[pearlieq]

Now that I work from home, I just hunt & peck through the fridge, but back in my office days it was a lot of leftovers, salads, and Lean Cuisines.

I really think Lean Cuisines are unsung heros. If one shops carefully, they can be had for $2 or less each. You do have to watch your sodium intake, but they're a quick, inexpensive, handy way to get a full hot meal at lunch. They have nearly 80 varieties, so it's easy to avoid boredom. Many have at least one serving of vegetables and their Spa Cuisine line has some nice flavors and whole grains. I love their peanut chicken!

What I would usually do is pack a Lean Cuisine, a yogurt cup, a piece of fruit, and a veggie. Those little 1/2 cup tupperware containers were perfect for carrying some frozen or fresh chopped veggies. When lunch time rolled around, I would open my Lean Cuisine, pour in the extra veggies, and heat it up as directed. That, with my yogurt and fruit, made a nice balanced lunch with lots of fiber and nutrients.

With that being said, I used to enjoy eating lunch out and would do it about twice a week. I found that to be a nice balance. I worked in downtown Chicago where there were lots of fun places to go. When I worked in the suburbs and your only choices were fast food or Chilis, it didn't have as much appeal.