Lunch ideas have been a pain in my butt for most of my life. Thankfully I think I finally have it figured out!
Between my husband working in construction, two teenagers, and myself who works on the road/on sites/at home, we found a solution that makes us all happy.
WE HAVE A LUNCH FRIDGE!
We purchased a used mini fridge off of the Facebook marketplace and it has been a game changer for us. Now, instead of having to schedule when people could make their lunches at night or in the morning, they just grab and go.
On Sundays and Wednesday’s, I meal prep:
- Sandwiches (Keiser roll with butter, cheese slice, deli meat)
- Wraps (shredded chicken and cheese wrapped in a tortilla)
- Salads (I buy a couple of pre-made ones from the grocery store as they store better)
Every Sunday I fill the fridge up with:
- Fruits
- Pepperoni and cheese packages
- Cows cheese,
- Gatorade
- Energy drinks
- Cheese and nut combos
- yogurts
Anything they’ve requested. Leftovers usually end up in the lunch fridge as well.
Once a month I shop at Costco (read about that here!) so I purchase a ton of our work/school snacks in bulk. To ensure they’re not eaten up all at once, I store them downstairs.
I have 4 bins I keep in our cupboard and I fill them up with Costco treats once a week:
- Made Good Granola Mini’s
- Fruit snacks
- Individual Trail Mix
- Protein Bars
- Nutrigrain Bars
- Natures Bakery Fig Bars
- Granola Bars
- Apple Crisps
- Individual Skinny Popcorn Bags
- Individual Chip Bags
I keep this menu board on our normal fridge to let everyone know what we’re having for dinner. It has a shopping list on it and everyone knows to write down any lunch ideas they would like me to purchase for them to try. I strongly recommend changing things up regularly.
Easy Lunch ideas:
My husband tends to eat healthier. He usually packs 2 chicken and cheese wraps, a nature’s bakery fig bar, and some skinny popcorn.
My daughter loves salads in the warmer months. She usually pairs them with a protein bar, and a cheese and nut combo. In the winter she likes her food warm so she’ll usually pack soup or leftovers in a thermos.
In the summer when my son works with us he usually takes 2 sandwiches, pepperoni and cheese sticks, fruit, a granola bar, fruit snacks, and more. The rest of the year, when he goes to school he usually brings a sandwich and buys a full lunch at the cafeteria.
When I’m on job sites I usually have a sandwich or a wrap, fruit, and a granola bar. If I’m at home I’ll usually have leftovers.
For hot lunch ideas when you work in cold elements, click here for some pretty good ideas.
What are your easy lunch ideas for adults and teens? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comment section!
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