Lunch Time Reform

I am relatively new in the working world. The full-time adult working world I should really say. I've had a job since I was 15, but had also been in school. I finished grad school this past summer and I am now working full-time and it is different. The benefits are that I do have a more defined schedule. When in school I could have a class that started at 9am and another one at 6pm. Now I generally work 9-5 and I am attempting to sort out my life on a solid schedule.

Unfortunately for me, I've always been a night person vs. a morning person. So staying up late to finish papers and read all my course work became my habit and with that a lack of sleep. I don't prepare for the next morning as I should. I am always too tired by the time I remember at night and too rushed in the morning.  This led to skipping meals or paying for something on-the-go that is not so healthy. When I would return home from school I'd be "starving" and I would eat everything!

Since starting my life in the "real world" I have tried to make those adjustments. I grab something, usually a granola bar for breakfast, and I make sure that I have snacks (low point ones) in my bag to avoid the "ravenous" feelings. I feel like I am being better with that. It does finally feel like a habit to throw those items in my bag on the way out in the morning.

Now to the new challenge: Lunch

So for the busy working person, what are some good lunch options?

Well, lately I have really enjoyed the Weight Watcher's SmartOnes meals. They vary in point values, but lunch can easily be under 10 points, fast, filling, and I think they taste good.

Also, we've been buying Healthy Choice meals also and all the ones I have tried I have really enjoyed so far.  Like the other meals, their points values vary, but I haven't had any over 8 points, but I do not know what range they actually have.

Now that it is winter (at least here it is cold!) soups are great options to warm you from the cold. Progresso's soups are 4 points for the whole can. they have many varieties, but I still like the nice traditional chicken noodle. Yesterday I had it for lunch and was very satisfied!

Do you have a favorite healthy lunch?

I should note that I am not the most adventurous eater and I tend to like food that is more plain. Yes, I am one of those annoying picky eaters. In recent years though, I have been trying to branch out and try more new things. I am a creature of habit though (obviously of bad habits) and I could eat the same thing every day and not get bored.

Now I am forcing myself out of my comfort zone, like today. I am actually very happy and proud of myself. I did not have the chance to go to the grocery store last night and knowing I did not have anything to pack for lunch I thought of reasonable alternatives. I knew my conference call was going to run long today and I was going to be short on time. Well there is a Subway right down the street from my office. So, I looked up the point values (using the nutritional information) for the subs and made my own, put it in my tracker, and did not deviate from the list I made when I went there to get my sub.

Here is what I got:

6'' trukey Sub on 9 grain wheat bread, with lettuce, cucumbers, pickles and light Italian dressing (remember I am just starting to combine more foods and get over my picky self). With my sandwich I added some Veggie Straws (a new snack favorite, 34 straws in a bag). I like chips with subs and I feel less deprived when I have something crunchy. So the total points for the whole lunch = 10 points (7 for sandwich, 3 for Veggie Straws). 

Not bad at all! I really enjoyed my sandwich. I didn't feel deprived or unsatisfied.

Now, let's compare to my old typical Subway order:

12'' oven roasted chicken breast on 9 grain wheat bread, with american cheese, lettuce, and ranch dressing. Doesn't sound too terrible, right? Well, of course I would add a bag of baked lays chips and a 20 oz. Died Coke. The total points = 27 points! (the bag of baked lays included is only 3 points like the veggie straws, but for that same amount of points you only get 11 chips vs. 34 veggie straws). 

Talk about tackling lunch! I enjoyed the 10 point lunch as much as the 27 point lunch and saved myself 17 points and money!

On the Weight Watcher's program the lowest amount of daily points for a weight range is 26. My old lunch at Subway was more points than some people are allowed to eat in an entire day! A very eye opening day for me!

My new lunch of 10 points may even be high for some, but not at my current point levels. I understand talking about all the points can be confusing to non-weight watchers so I will make another post explaining how they work and why I like it shortly.

Until then, happy losing!

<3 ktj