Meals for a waiter with little free time?

[KissofJudas]

I've been arguing with my weight for way too long, so it's time for me to look for help! Exercise is step two; I'm a server at a café so I'm getting my steps with little trouble. It's the food I need help with.

I love to cook and I love pre-planning meals; back with my last job I had a pre-portioned lunch box and healthy snacks and I was doing awesome on that front, but wasn't moving around much. Now that I'm always moving, I don't have the same opportunities with my meals. I can't easily bring foods with me to the café; there's nowhere for me to store refrigerated stuff. I rarely get a break, and if I do it's faster/easier to buy food from the café itself--but I'm trying to save money (and eat better)! I'm bouncing between three different jobs (two are freelance and live on my computer) so time is a rare commodity.

I know that I need to make time for stuff, but I'm just having trouble finding where to take the time from! Any suggestions for something I can make preferably in a large batch on a day off or something, that can then be taken to work with me?

[Vampiro_x]

I'm not sure about recipes myself as I would generally make up a big batch of chilli or curry that I can then reheat when wanted, or just make a sandwich for lunch. 

However the issue about not being able to refrigerate stuff at work is one that I have to deal with occasionally, I picked up an insulated lunch box from a camping shop which has been brilliant. It'll keep stuff cool for most of the day so you can just leave it in your bag/locker. It also works for hot food, you can heat stuff up in the morning and it'll stay warm in the lunch box for around 3/4 hours (In my experience with the particular lunch box I use). I would recommend giving one of these a try, they aren't too expensive and could help you to put together a healthier lunch. 

I hope that helps in some way, sorry it's not exactly what you are after but I thought it might be worth a mention 🙂 

[Broadsky]

If you have a large baking pan you can cook enough frozen chicken to last about 4-5 days.  Any more than that will go bad before you can eat it.  You can than pair your pre baked chicken with frozen vegetables in a tuperware container add some of your favorite sauce and have a pre packaged meal.  Frozen vegetables are pre steamed so all you have to do is microwave them to eat.  your food will be flavorless so make sure you get some sauces at trader joes or where ever you usually get some.  You can pack a meal in a rubbermaid and the frozen vegetables will keep it cold until you microwave it which is all you need to do for it to be ready to eat.  I'd suggest buying frozen chicken at costco, sauces at trader joes, and frozen vegetables at costco or your local supermarket.  The variety in these meals comes from the sauces you choose and the combinations of frozen vegetables.  If you arent getting enough calories with the vegetables alone consider adding a peanut butter sandwhich (watch the calories though) or some oatmeal which can be made in bulk also.  Good luck!

[insoante]

I have been trying to eat healthy the last 6 months, from a complete novice I have a worked out a few ways I can do this on the go. Buy a cup blender I usually have spinich, broccoli, bananna, bluberry and coconut water for breakfast. Does not sound appealing but tastes a lot better then it sounds. Get some instant oats, just add water and microwave 2 minutes. If you want to cook up and pressed for time easy options are things like using  a rice cooker, add your rice and water at the bottom and your meat and veg on top and any flavouring. You can go out or do what ever and leave it too cook. Buy a slow cooker, have your veg and meat already to go. I usually do a couple of days where I cook a few diffrent meals and then break the portions down either put in fridge or freezer. Buy some healthy snacks, nuts etc so you can keep grazing. Funny thing is since I have been eating healthier I have been eating a lot more and just constantly grazing 

[rachlsilver]

I also have a job where I run around a lot. I bring a bag to work with me full of small snacks that I can grab and go with easily (bananas, apple slices, beef jerky, veggies, etc.) and then sometimes I meal plan and bring a frozen lunch (normally chicken and brown rice) for if I get the chance.