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It's easy to see why bringing your own lunch is a good idea. Eating out is hard on the health and the pocketbook. But finding the time and inspiration to make a healthy, interesting lunch day after day can be difficult. The secret is in thinking ahead, and in thinking outside the box. Here are a few ideas to start off with.

-Variations on a Sandwich-

Ah, PB& J, the old standby. It's easy to make, but gets boring after a few days. What about peanut butter and honey, or banana, or strawberries? Try it on raisin bread, or a bagel. Consider replacing the peanut butter with almond butter, or another nut spread.

For lunchmeat sandwiches, try a new kind of cheese, or experiment with different kinds of mustard. Multigrain, rye, and sourdough breads add more flavor. Instead of plain old lettuce, try sprouts, cucumbers, avocado, or thinly sliced carrots for crunch.

Or you could forget the bread entirely- a good choice for carb watchers. Tortilla wraps pack well, and are easy to eat. Grilled chicken or vegetables, marinated tofu, or traditional burrito fillings make for great wraps.

-Salads-

A substantial salad can be a lunch all by itself. Many grocery stores even sell pre-tossed salad mixes, and these make packing lunch a snap.

Green salads stay fresher if you pack all the components separately, but at least keep the dressing in a separate container. Many of us choose salad for its health virtues- if so, be sure that the toppings you choose don't cancel out those benefits. Low fat meats, dried fruits and nuts, or chopped raw or grilled veggies can be combined in all sorts of ways to make tasty salads. Cheese is a yummy addition, but don't overdo it if you're watching the calories. Dressing is where a lot of the fat and salt sneaks in, so be sure to check the label carefully.

Grain salads or pasta salads are easy to make and store, and often feel more satisfying than a green salad. One combination you might enjoy is brown rice with black beans and corn, topped with salsa. Or try tabouli, a flavorful salad made with cracked wheat.

-Hot Lunches-

A hot lunch is wonderful, especially on a winter day. Even if a microwave isn't available, some foods can be kept warm in a thermos for several hours. This works best with soups and other foods that are somewhat liquid, such as chili, curry, or stew. Add a sandwich or just some good bread, and you have a lunch that rivals any restaurant.

With a microwave, you can bring practically any entree that can be packed in a container- stir-fried chicken with rice, lasagna, casserole, and more. This is where thinking ahead comes in. When making dinners, make a bit extra, and freeze it in individual servings. That way, packing lunch is as easy as opening the freezer.

-Treats-

If your packed lunch isn't appealing, you might backslide into eating out again. A small treat is certainly better than that. Fresh or dried fruit satisfies sweet teeth without a lot of refined sugar. Granola bars are also tasty, but check the package- sometimes they have more junk in them than a real sweet. Oatmeal cookies are an old lunchbox favorite, and if they're made right, they're almost healthy. "Laurel's Kitchen" has a great oatmeal cookie recipe; take a look at Google Books.

-Food Safety-

Any food left at room temperature for more than a couple of hours is a risk for food-borne illnesses, but particularly meat or dairy products. If possible, keep your lunch in a refrigerator. If that isn't possible, consider purchasing a lunch-sized cooler and keeping it cool with an ice pack.

Lunch is just as important as breakfast or dinner, and can be just as tasty, too. Experiment, plan ahead, and enjoy your lunch break!

Learn more about this author, Muriah Summer.
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