Easy meals for work

[Oceanblues1]

Hi all, I'm new and I've been struggling to maintain a healthy diet at my new job. If anyone has any advice for making healthy and filling Gluten-free meals for the week please let me know. I have celiac and am not the best cook. I'm always hungry by the afternoon and grab-and-go options aren't the healthiest or the most gluten friendly. Plus I get to about halfway through the week and I'm so bored of the food I've made it's almost a chore to eat it. I appreciate any advice!

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Hi Oceanblues1 ,

Do you like tuna? If you have gluten free bread/crackers, you can have them together as sandwiches or spread/dip. Another idea is cheese and crackers.

[Oceanblues1 in reply to Activity2004]

Hi, thank you. Yes I do. That is a good idea to take as a healthy snack.

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to Oceanblues1]

You’re welcome about the snack idea. Do you like salad? You can do salad with dressing and any protein (salmon, tuna, egg, chicken, etc.). I usually add tuna/salmon and nuts with cheese/Parm. crisps and vegetarian bac’n pieces with gluten free French onions as a crouton replacement. I also have black and green olives, too.

[Oceanblues1 in reply to Activity2004]

Hi, thank you again. Maybe I'm not making them right but I never find salads filling enough, is it because of the portion size and I guess I don't really add much variety? How do you keep it from getting soggy?

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to Oceanblues1]

You can have a side salad with a main dish or a big salad. Add the dressing as soon as you are about to eat. If you buy bagged salad, put a paper towel in the bag so that the lettuce doesn’t go bad/soggy too fast during the week.

What do you usually add to your salad?

[Oceanblues1 in reply to Activity2004]

That is a good idea, I do find that being the only person eating the salad it goes soggy fast and I end up just having to throw it out. I will try the paper towel. Normally I add chicken, dressing, cheese, bell peppers, cucumber, and onions. But for the most part it's on the side of chicken and potatoes or something like that.

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to Oceanblues1]

Would you like to add the chicken to the salad and see if that helps with fullness and more protein?

You’re welcome for the paper towel suggestion. We do this every time.

[Oceanblues1 in reply to Activity2004]

I will definitely try that. I appreciate the advice!

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to Oceanblues1]

You’re welcome. We’d like to see pictures of your meals when you are ready anytime.😀👍

[Nothing_but_books]

Rice salad is nice, and easy if you use frozen rice. I like it tossed with mango, green onion, and diced chicken, maybe some pecans. A drizzle of lime juice is all it needs. You can make a bowlful and it lasts a few days.

Chop in some Thai basil and chillies if you like. Substitute peanuts.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Nothing_but_books]

This sounds very appetising, maybe flaked almonds or cashews would work too. I’m looking forward to trying it.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Cashews for sure! Yum.

[Cooper27 Administrator]

I'm lucky to have access to a microwave at work, so I tend to make lots of soups, stir fry, casseroles. Soups are great,because you can freeze portions, so you could always aim to cook 5, freeze 2, eat 3 and pull the other two out at a later date, when you're bored of lunch again.

I also find falafel freezes well, so I get a large tub and freeze some, to defrost when I need something last minute. Usually serve with rice.

Rice cakes with tuna mayo are very filling, as are baked potatoes.

And there's also the joy of leftovers, I very often eat something leftover from the night before to break the week up a bit.