How to Make a Sack Lunch for an Adult

Packing lunches for an adult IS cheaper, but if it's not done right, the lunch-eater will become disinterested and would probably end up spending money on lunch anyway. Here are some ways to liven up those sack lunches, both inside and out.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

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   **A sack lunch doesn't come in a sack anymore**
   
   The old fashioned brown paper bags are probably used more for art projects than lunches these days. There are many alternatives including insulated bags and plastic coolers that have many benefits: food stays cold and doesn't fall out, much larger volume, and they don't look quite as pitiful as old paper bags!
   
   A good lunch "cooler" will cost around $10-$30. When picking one out, be sure to choose one that the lunch eater wouldn't be embarassed to carry and one that is functional for his/her lunchtime situation

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   **Beverage**
   
   A reusable bottle is a good way to add a variety of different beverages to your sack lunch (oh what the heck, we'll keep calling it that) during the week. Make drinks at home such as lemonade, juice or iced tea, and fill the bottle with something different each day. Soda cans are also easy to transport and can be cheap when bought in bulk, but be sure to get a couple different kinds to avoid boredom.

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   **The staple**
   
   For most people, a sandwich is the basic component of a sack lunch. That doesn't mean it has to be boring! Try using different kinds of bread like whole wheat, rye or foccacia. Bring plain meat & cheese to life with some colorful veggies like sprouts, purple cabbage, or cucumber. Make a mouth-watering tuna salad, chicken salad, or egg salad. Or try putting all your ingredients together in a tortilla wrap instead between slices of bread. And don't forget to include a good ole PB&J now and then...everyone likes comfort food!

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   **Side item – carbohydrate**
   
   Many people like to have some kind of carb at lunch time to keep them going during the day. Chips and crackers are by far the most common, but have no fear - this allows you hundreds of possible options! Buy variety packs or buy a couple of different kinds and mix things up during the week. Adding salsa, dip, or cheese slices to the sack lunch provides even more ways to enjoy this side item.

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   **Side item – fruit or veggie**
   
   If the person you’re packing a sack lunch for proclaims that he/she doesn’t like “health food,” then make your fruits and veggies seem like anything BUT health food with a few simple add-ons. Combine yogurt and cinnamon with chopped fruit to make a sweet fruit salad. Dip berries in dark chocolate or smother banana slices with peanut butter. Include ranch dip with sliced carrots, cucumbers, celery or broccoli. Make a quick and easy vegetable salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red peppers and Italian dressing. There are lots of ways to make fruits and veggies edible, even for people who think they’re not.

6. **Leftovers**
   
   If the sack lunch eater has access to a microwave, keep the leftovers COLD in the cooler. If not, heat the leftovers to a temperature that's hot enough to keep them HOT (above 165 degrees until eaten), and store them in a thermos or other container that's equipped for hot foods.

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   **Dessert**
   
   For those who can’t eat a meal without dessert, not adding something sweet could ruin the entire meal. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be a face-sized cookie or an arm-length maple bar every time. In fact, the fruit salad or chocolate berries listed above could even be considered dessert. But if that’s not enough, try things like fruit leather, mini cookies, a single cup cake, or a pudding cup. These will all make for good endings to a sack lunch without overloading the lunch eater with excessive sugar.

Tips & Warnings

• Have the lunch eater go shopping for sack lunch items with you. If he/she picks it out, he/she will be more likely to enjoy eating it!
• Save aluminum cans to recycle later.
• If the sandwich doesn't provide much protein, try adding nuts, seeds, or cheese slices to the meal.
• Buy in bulk to save tons of money!
• When making a salad-sandwich such as tuna, chicken, or egg salad, put the bread in an airtight plastic bag and put the salad in a plastic container. Have the lunch eater spread it on him/herself to avoid a soggy sandwich.
• If you choose to put leftovers in a sack lunch, don't do it every time or the lunch eater will really miss the fresh items.

[Psalmist4M]

on 6/2/2009 Great points and tips. Balance is most important to be consistent. Love this article. 5*s

[kittykat3]

on 4/25/2009 Also recommended.

[kittykat3]

on 4/25/2009 Excellent tips on how to make a sack lunch for an adult. 5* and recommended.

[Elander]

on 4/21/2009 Good tips for adult sack lunches. I usually keep to the basics, but this would definitely make it more interesting.

[sonni57]

on 4/20/2009 Thanks for the good info on how to make a sack lunch.