Becky Alexander & Michelle Lake, authors of Packed, a hip and easy guide to lunch on-the-go, share their top tips on how to save time and money on your lunch
If you work in a city centre, there are now loads of places to buy a lunch. The thing is, the mark-up can be massive for what you get (3.60 for a veggie sandwich?). Lots of us get into the habit of buying the same thing most days too, which means we aren’t getting the variety or veggies we probably need. If you are spending 10 minutes each day queuing to buy your lunch, then why not spend that time getting organised buying a few online basics to make your lunch instead? Then you can get out for a walk or have more time to relax instead. Brits are spending on average 2.5K a year on lunch, which is the price of a very nice holiday. Here are some tips to help you make your own, and save some time and money:
Do an online shop at your desk
Once a week or fortnight, buy things like bags of cooked Beluga lentils, olives, feta cheese, tuna in olive oil, nuts and roast peppers so you can always make a delicious packed lunch.
Buy an amazing loaf of bread
Buy the most delicious, seed-packed rye or sourdough loaf from a posh bakery or market stall. Cut it into wedges and freeze. Take a chunk to work every day to go with your soup or salad – much nicer and loads more nutrients than a bit of white baguette.
Baby steps
If the thought of making your lunch before work seems like a massive hassle, why not try once or twice a week to start with?
Buy fridge stars
Radishes, rocket, cauliflower and red peppers will last for a week, maybe two, in your fridge, so you won’t worry about them looking soggy by Friday.
How much?
The mark-up on shop salads and sandwiches is huge. Many are low on protein (half an egg anyone?) and high on cheap, chewy lettuce. For the price you pay, think how much salmon, cray fish, avocados etc you could buy instead for that.
Batch cook at the weekend
Once a week or fortnight, make a veg- and pulse-packed soup or veg chilli. Freeze and you have something to pull out and take to work when you have zero time in the morning.
Sunday lunch savings
If you are cooking a roast lunch, add a few more veggies to the tray such as carrots, red onions, cauliflower and sweet potatoes. These can be your lunch on Monday, maybe with some feta cheese on top. Save any leftover roast chicken too to have on Tuesday in a hearty sandwich, with some roast peppers and rocket.
Coffee habits
If you buy a coffee most days, you are spending about 500 a year. That’s a weekend away. Why not take turmeric or matcha teabags to work instead, which can give you a few extra nutrients too.
For more lunch hacks from Becky and Michelle visit: www.nourishbooks.com
