# What do you eat for lunch, if not a sandwich? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158 "2015-07-14T17:51:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/1 "2015-07-14T17:51:00Z")
I’ve been eating sandwiches at lunchtime for _years_ now, and I’m looking to get into a new rut. Today my lunch was an apple + 2 tablespoons of peanut butter…good, but I don’t know if I’m feeling that new rut magic. Problem is, what the hell else is there to eat that’s cheap, convenient, healthy, and quick? If you don’t know either, that’s okay. I’d still be interested to hear what you usually eat for lunch. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/2 "2015-07-14T17:58:35Z")
Chili with crackers. Soup. Pizza. Lasagna. Hot dogs.\* Hamburgers.\* Baked potatoes with toppings.\*\* Blintzes with toppings.\*\* Grilled sausages.\*\* \*Sandwiches? \*\*European street food. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/3 "2015-07-14T18:00:46Z")
Teriyaki fish and chips pizza but usually sandwiches. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/4 "2015-07-14T18:02:06Z")
Each week I make up a batch of chili, jambalaya or chicken curry and freeze it in five Tupperware containers, so at any given time I have several weeks’ worth of lunches ready to microwave. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/5 "2015-07-14T18:04:03Z")
I do a lot of soups or chili, especially when the weather is cold. Frozen burritos are also a standby. Otherwise, I’ll do whatever leftovers I have on hand from last night’s dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/6 "2015-07-14T18:06:28Z")
I usually eat either salads or Smart Ones. Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines have really upped their game these days. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/7 "2015-07-14T18:06:46Z")
Burritos, mmmmmmmmm! :o ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/8 "2015-07-14T18:07:37Z")
About once a week or so, depending on the soup and/or special entree they’re having that day, I’ll get food from the work cafeteria. Otherwise, either a frozen Stouffer’s lasagna or a pack of ramen and a Pepsi from the trunk of my car (I buy cases of Shin Ramyun and Sapporo Ichiban Chicken ramen and keep them in my car). ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/9 "2015-07-14T18:08:21Z")
Salad bar. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/10 "2015-07-14T18:22:23Z")
Today, I had 2 ounces of whole-wheat pasta spirals with broccoli, asparagus, and carrots sauted with chopped garlic and olive oil, and topped with goat cheese. Delish! ETA: I cook all my lunches the night before, and make enough for two to three days. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/11 "2015-07-14T18:26:08Z")
Sliced Cantaloupe and grapes or a chef’s salad either makes a nice alternative lunch ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/12 "2015-07-14T18:33:13Z")
There is a free cafeteria at the client site where I work. The food is always pretty good and there are a few choices every day. It is easy to put on weight here. I normally eat a big green salad and a cup of the soup of the day with an iced tea. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but the house baked oatmeal cookies are divine, and this means I have to leave them be. ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/13 "2015-07-14T18:46:49Z")
With warmer weather, I’ve been enjoying salad mixes (bean, “ancient grain”, etc.) off the Mediterranean bar at the local grocery, as well as cottage cheese, either with fresh chopped veggies in it or tossed over salad greens. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/14 "2015-07-14T19:51:45Z")
Pho Dosa Soft tofu soup Sushi Teriyaki combo Broccoli beef Bibimbap Ramen ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/15 "2015-07-14T21:28:06Z")
Salad, soup, sushi, or leftovers. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/16 "2015-07-14T21:39:33Z")
Quesadilla. Remarkably easy to make and little to clean up. I just use flour tortillas, cheese, mango salsa, cut with a pizza cutter, and serve with sour cream. About 5 minutes on the stove. Though, maybe that qualifies as a sandwich. Leftovers: mmm. Loves me some leftovers! ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/17 "2015-07-14T21:42:29Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Burritos, mmmmmmmmm! :o Yeah, even the frozen ones, and frozen tamales, like from Trader Joe’s. Hot pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/18 "2015-07-14T21:45:36Z")
I’m at home, so usually leftovers or the opposite of that (there needs to be a word for this): something I can whip up using the ingredients I’m already prepping for dinner. Like, if I’m making stew for dinner, I’ll chop a bit more of the onions, celery, parsley, etc. and make that into tuna salad for me and the kiddos. Or if I’m by myself, something random like cheese and crackers and a sliced cucumber. I \*love \*sandwiches, but I’m trying to cut my carbs, so that’s a no go most days… ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/19 "2015-07-14T21:46:26Z")
Shashlik. Kebabs. Felafel. Souvlakis. Gyros. Shawarmas. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158/20 "2015-07-14T21:48:18Z")
2 granola bars and coffee. And a chocolate bar if I’m still hungry. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-eat-for-lunch-if-not-a-sandwich/725158.md?page=2)