Day in the Life: Work Food

[One of the occasional series of posts about my typical day.]

I’ve debated whether to include the typical sort of food I eat or not.  As it happens, I am.  But you don’t have to read it if you don’t want to :)

Mostly I pack a lunch and snacks when I head out in the morning.  I alternate between:

• Leftovers
• Sandwiches
• Microwavable frozen food
• Going out for lunch

…which I supplement with fresh fruit and some veggies, plus whatever’s in my desk.  Yes,  I tend to keep some food at work. Right now in my desk there’s:

• An apple
• Bag of beef jerky
• Can of cashews
• Can of chicken soup
• 3 Luna bars
• Jar of peanut butter
• Jar of Dove chocolates

+ 1 beef enchilada TV dinner in the freezer.
+ leftover chicken enchilada & rice in the fridge.

Why so many choices?  Simply put, I often find “non-breakfast” food to be completely unappetizing at the time I’m making my lunch.   Yes, if I’m taking in leftovers, they’re packaged the night before – but I may not find them appetizing the next day, either.  For years I was one of those people who would eat out every day. This was bolstered by having a dozen subsidized company cafeterias within walking distance.

Later I had no cafeteria, but was working in a neighborhood with two grocery stores & a dozen restaurants serving lunches ranging from $5 to $25, all within 5 blocks.

Now I work at a smallish company.  No subsidized cafeteria.  We’re  located in a suburban office park; there’s about 5 food vendors within walking distance, with lunch options ranging from $9 to $25.  I don’t dislike them, but every day is boring and expensive.

My solution is:

1. Have some lunch options at work,
2. Take a lunch with me most days…
3. …that will keep in the fridge if end up not eating it.

I don’t claim it’s perfect or unique, but it works for me, which is the point.  :)  So far this week, lunches have been:

• Ham and mustard-seed Gouda sandwich on whole wheat with mayo, an apple, and a piece of celery with peanut butter
• Green Giant combo of sugar snap peas, black beans, soy beans, & carrots with toast, piece of chocolate
• A chicken enchilada with rice & salad

Afternoon snacks have included:

• PB&J, an apple, and a piece of chocolate
• Celery with peanut butter & a plum
• A brownie & a banana

Sometimes I will have a piece of fruit in the morning, too – all depends on how I’m feeling.  One advantage of this method is that I can tailor things to how I’m feeling.  :)   I do make a conscious effort to eat the fruit, sandwiches, and leftovers I bring in within a few days because they don’t keep well.  The other stuff may sit for weeks before I eat it!

(The chocolate is also shared with  my boss those who work for me.  In fact they sometimes replenish it.  ;)