This is a quite surprising statistic given the fact that the food options at these places are generally not as healthy as something you can prepare
and bring from home. In addition to that, it is far more expensive to eat out on a daily basis than it would be to simply bring a lunch.
Let the numbers speak for themselves. An average fast food meal with drink and tax will cost around $9 and for a nice, sit down restaurant meal around $18 with drinks, tax, and tip. Therefore you have a range of about $9-$18 per day.
If you eat out five times a week, you are looking at $45-$90 just for your meal while you are at work for one week (not to mention if you buy other sodas and snacks from vending machines). When you multiply these numbers across the month, you are looking at $180-$360! Literally a monthly car payment or all your utility bills for the month right there.
By simply taking an extra moment to pack and bring a lunch with you to work, not only will you be eating in a more healthy manner, but you will be keeping more of that hard earned money in your wallet or purse.
Here are some tips to consider when you are preparing your lunch for work
1. Dinner Leftovers
This is the first thing you should consider for a lunch to have the following day. Reason being is that you are already cooking a meal for you and your family at night, therefore by just cooking a tad bit more, you will have leftovers that can be placed in a plastic travel container and put in the refrigerator. The following morning you simply take the travel container in your lunch bag/box, you will then be all set with your meal for lunch.
For instance, if you are grilling chicken along with rice and mixed vegetables, instead of making one cups of rice, make 1 1/2, instead of 6 pieces of chicken, cook 7. Just make sure when you are finished cooking and preparing your meal, you immediately put your lunch portion away just in case anyone is tempted to eat what's leftover in the cooking pans.
2. Frozen Meals Always On Hand
On the days that you do not prepare dinner, or if there just aren't any dinner leftovers whatsoever, having a healthy low calorie frozen meal could be your ticket to savings. Now before you think "Yuck" or "Boring, a frozen meal" you may be quite surprised at how far frozen meals have come over the past decade. If you have not had the opportunity to check out the variety of choices that are offered these days, take a moment to think of how these meals sound..
Salmon with Basil
Wild salmon, whole wheat orzo pasta, spinach & carrots in a basil sauce
210 calories
Ginger Garlic Stir Fry with Chicken
White meat chicken with snap peas, whole wheat pasta & ginger garlic sauce
280 Calories
Margherita Pizza-Wood Fire Style
Tomatoes, red onions, garlic, basil & reduced fat mozzerella cheese with an olive oil tomato sauce on a crispy thin crust.
300 calories
Beef Pot Roast
Beef pot roast with roasted potatoes, carrots, onions, green beans and celery in a savory gravy.
190 Calories
Glazed Turkey Tenderloins
Glazed Turkey Tenderloins with whipped sweet potatoes & dressing
270 Calories
Grilled Chicken Primavera
Grilled white meat chicken with asparagus, tomatoes & whole wheat pasta in a creamy garlic sauce.
220 Calories
... and there are literally 50+ more options and varieties you can choose from made by Lean Cuisine, Smart Starts, Healthy Choice, or Weight Watchers. You will easily be able to find meals that appeal to your taste buds and most are under 350 per serving! All for about $2 each... how can you beat that?
3. Quicky Meals At The Ready
If you do not have any dinner leftovers and have exhausted your supply of frozen healthy meals, your next option is to piece something together from what you have in your kitchen. Sandwiches and wraps are always quick and easy to make with a bag of fruit slices or carrot sticks and a bottle of water. Or a quick salad with some packaged chicken chunks or diced lunch meats is also healthy and nutritious. Having a meal such as this is easy to prepare and take with you so you are all set for the day and won't ever have to resort to eating fast food.
Gregory L. Gomez, M. Ed, has been teaching 5th grade in the LAUSD
for 12 years and has recently embarked on a journey to lose weight.
Follow his progress on http://HealthyChoicesInLife.com
as he strives to lose 60 pounds through dedicated exercise and eating
healthy. Find the latest information to start getting into shape at http://healthychoicesinlife.com/programs
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