge difference.
one person who lived it
Buy a frozen Digiorno's pizza as a cost-effective alternative to delivery.
It provides a large hot pizza for around $6, compared to $25+ for delivery.
one person who lived it
Serve porridge with a dollop of peanut butter and sliced banana.
Peanut butter makes it thicker and keeps you filled up longer.
one person who lived it
Serve homemade breadsticks with various dips such as roasted red pepper, tzatziki, or sweet yogurt.
Dips are always popular.
one person who lived it
Look for specialty beef jerky at stores where it is priced the same as regular jerky.
You can access higher-quality or fancier options without paying extra.
one person who lived it
Make homemade kale chips as a tasty snack alternative.
They are described as very yummy.
one person who lived it
Add thinly sliced apples to popcorn for a sweet and salty texture contrast.
The combination of sweet and salty flavors with varying textures is enjoyable.
one person who lived it
Bake potatoes at home and bring toppings like cheese to add after microwaving the potato at work for a cheap, nourishing lunch.
cheap; nourishing
one person who lived it
Make wholegrain bread yourself.
It is inexpensive.
one person who lived it
Bring unmade sandwich fixings to avoid soggy sandwiches.
Made sandwiches get soggy.
one person who lived it
Prepare taco salads with ground turkey or beef, taco seasoning, crumbled taco shells, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheddar cheese, and salsa.
It is delicious, filling, and low in calories.
one person who lived it
Make pasta salad with Mediterranean-style mackerel, raw broccoli Waldorf salad, or focaccia with bean dip or hummus.
The mackerel option provides omega-3s and carbs.
one person who lived it
Make DIY Lunchables with turkey, cheese, crackers, and optional olives or banana peppers.
added flavor
one person who lived it
If you work from home, assemble snackable charcuterie lunches using deli ends and leftover fruit and vegetables to avoid eating a sad desk lunch.
one person who lived it