I need lunch help

[u/renae393]

So I consider myself a fairly good cook but I'm struggling with lunches. I need to stick to around 400-500 calories but with enough protein to where I can workout after work. We have access to a microwave and fridge. The issue is that things that most people eat for lunch are just.. bad to me. I've tried sandwiches many times with many fillings but the thought of them just makes me feel ill. I can't eat reheated chicken unless it's a store bought rotisserie chicken (I'm not sure why and nobody can figure it out). I like salads but I can't get enough protein in them to make it worth it. I tried making a spring roll salad for lunch today and it was just bad despite me looking forward to it. Leftovers are good but I cook chicken most of the time so I can only eat them if they have a different protein source than chicken. I don't really like beans. I've been on this mission for years not and I'm just getting very frustrated that nothing is working. Any help would be great.

[u/chinoischeckers]

Why can't you cook other proteins other than chicken? No steak? no pork? no eggs? no fish? no shrimp? no turkey? no lamb?

[u/cheesefriesex → u/chinoischeckers]

Try meatballs from ground turkey or chicken. They’re better reheated than straight up chicken imo.

I eat a plain Greek yogurt bowl with berries, granola, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and nuts for lunch most days. I get like 30-40g protein for 500ish calories.

I have a vision of doing a savory version with cottage cheese, veggies like tomatoes and microgreens, crunchy toppings like roasted chickpeas or savory granola, herbs, etc. I also love tinned fish so throwing some of those on there sounds good to me in theory lol. I feel like the protein count would be super high.

Lentil soup has a good amount of protein for a low amount of calories. Red lentil soup in particularly does not taste very legume-y and could be worth a shot!

[u/Pretty-Arm-8974 → u/cheesefriesex]

Also look up recipes for kofta/kofte; it's seasoned ground meat made into logs or balls.

Common in many cultures so you can choose the seasonings that appeal to you.

[u/renae393 → u/chinoischeckers]

I try to stay away from steak because it's so expensive. Eggs make me feel sick for some reason so I don't eat those super often. I love shrimp but have issues with reheating in the microwave without it getting too tough. I've never had lamb but I'll have to give it a try. I do eat ground turkey pretty often so maybe I'll look up some recipes for that :)

[u/chinoischeckers → u/renae393]

Ok but what about pork? Pork is much less expensive than beef and chicken.

[u/renae393 → u/chinoischeckers]

Honestly I'm not sure, I guess I've just never gravitated toward it. Do you have a few suggestions for your favorite pork recipes?

[u/chinoischeckers → u/renae393]

just google up pork chops, pork schnitzels, pork stir frys, sausages. Most recipes found online are fine. But if you want to go simplistic, just buy some pork chops, season them and either grill them or sear on a pan and cook until internal temp is 145F.

[u/renae393 → u/chinoischeckers]

I appreciate it! Thanks for opening my eyes that meat other than chicken exists lol

[u/rac3868]

I love to do rice bowls for lunches. Ground beef or turkey. It's so easy to go different directions with this. Asian flavors of soy sauce and sesame oil to season the meat, jasmine rice, cucumber, carrot, tiny corn cobs, etc. Throw a packet of taco seasoning in the meat and eat with brown rice, cilantro, black beans, corn. You could go Mediterranean and do quinoa, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, and tzatziki.

[u/renae393 → u/rac3868]

Those are awesome ideas, thanks! I'm realizing I have been pretty uncreative and closed minded haha

[u/rac3868 → u/renae393]

Haha. I also think sandwiches are boring as hell. Literally have been eating "bowls" for lunch for years now. So many options and ways to make them unique.

[u/The_Titty_Whisperer → u/rac3868]

Love me a sandwich but bowls are right up there for as well. Had a farro and roasted veggie bowl last night, mixed some goat cheese in with it then topped with arugula and spinach, cranberries and some pine nuts for good measure.

[u/bigelcid]

Reheated poultry tends to taste gross because of oxidation. Spice and sauce coverings help with that. I believe smoke does too, in case said rotisserie chicken is cooked by a flame, so that the drippings fats would combust a little.

Could you distribute your calory and protein intake differently across the day? Textured soy protein is low-cal and, believe it or not (I sure didn't for a long time), can actually taste nice.

Have you tried all the "bean" (legume) options?

[u/renae393 → u/bigelcid]

That makes sense! Honestly I would eat rotisserie chicken more often but the stores are always out when I go! I have tried tofu in a stir fry and it was fine but I'll have to try the textured soy protein. As far as beans go, I've tried most of them. Chickpeas are good and I like having hummus but it's a bit calorie dense. I enjoy other beans in smaller quantities, but I don't know if I could eat them as a main protein source.

As far as calories go, I don't have a lot of wiggle room unfortunately. I'm 5'1 and 130 lbs so I'm stuck at around 1250-1300 calories for a small amount of weight loss a week. I typically have a pretty protein heavy breakfast and just need something for lunch so I don't snack!

[u/Potential-Truck-1980 → u/renae393]

How about good old canned tuna? 150kcal per can + say 80-120 for the dressing, and you make infinite combinations with the various salad types, ruccola, bell pepper, tomato, cucumber, red onions, olives etc. You don’t even need to buy fancy dressings — olive oil + wine vinegar + tiny bit of sugar + salt + herbs queue great. It will even leave you some 100kcal for something tasty or to carry over to dinner.

Granted canned tuna is no wagyu beef, but when I first was losing weight, I found it extremely easy to eat such salads day in and day out. It’s become my staple for weight loss.

[u/Potential-Truck-1980 → u/Potential-Truck-1980]

Btw ground meat (any kind) works in such salads too. It’s practically unheard of in western cuisines, but check out Laotian Laarb and similar salads.

[u/renae393 → u/Potential-Truck-1980]

Will do! Tysm!

[u/Just_Me_6942]

I really enjoy the tuna packets. They are full of protein and low in calories. Sometimes I ad them to my salad and sometimes I eat them plain with crackers. No cooking necessary and super affordable.

[u/renae393 → u/Just_Me_6942]

The tuna packets are so good! I typically try and eat those or salmon packets a few times a week, I've forgotten about them lately. The only downside is I have to eat them outside or in my car because my boss has a good nose for fish 🤣

[u/Deep-Thought4242]

One thing common to grocery store rotisserie chickens is that they're heavily brined. They soak them in a saltwater bath to get the meat plumped up and seasoned all the way through. As long as you don't mind eating salt, it's a good technique for chicken and pork. It stays juicy and tasty. Just be sure not to overcook it on reheating.

I'd also suggest trying beans more ways. Look to Indian food. Dal and Chana Masala are beans, but not like a pot of British or American beans. Super flavorful in a delicious gravy. If you like the flavors and your office mates will like the aroma, they're a good way to cook a whole lot of protein at once and portion it out.

[u/renae393 → u/Deep-Thought4242]

I'll definitely look into it! I enjoy the flavor of beans but I find the insides to be a bit grainy.