Comments on: Restaurant options to save you money on lunch

By: EllieD

EllieD — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:01:11 +0000

@Diane: I, too, have a good appetite, and must watch both my sodium and fat intake. String cheese is mozzarella, which is made with skim milk, and is low in sodium. Ditto for the Laughing Cow cheeses, if you buy the ‘light’ ones. The latter cheeses were recommended by a cardiologist. The crackers now come in reduced sodium varieties, are low in sugars, and have good fiber content compared to other crackers. When you eat slowly, drink water with your lunch, and have fruit for dessert, it’s surprising how full you fill. I also include sliced tomatoes from my garden when they’re in season, which adds more bulk as well as nutrition. Hope that answers your concerns, which I totally understand.

By: Diane

Diane — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:02:59 +0000

My typical lunch at work is a frozen low-cal entree (Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice for example). There are quite a few varieties, so boredom isn’t a problem, and lately they have been on sale for under $2, even without coupons! With coupons, what a great double-play! We check the sodium content and don’t buy selections with an overload of that or calories. However, the quantity of food may be wanting, so I always have a plain water bagel, kept frozen at home, which I nuke at work. I really enjoy that as if it were a tasty dessert! Go figure! I buy the bagels by the dozen (and usually get two extra freebies) at a bagel store and freeze them, taking one out each day.

When I read EllieD’s first comment, I thought that wouldn’t work for me because I have a pretty good appetite (work out a lot), and that didn’t sound filling enough. Also, I don’t know how many calories are in the two types of cheese she mentioned and also wondered about the salt content in both the cheese(s) and the crackers.

By: EllieD

EllieD — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:08:50 +0000

Thanks, Yazmin. That’s ’cause I spent a lot of years having to watch expenses closely. As a teacher, married with 3 sons, costs can climb rapidly! And thanks to N. Davis for the kind compliment. I’ll try to remember to share more ideas in the future.
As for the Lincoln Lunches… If we all keep our eyes and ears open and come across any bargains like that, we can share with everyone… kind of like being stringers for BB!

By: Yazmin

Yazmin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:15:35 +0000

Oops… typo. Thanks ladies for catching the mistake. Glad to know you guys are closely reading the post.

By: Yazmin

Yazmin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:05:22 +0000

@EllieD You always have really great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.

By: bargainbabe

bargainbabe — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:08:10 +0000

@Margaret Those were the days! I loved hunting down “Lincoln Lunches” at the LA Daily News. Unfortunately, when I left the paper to work for myself that part of the job got cut. I’d love to revive the task.

By: N. Davis

N. Davis — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:06:11 +0000

EllieD, that sounds tasty! I’ll have to remember that idea when I go back to work and start brown bagging it again.

Yazmin, the frozen entree total for the week should be $25 ($5 x 5 days = $25). Sorry, but I can’t help but notice these things – I’m such a nerd!

By: Margaret Knuth

Margaret Knuth — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:54:15 +0000

I know a lady who used to hunt out “Lincoln” lunches. They were very adequate, good lunches for no more than $5.00.

Unfortunately, she stopped that activity.

By: susan

susan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:26:09 +0000

Frozen entrees: $5 X 5days per week = $25.

Brown bagging lunch gives me the most options… eat in the office, eat out at a park, eat at my desk or eat with a friend, It really isn’t too hard to plan ahead for a yummy lunch.

By: EllieD

EllieD — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:21:53 +0000

I eat meals out only occasionally, as that makes them seem more special, plus it saves money. During the summer when there are so many lucious fruits available, I like to prepare a couple that I can easily transport in a reusable container, along with string cheese or one of the Laughing Cow choices, and Wheat Thins or Triscuits, for a quick, easy, tasty nutritious lunch. Water from a reusable bottle, kept in the fridge with a squeeze of fresh lemon, completes the meal.

By: Aynn

Aynn — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:08:56 +0000

On the frozen meals, let’s go for $5 x 5 days = $25 (not $15). Just a thought.