Portable healthy lunch ideas that don't require refrigeration or a microwave

[purplehorseshoe]

@RTFirefly

Shelf-stable milk sold in juice-box-style containers is available online and probably at health food stores. You might want to refrigerate it before opening just because most of us are used to drinking milk when it’s cold rather than at room temp, but it’s perfectly safe to drink at room temperature.

I bought some chocolate-flavored ultra pasteurized milk at Kroger - it was right next to the juice boxes. No need to go online just yet!

MsChilePepper, your story made me smile … and I’d like to take this moment to make a PSA to please not refrigerate tomatoes. (At least, not when they’re whole.) Turns 'em to mush.

That said, the woman in question is no doubt a heathen barbarian anyway, to be acting so crudely in a workspace, so let her eat mushy tomatoes!

[lindsaybluth]

@MsChilePepper

Lindsay, I never put anything on my apple slices. Just seal them in an airtight container. Oxidation is what causes the browning, but even if it happens a bit, the apple is still edible. Just close your eyes and eat it.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Browning apples is a no-no, just can’t do it. It’s likely a lifetime of resistance from my gastroenterologist father who used to roll his eyes and say “it all turns brown in your stomach anyways” in reference to any smidge of brown lettuce, apple, etc on my plate.

I managed to find really small apples at the store (usually I buy large ones and the SO and I split it) and have been eating 'em whole.

@tilde

If you start making a habit of individual condiments, you might want to talk to someone you know at a restaurant about buying some of their stock - or just go all out to a warehouse-style store and buy a case. It’s a lot of mayo/katsup/mustard but if you split with friends, you can all get outfitted for a year for about 10 bucks. <snip>
You might have to go to a couple of larger grocery stores who cater to canners, but some Fruit Fresh works great. Sprinkle it on the board and apples after cutting, flip the uncovered side onto the powder on the board, slide apples into a baggie.

I really won’t be making a habit of it; as soon as I’m back to normalcy I’ll be taking leftovers and the occasional frozen entree and frozen fruit bar again. Panera actually had some real mayo packets (most I’ve found are soybean oil, yech) that seemingly nobody touches by the drink fountain, so that was a bonus.

@elbows

You needn’t give up salad. Here’s how you keep salad fresh for days, in your fridge, in a bag, in your car, doesn’t matter. Put your salad in whatever container you want to transport it in, or eat it from. Now cover it over with a piece of damp paper towel, cover all of it over with saran. Now, you can put it in your cooler or not, just a bag will do, keep it in your car all afternoon, and it will be beautiful, fresh and crisp, whenever you decide to eat it. You can keep salad, in your fridge, for two days, this way, fresh and crisp. Just keep the dressing on the side until you want to eat, easy peasy.

Huh. I’ve definitely done the damp paper towel in the fridge before, but never with saran over it. This’ll work even if it’s at roomish temperature for a few hours, still stay crisp? I’ll have to try it out later this week.

As for shelf stable milk, that’s not a bad idea at all. I do love me my milk (provided there’s a lactose pill in arm’s reach!) so a shelf stable container won’t be a bad idea. Makes nut butter sandwiches much more palatable. I know they have Organic Valley ones at Whole Foods.

You guys are seriously great. I hope this thread is helping more people than just little old me!

[norinew]

@RTFirefly

Shelf-stable milk sold in juice-box-style containers is available online and probably at health food stores. You might want to refrigerate it before opening just because most of us are used to drinking milk when it’s cold rather than at room temp, but it’s perfectly safe to drink at room temperature.

I’ve found these boxes of shelf-stable milk, just like juice boxes (as you describe) in just about every supermarket I’ve ever been in. AND, if you like milk, freeze the box of milk and use it as an ‘ice pack’ for your lunch; by lunch time, it’ll be pretty much thawed and drinkable, but in the meantime, will keep your other food nice and cold!

If you don’t like milk, freeze (mostly) full bottles of water, juice boxes, etc. and use them as your ice packs. Then, you keep your food cold, and have a nice cool drink at lunchtime!

[elbows]

This’ll work even if it’s at roomish temperature for a few hours, still stay crisp? I’ll have to try it out later this week.

You will not be disappointed, I promise. The saran is key, however, don’t overlook it!