Hi

After a really unfortunate experience in a very upmarket cafe bar in Hamilton yesterday I am looking for good exciting ideas for pack lunches.

A friend and I went for brunch in so called fresh food bar only to find out that the salmon omelette's I ordered was pre-made. By this I mean made left to cook put in the fridge and pinged in the microwave. I was not happy at all and I would not have known had I not gone out to the kitchen. While I know a lot of people would find nothing wrong with this after the op I want to eat the best produce I can cook fresh not something which has been re-heated from I do not know when.

I am looking for different ideas not all salad and bread.

I am sure a great many of us ar always looking for new ideas.



Susan 23 months post op

Alex 11 months post op.

I am a big leftovers eater when it comes to lunch. I try to make sure whatever I have for dinners leaves enough for me to pack up lunch for the next day. A lean fresh peice of whatever protein we had and some nice veggies and I am set.

I like thin sliced deli meats with a little low fat cheese. My Lucille isn't letting me eat much more than that yet, but you could add some veggies.
Cottage cheese works well.
And...I'm thinking those meatloaf muffins Celedon just put a picture of in a post look like they would work wonderfully. I like cold meatloaf, so they would be good with me.
Protein bars or shakes are always an option.
I have a hard time with microwaved foods, so try to stay away from them if I bring lunch to work. I don't want to be sick all afternoon.

I make a shake for lunch, or bring a lean cuisine. I would pack leftovers, but after my wls, I can't eat any. I was told it is because of my pouch being oversensitive to the bacteria that begins on food as soon as it is refrigerated after being cooked.

On a good day, I can also swing some deli meat, as long as it is freshly sliced the same morning.

Stock some low carb wraps or tortillas and make wraps. The ideas are endless, any lean protein that you eat the night before sliced very thin or shredded with cheese and cucumbers or lettuce and tomatoes. Then a drizzle of your favorite dressing. Wrap them in plastic wrap and when you open them the next day for lunch, they keep their shape. Add a piece of fresh fruit and your lunch can be different every day.

Hi Susan,

I have found that my pouch is not that big a fan of reheated leftovers, so even though I try to plan to cook enough to have leftovers the next day, my stomach doesn't always want to play ball.

What I have found that I really enjoy and I know is readily available her in NZ (sorry to all the US readers here but that is our big problem down here... you give us heaps of ideas but most of it we have never heard of...) but hopefully here are some ideas:

Sealord Tuna Lite 85g tin - variety of flavours but for example Sundried Tomato & Basil
Energy 298 kj
Protein 13.6g
Fat - Total 0.6g
Saturated 0.2g
Trans less than 0.1g
Polyunsaturated 0.2g
Omega 3 0.1g
EPA 14mg
DHA 111mg
Monounsaturated 0.1g
Carbohydrate - total 2.6g
Sugars 2.6g
Sodium 416mg

Trident Tuna - 95g tin in Spring water
Energy 421 kj (101 cal)
Protein 24.3g
Fat - Total 0.2g
Saturated 64.6mg
Carbohydrate - total 0.5g
Sugars 0.5g
Sodium 252mg

Chop Chop Chicken - 85g tin Smoked Flavour
Energy 390 kj
Protein 17.9g
Fat - Total 1.9g
Saturated 0.5g
Carbohydrate - total 1.1g
Sugars 1.1g
Sodium 459mg

I like these tins for a number of reasons:

1. The size is nice and convenient and a perfect size for me so that I don't overeat. I can add a slice of cheese and a couple of cherry tomatoes and know that I am not going to overeat.
2. Most tins this size now have the tab top so you don't need a can opener to open them so they are perfect to take to work or leave in your bag for a snack or if you go out somewhere for tea but you are not sure if they will have something you can eat.
3. The nubmers stack up pretty well - see above so it is a simple way to make sure you are getting enough protein in your day
4. They taste pretty good as well and if you don't like them au natural, then you can easily dress them up.
5. You don't need to keep them in a fridge to keep them fresh so they travel well.

Hope that helps. I would love to see anyone elses suggestions though.

Thanks Paula

SUSAN!!!!! DARLING!!!!!


Finally there is someone in the neighbourhood that I have met in the flesh!! Woohoo!!!

When I saw your post in the Yahoo Group this morning I was going to suggest you have a look in here in the Recipe section. I was at work when I read that message so couldn't reply. I didn't know you were already a member, even longer than me. No doubt you've noticed me mention this FANTASIC website several times in the group for various reasons (I'm trying to get more Kiwi's in here Kaye ).

Anyway, as Paula has mentioned, I swear by the canned fish and chicken. I love the Chop Chop shredded chicken in mayonaisse, not so fussed on the others, and have always used the tin fish. I'm afraid I tend to have pretty much the same thing for lunch unless I'm having leftovers. Salada crackers (2 large), cream cheese, hummus, fish or chicken.

The other thing I have from time to time is smoked chicken. I picked up a smoked breast for less than $6 last week. Heck I got 2 while I was at it. One breast will last me about 4-5 lunches at there is absolultely no waste.

I have in the past also had wraps made with mountain bread. They're not as filling as other types of wraps.

Have you got the Neighbourhood recipe book? I have and find it a great inspiration. Obviously there are ingredients in there that I wouldn't have a clue what they are but sometimes if you google them you can find the equivalent. I can't wait for the new recipe book. I'm definately ordering it as soon as it's ready.

Hey! What are you doing next Monday (4th) morning? I'm coming up for my belated 6 month check up and I'd love a get together at about 11am. Sharn can't make it but maybe there are some others?

Good luck with your search for lunch ideas.

Lots of Love

Barbara

[

Hey! What are you doing next Monday (4th) morning? I'm coming up for my belated 6 month check up and I'd love a get together at about 11am. Sharn can't make it but maybe there are some others?

Good luck with your search for lunch ideas.

Lots of Love

Barbara
[/quote]

Hi Barbara

Yes I would love to meet up but we are moving over the week-end and on Monday morning Telecom are coming in to connect the telephone and Sky are coming to do the tv. If you email me or messenger me your mobile number I will ring you if they come and finish earlier.


Thanks for the ideas. The meal ideas are more for Alex than me.

Susan

There's lots of good suggestions here -- I would just add for what it's worth that I absoutely do not tolerate tortillas or flat bread at all! They make me so sick that I was surprised to see that others can eat them -- I put them in the same category as potato chips (yes, I've tried them in a weakness, and paid royally for the attempt!) Long live adversive therapy - isn't that what they call it?? I also have a terrible time w/most fruit -- I guess it's the sugar. A couple of tablespoons of blueberries is my limit, and maybe a slice or two of banana, but to be honest, I've given up on fruit and I'm a year out!

For lunch I'm like a lot of people -- leftovers, although I stay away from frozen dinners as most of them have some kind of carb in them, so I end up wasting most of it. I teach, so I'm lucky if I get 20 minutes for lunch, and that dictates a lot of what I can bring --- must chew, chew, chew, and pack less than I expect to be able to eat. I"m just ready with the protein shake as soon as my last class leaves, and I find that it works okay for me.

I think finding a lunch that works for you will just take some trial and error -- just watch portions and carb/sugar content! It's really embarrassing to have to go home b/c you throw up from not chewing/overeating, or dump b/c of sugar. I have made it a strict rule NOT to try anything new at lunch -- only the tried and true for me!!

Excellent ideas coming out here - thanks everyone!

I'm a big fan of the foil-packed tuna. My traveling cooler always has tuna packs, hard cooked eggs and string cheese with 1 bottle of frozen water and 1 bottle of water. Boring and easy, but it works for me!

I use an insulated tote bag that I fill with frozen water bottles that become usable to drink as they thaw out throughout the day. I pack a variety of things such as a reuable container of:

2.5 oz. of Sauteed Spicy Eggplant with 3 oz. of Cooked Shrimp or with a few ounces of Grilled Chicken

A fast food Salad without dressing or croutons along with grilled chicken, grilled beef or grilled shrimp. I found 1.5 oz. packets of Fat Free Dressing at my local WaWa Convenience Market (carry one with me in my purse so I can have the salad at any restaurant)

A can of Salmon Filet pureed with 2.5 Tbsp. Fat Free Ricotta and 2.5 Tbsp of Fat Free Cream Cheese (This is 3 Servings or Meals) spread on some Kashi Mediterranean Brushetta Crackers.

Tai Pei Brand General Tso's Chicken (it is made with splenda) I found it at a Supermarket Chain called Redners' Warehouse Market

I find a lot of nutritious meals at the local Pakistani Food Market, they have quite a selection in the freezer section and the canned goods. (If you like spicy). They are also extremely high in Vitamin A which we need for eyesight. They typically are about 10 oz. and I get 4 meals out of the frozen meals and about 2.5 servings from the canned goods.

Zucchini Pancake with a Frigo Light Cheese Stick

Carb Control Yogurt, Low Fat Cottage Cheese, S/F Jello, S/F Jello Puddings (All in portioned containers)

Lean Cuisine Meals (the ones without potatoes, rice or pasta)

Left over Stir Fry



Weight Watcher Smart One Meals (the ones without potatoes, rice or pasta)

Hormel Complets (Look for Turkey and Vegetable ... the potato you can pick out)

Protein Bars

Dry Empty Water Bottle with a serving of Protein Powder in it that you can add water or soy milk or skim milk to

Small hard boiled egg with a cheese stick

Soy Nuts

Chicken Breast Stuffed with low fat cheese and low sodium ham

Soy Crisps