Non-Refrigerated Lunch Ideas

Pack a lunch that doesn't need refrigeration.

Whether you're saving money or saving calories, you may be taking your lunch to work more often than before. While some people are lucky enough to have kitchen facilities in their workplace, many others have to rely on their basic work environment. While some traditional lunch staples such as mayonnaise on sandwiches are out of the question without refrigeration, you can still create a tasty and food-safe lunch that can sit on your desk until noon. Does this Spark an idea?

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Choose the Right Lunch Bag
- Brown paper bags may be traditional, but they don't do anything to protect your food until lunch time. Get an insulated lunch bag with a cool pack inside. Freeze the cool pack overnight and the frostiness will help keep your food cold. The insulation in the walls of the bag help prevent heat from getting in, further protecting your lunch. Buy individual plastic "ice cubes" and sprinkle them throughout the contents of your bag to chill it further.
Use a Thermos Jug
- There's a reason you see construction workers pouring coffee from a thermos all day long: they keep the liquid inside piping hot for hours. Invest in a smaller version designed for soups and chilies. Pack leftover stew, casseroles, pasta dishes or hot sandwich toppings like pulled pork in the thermos. Add crusty bread or rolls to complete your lunch.
Peanut Butter Basics
- You can indulge in the occasional peanut butter and jelly sandwich if you want to get nostalgic about your school days. After that, use peanut butter and other nut butters in a more adult way to add protein to your lunch. Add cranberries, bananas or other fruits to peanut butter on crusty whole wheat bread. Pack a small container of nut butter and use it as a dip for apple slices, celery sticks, pretzels and crackers.
Instant Lunch
- Instant food at your desk no longer means noodles in a cup. Stock up on meals that only need a small amount of hot water to activate a heater, or dried meals that cook in the microwave with water if you have an oven at work. Bring a thermos of boiling hot water along with your lunch to cook ramen noodles or other instant pasta dishes. Pack tuna salad in a can along with a variety of crackers and cheese for small sandwiches.
Vegetables and Fruit
- Add some variety to your menu by including different fruits and vegetables each day. Make a salad occasionally and include individual packets of salad dressing. Cut up slices of vegetables and pack some ranch dip. Bring whole fruits or cups of mixed pieces of fruit. Not only will the produce taste good, the additional foods will help fill you up without adding a lot of calories.