Credit crunch munch

[rose.winter1980]

There's an article in The Times ("the London Times" as some people know it) about lunch for workers.  It focuses on companies that provide lunch for their workers, either free (as in the case of Google) or paid-for/subsidised by other companies, and also gives suggestions for making your own lunches.

What do you do for lunch when you are at work?

Eat in the staff dining-room?
Get it free or pay for it?  Is your staff dining-room lunch subsidised?
Buy your lunch from a store or sandwich bar?
Make your own and bring it into work?
If you make your own, what do you tend to eat (I'm just curious)?

I try to make my own lunches and bring them in, although I sometimes buy a sandwich or something to heat up in the oven at work, usually a pasta or rice dish, if I don't have time to prepare anything or have run out of food at home.  I often make simple sandwiches - traditional fillings such as roast beef, ham, chicken, cheese, homemade pate.  I make soups and salads.  Yesterday, I made a wild rice, roasted pepper and chick pea salad.  Always a piece of fruit for "afters". I tend to prefer my own preparations - partly because they are cheaper than boughten things and partly because they are usually simpler and a whole lot nicer, too.  A simple sandwich here in London can cost two to three pounds, which is a lot if one multiplies that over time.  

So, has the downturn in the economy inspired you to tighten your belt and keep a close eye on the domestic purse?  If you are a new convert to making your own lunches, do you notice the difference?  

Winter Rose

Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance

[viviennenoyle]

We don't have a staff dining room or canteen, so it's either buy something outside the office or bring something in with you.  I try to bring something with me as it's cheaper and usually healthier, I like to bring in soup and heat it up in the microwave in the kitchen.  If I forget or don't have anything in the house, I'll get a sandwich from one of the shops nearby - my office is in the city centre so there are a lot of places to get sandwiches etc.  I do notice the difference in price as a sandwich is usually around £2.  It doesn't seem a lot if you only do it once or twice, but if you do it every day that's a lot of money in a month.

[gee4]

In my last job I mostly brought in lunch and met with others in the canteen.  When I got bored with sandwiches I would buy something tasty but still always lunched with my colleagues.

Currently I bring sandwiches for lunch which means I can sit at my desk and eat.  However,  as I am now in the process of moving to a building where you cannot eat food at your desk, I will probably make alternative arrangements eg. go home for lunch or pop out.  We do have a canteen but I find the whole company very clicky and people tend to lunch in their own groups.

It is cheaper to bring in your own lunch but personally I get sick of sandwiches as I only like certain fillings.  I also have an early start which means I have to make lunch the night before as I don't have time in the mornings.

[Cozwaz]

I have an early start but being close enough to work nip home for my 30 mins lunch break (mainly to let the dog out)

Lunches tend to be either a cup-a-soup and piece of fruit in the office before I nip home, or there is a van that comes round selling rolls and baguettes etc and they are just so tempting at times, or I grab a quick sandwich or something when I nip home.

This will all be changing next week as the DIET will be starting again!

[Dusty *]

I always take my own lunch, most days its some sort of sandwich (today was homemade egg mayonaise rolls).  We have a microwave in our kitchen which is useful as in the winter I bring in homemade soup, or perhaps leftover lasgne.  During the summer months I will bring a salad.  I am lucky as I have my own office, therefore I'm not offending others with my food.  It's very rare that I will buy lunch out.

[spitfire78]

I have always brought my own lunch, for the simple reason that it is much cheaper than eating out.  I bring a thermos of iced tea, half of a sandwich (1 slice of bread) made with light mayo and lunch meat, and fruit (lots of fruit in the summer!).  We have a cafeteria where we can buy food but I never do.  We also have picnic tables so we can eat outside in the nice weather.  Once in a while my friend and I will go to a local deli and get lunch out, but I really prefer just bringing my own.

I bring my lunch to work every day.  We have a microwave oven, toaster etc at the office so it makes it convenient.  I cook at least 4 times a week as a way to save money, so I just pack my lunch and take it to work.  It's amazing how much money you can save by doing this.

[laurafmcdermott]

I bring my lunch almost every day, mostly because I like to eat my lunch early and then use my regular lunch break time to take a walk or do errands.  I will buy lunch out once every 2 weeks or so.  We don't have any on-site cafe but do have a kitchen with fridge, microwaves and toaster.  I bring anything from dinner leftovers to soup to sandwiches, whatever is handy and strikes my fancy.  It's easier this way for when I'm not eating for two to keep track of calories etc. as well.

[itsme_calista]

I feel very guilty now looking at you all eating healthily and bringing in lunch, as I'm sat here with a KFC!

Generally I bring something in as our kitchen has a microwave, toaster and sandwich maker, but until I go to the shop tonight we're a bit "mother hubbard".

There's a yummy sandwich shop just up the road from my office so I often pop in there and pick up a wrap or panini.

Two more weeks and I'll be eating at home each day so it won't be a problem!

Calista

[diamondlady]

I do a bit of both. I go into ruts of going out and get sick of it, then I'll go into eating all the leftovers I can possibly stand until I get sick of it, then start eating out again.  Eating out is expensive, but, sometimes a change of pace is a good thing.  We have a grocery store here called Wegmans, and it has an awesome Cafe.  Expensive, yes, but I can usually get two meals out of their portions.  There is also a local hole in the wall place up the street that has really good food.  The potato fries are really really good.  You have to go early to get those as they disappear really quick.  I've been eating out a bit more latley, but, will probably start packing lunch again soon.  I know it's better for me cuz I can control the salt content in alot of the food, and I know it's better for me and cheaper.



Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

I work right by the supermarkets in town, but try to bring my own lunch.  During the last few cold months a thermos has been my best friend as there's nothing quite like homemade soup and gorgeous fresh bread from the shop.

Yum!

That said, it's almost too easy for me to just pop out of the office and load up on cake and chocolate, so I'm trying to train myself to be good.

[Katie G]

I mostly bring lunch -- sandwiches or warmed up leftovers from dinner the night before.  We have a large refrigerator with a freezer, so I do like to keep a frozen entree or two  in there (labeled!) for the occasional day I run short.  

Occasionally, I get soup from the company cafeteria.  It's pretty good and at $1, a relatively inexpensive way to fill out a meal.  Once every few months, the group will order Chinese or pizza as a treat.  But for the most part, I prefer to pack my own stuff.

(Calista, I had the WORST craving for KFC the other night.  If it doesn't go away soon, I may have to talk hubby into getting some for dinner this week!)

Edited by didface on 27/04/09 07:01 PM.

[itsme_calista]

Didface, KFC is my one weakness

I'm relatively good at eting healthily most of the time, I can avoid the burgers, fries, and other fried foods that many eat here, but KFC ... the minute I fancy it, the craving does not go away.

I'm back dieting at the moment so popping home at lunch for salads, poached eggs etc.  I only have just over a week left here and then I will be at home all the time so it should make it easier

Callie