How to Bring Lunch to Work

Bringing lunch to work can be an easy task.

Bringing your own lunch into the workplace can not only save money, it can also be a good way to choose healthier foods to eat and to stay away from the unhealthy items that are sometimes found in vending machines, on lunch trucks or at fast food outlets. Taking food to the workplace is a very simple thing to do; all it requires is careful preparation of the food ahead of time and equal care during the transportation process.

Instructions

1. Prepare the food. Whatever the meal is, it has to be be cooked or prepped in some way prior to being taken to the workplace. During the preparation process, the food should be arranged in such as way that it won't be messy when eaten later. For example, if making a sandwich, don't add too many condiments, such as mayonnaise or ketchup, because they could drip from the sandwich and leak into the carrying container.

2. Pack the food in a container. The type of container should depend on the type of lunch. For example, warm food should be packed in an airtight plastic bowl with a lid in order to retain the warmth and flavor. Cold foods can also be packed in an airtight container, or wrapped in foil or plastic wrap. Room-temperature foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, can be loosely carried in a non-airtight container, such as a paper bag. Liquids should always be in a spill-proof container.

3. Bring the food to the work site. When transporting the food during a trip that takes more than just a few minutes, use care. Treat the container gently, and check it periodically to make sure that none of the contents spills inside or outside the container. If a spill does happen, clean it up and salvage the portion of the food that's undamaged, if any.

4. Store the food in a safe, cool place. A refrigerator is the ideal location, but if one isn't available, then other potential locations include in a desk drawer, if working in an office; or in the shade, if working outdoors. Another possibility is leaving it in your vehicle if the weather isn't too hot or if it's in a covered area like a parking garage.

References

• Fabulously Broke: Bringing Lunch to Work