Packing an Inexpensive, Convenient, and Diverse Work Lunch

Preparing your own lunch for work can save you money while also allowing you to eat healthier, more diverse foods. The key is planning ahead and keeping convenience in mind. Follow these tips for assembling easy, affordable, and varied midday meals.

Focus on leftovers. Look at what you cooked for dinner the previous few nights and see what could be repurposed. Last night's roasted chicken or grilled salmon makes excellent lunch fare. Simply pair it with some greens, wheat crackers, sliced fruit or veggies, and a dollop of cottage cheese or yogurt. Leftover rice, quinoa, pasta, or potato dishes also work well.

Do meal prep. One day a week, spend an hour or two cooking recipes that provide multiple servings. Roast a whole chicken or tray of vegetables, make a pot of chili or vegetable soup, or cook up a batch of hardy greens like kale or spinach. Portion these out into individual containers so they're ready to grab and go in the mornings.

Stock up on versatile ingredients. Keep your pantry, fridge, and freezer filled with quick-cooking items that can be mixed and matched into lunches. Good staples include canned tuna or salmon, whole grain pasta or couscous, precooked quinoa or brown rice, canned or dried beans, nuts, seeds, hard-boiled eggs, sliced deli meats, shredded or crumbled cheese, and whole grain breads, pitas, or wraps.

Build balanced lunch boxes. Each morning, construct your lunch using elements from different food groups. For example, pair leftover salmon with a tossed green salad, fruit salad, whole grain crackers or half a sandwich, and Greek yogurt. Or fill a wrap with turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado, bean sprouts, feta and hummus. Mix and match based on what you have on hand.

Take advantage of one-dish meals. Some of the easiest lunches require minimal assembly because they're already complete, self-contained dishes. Think items like bean and veggie burritos, quinoa salad with chickpeas and feta, vegetarian chili in a thermos, or pasta salad with olives, artichoke hearts, tomatoes and balsamic dressing. Soups and stews also make incredibly simple meals to pack.

Follow these tips and you'll never be stuck eating a sad desk lunch again. A little strategizing goes a long ways when it comes to creating fast, cheap, nutritious workday meals from home.