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My morning routine is a bit extensive, but I always make time to get my lunch together — and by “get my lunch together” I mean toss the lunch I prepared the night before into my lunch bag and then, primarily, measure out and pack all of my snacks.
I am such a snacker. I’m happier when I’m eating snacks instead of meals, and snacks help me to get through the day without feeling cranky and hungry. So, I take snack-packing very seriously, especially because it makes up a lot of my lunch.
Plus, I hate buying lunch because I just cannot justify spending $15 on a salad in NYC. That being said, I’ve developed quite a few lunch packing hacks that keep me sane and keep my lunch from getting too boring.
Here are some handy tips for packing your lunch.
1. Pack and prep most of your lunch the night before.
I’m a morning person, but even I am grateful when I wake up and find my sandwich or well-packed leftovers waiting for me in the fridge. Typically, the night before, I assemble my sandwich or put my leftovers in a container and I set my lunch bag on the counter.
I’ve found that it’s easiest to do this as soon as you get home from work or before you put on your pajamas. It’s tough to find the motivation to arise from a cocoon of pajamas and blankets to make a sandwich.
2. Use reusable containers.
They save you money in the long run. Plus, they’re better for the environment. Yes, cleaning them is an extra step you’ll have to add to your nightly routine, but it’s certainly worth it.
Recently, I’ve been testing out these WeGreeco reusable snack bags and they’ve been great so far! They’re way cuter than classic plastic bags, plus they’re reusable. I use the small one to pack my snacks.
I also reuse a lot of containers, and I’ve found that splurging on sturdy, microwavable ones made with tight seals is certainly worth it. Flimsy containers can break, especially if you’re bringing your lunch on a commute and it might get jostled in your bag.
3. Try to incorporate healthier snacking options into your lunches.
As tempting as it is to snack on junk food throughout the day, I feel better when I choose snacks that are a bit on the healthier side. One of my favorite snack choices is Harvest Snaps veggie crisps. They’re crunchy, packed with flavor, and they make me feel good about snacking because they’re plant-based and a pretty good source of fiber. And they’re actually made from green peas, red lentils or black beans.
I typically buy them from Shop Rite or Stop n Shop’s produce section and pick up a few varieties. Caesar is my longtime favorite, but the brand just released the new White Cheddar and Parmesan Roasted Garlic flavors that are pretty tasty, too. They’re my go-to snack to pair with sandwiches because they quell my crunchy, salty cravings in a healthier way.
Plus, Harvest Snaps works with Kids 360, a non-profit that’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of children in need. (To learn more about Kids 360, visit www.kids360charity.com)The fact that the brand partners with good causes is just an added bonus.
4. Find new ways to switch up your favorite snacks and lunches.
When I was a kid, I would proclaim something was my favorite meal — and I would proceed to bring it for lunch every day for months. Then, I would get so sick of the food I wouldn’t want to eat it for at least another year or two.
So, to stop that habit from returning, I’ve made it a point to switch up my snack flavors and choices during the week. I still bring my favorite snacks but I switch up my flavors. Somedays I bring banana Greek yogurt, other days I bring blackberry.
And when it comes to Harvest Snaps, the easiest way to switch it up is by trying out the different flavors. Typically, I rotate between Caesar and White Cheddar.
This also applies to sandwiches. Changing up my condiments is one of my favorite ways to switch up my favorites. A salami sandwich is entirely different with olive spread and a turkey sandwich gets a new life with chili pepper pesto. I also like to change up which kind of bread or tortilla I make my sandwiches on— I switch up my sandwiches by making them with multigrain buns, wheat bread, and spinach tortillas.
5. Make big batches of your favorite dinners for tasty leftovers during the week.
I love leftovers. Sometimes I plan my dinners around what makes for the tastiest leftovers. Leftover chili is amazing and it can last me for days. I can say the same for beef stew.
So, when you’re whipping up your favorite meals, feel free to double (or triple) the recipes. Pack up some leftovers for lunches throughout the week, and freeze some for a day when you forget to prepare lunch.
6. Use an easy-to-recognize lunch bag or box.
When everyone’s got their lunches shoved in a communal fridge in the office, it can be tough to dig out your lunch, especially if it’s stored in a nondescript bag. Previously, I had been using a reusable, flimsy shopping bag that was slowly ripping and, frankly, getting kind of gross.
So, I finally ordered a Moosoo thermal lunch box from Amazon, and it’s great. The stripes make it easy for me to spot it in a crowded fridge. Plus…
7. Use a lunchbox that’s insulated.
My lunchbox is insulated, meaning my snacks and lunch stay cool during my hour-long commute. Hurray! It’s also super easy to clean because of the materials it’s made out of.
8. If you have a long commute, pack an extra snack for the commute.
Personally, I don’t have much of an appetite when I wake up at 6 a.m. So, I drink my coffee and pack a mini breakfast snack to enjoy on my way to work. This is typically cereal or apple slices since they’re easy to stomach in the morning.
Eating breakfast is important, so I try to pack a mini breakfast because I don’t feel like eating one when I wake up.
9. Organize your fridge and pantry to make packing lunches even easier.
I try to store my favorite grab-and-go refrigerated snacks in the front of my fridge. I also keep my prepared lunch in the same spot so I’m less likely to forget it. It can be handy to dedicated a small section of your fridge to go-to snacks and prepared lunches.
10. Keep emergency snacks and lunches at your desk.
Fortunately, my desk drawers are spacious. But, you won’t find much paperwork in there… my drawers are filled with snacks and “emergency lunches.”
Some great emergency lunches are cans of soup or microwaveable macaroni and cheese. They’re great for days you forget to pack lunch or don’t feel like buying any, especially during the winter months!
I also have a stash of chocolate and other snacks, just in case.
What are some of your favorite lunches to bring to work?
P.S. I got my Harvest Snaps from Shop Rite. They can be found in the produce section!
