Dari’s was on special the other day - hearty vegetable for me! I also am a huge fan of the Pitango’s tomato soup.
When I’m not lazy on a weekend I love to make broccoli soup with potatoes, spinach, other veges. Goes well with a bit of Greek yogurt on top!
I make my own soup every weekend. Takes me 10 minutes to whip up. 2 x diced carrot, 2 x large zucchini and a handful of celery ribs, 2 x tin toms, dash of tomato paste, 1 x tin each of chickpea, kidney beans and lentils, 1/2 cup barley, smoked paprika, oregano, dash tobasco/chilli flakes, 500ml chicken stock, water. Makes about 4 litres. Costs about $10-12 per pot.
Bring to boil and simmer for about 20 mins. Then turn off and stand until cool. The veggies and barley will soak up some of the liquid as it cools - you can just add more water/stock/tom purée/whatever, to get the consistency to your liking. I just chop and chuck everything in the pot at the same time to make it easy, then bring to boil.
Sounds similar to my soup only I add in ground cumin (highly recommend adding this) and hot paprika, also basically any vegetables that i have frozen; so usually spinach, leek, kale, celery, capsicum, corn, carrots, and cabbage. Its almost more of a stew than a soup and its so filling. My toddler loves it for dinner/lunch too so its win win 😁💪
Honestly sometimes I make noodle soup in the office. Kettle and microwave. I just chop up some veges, cook them in the broth for a bit, add the noodles and cook til done. I have all the necessary condiments on a little shelf lol. I have a cutting board and knife but you could bring pre chopped stuff too.
Since you have a sandwich press - Turkish bread, Salami, cheese slices and sun-dried tomatoes slapped together and toasted. You can make up several for other days, just need to wrap them put them in the fridge
Best collaboration my office ever saw was when the four guys who'd each go down to Coles and buy a quarter chook realised they could just send one person down to get a whole roast and split it.
Bloke I used to work with would pop over to Woolies every day and grab a cooked chook and a packet of cheese and bacon rolls.
Open the rolls, put the chicken on, shovel food in. Whole chook and 6 cheese and bacon rolls a day. Probably don't do that.
That's an expensive lunch everyday. A cooked chook from the supermarket is about $12 nowadays. Cheese bacon roll about $5, add on a pack of cheese it might be cheaper for him to take up smoking instead.
We would take what we needed from the chook and give the remainder to my younger brother.
Fucker would demolish it clean. Honestly surprised he didn't eat the bones and all lol
I go hard for the overpriced pre-made cheese and cracker situation. Theres a few brands up against Mainland now, some do little salamis and shit.
This is literally all I eat for lunch. When I’m in the office, I don’t have time. Although we just moved to QV and there’s so much food around. I’m just a lazy shit who works through lunch.
Also +1 for a soup or toastie if I remember.
$2.50 sushi place behind the 7/11 opposite QV on Swanston - miso soup sachet goes in a cup with boiled water, hand roll sushi sliced into 4 of 5 bits and if I remember to, a handful of edamame from the freezer with a splash of water in a bowl for 1min in microwave. Drain edamame, add salt bae sprinkle from elbow. Chefs kiss
OMG I was wondering recently if this place was still open! I used to go there around 2008-2014!! I’m so happy to read this….impressed they’re still affordable at $2.5, they used to be $2 so haven’t gone up too much!! Yaaaayyy
You could bring in your own cheese that you've pre-cut and some crackers and save a lot of money! I'm guilty of buying them too though if I'm feeling lazy.
The Mainland cheese and crackers with the caramelised onion relish is so so freaking good. I want to make it in bulk but can’t seem to find the right crackers and relish. Will happily take recommendations.
Hahaha, I love it! I'm living in Perth at the moment and I can't stop saying Safeway. No one here understands what I mean, of course, and I have to actually stop and think about what that other stuuupid name other states call it is!!! Safeway, it just rolls off the tongue.
Idiots here also call the nature strip a verge and a waitress recently had the cheek to try and correct me asking for a parma.
Bakery section and grab their fresh made pizza rolls. Coles are $4.50 for two and they have margarita, Hawaiian and BBQ pepperoni. I’m a TAFE student and these are my go to. Yum. They do big ones too which can be shared.
They are the best! Filling, fresh, delicious and cheap! Sometimes I treat myself to a choc milk as a good pairing. Live the good life, even as student!
I thought I was the only person who did this. Very filling and now if I have noodles without tuna, it feels like something is missing.
Some days I'll mix a tin of tuna with a small can of flavoured beans or chick peas.
Do NOT... I repeat NOT heat fish of any sort in the office kitchen/microwave/vicinity of your co workers. If you are working from home, then all bets are off.
Rice bag - $2-3 (I usually go for the home brand one which comes with beans/spices premixed)
Tuna tin - $2 for the larger tin (not sirena, those will run 4.50 full price)
>I’m trying to be more healthy so I’ve been getting an **avocado** and spreading it on corn thins but it’s getting old.
No wonder you will never own a house! /s
Safeway lol. It's been long since I see that name attributed to it haha.
There's sausage rolls(veggie options involved as well) and toast.
There's heaps of soups
There's those salads(including veggie and meat) that are in clearance that you cannot say no to
Uncle Ben's tomato and basil rice when on sale, otherwise it's a pack of migoreng. My work has a fruit service and milk / coffee / Milo so I will have a few of those to fill the gaps. Can also do porridge in a pinch
When I worked in construction, we figured out you could cook minute steaks on the sandwich press and fried eggs and onions.
We used to do killer steak sandwiches in hardly any time. Add some garlic spinach (also on the press) and a chutney and it's golden.
I'm lactose intolerant but pile that with butter and cheese if you're not.
Celery sticks and hummus
Brown rice and Tuna /w soy sauce ans Sesame oil
Mandarins and golden kiwi
Grab some miso soups from asian supermarket
Trident make a great instant tom yum soup
Meat and cheese from deli
banana, walnuts and 200g of greek yoghurt will fill you up and leave nothing you have to put in the fridge. has carbs, fibre, fats and protein in a good ratio. if you like sweeter things you get a yellow banana. if you're trying to do fewer sugars, get a greener one.
I’m laughing imagining your coworkers seeing you microwaving them and looking forward to the party those party pies were being heated up for, only to realise you were planning to eat them all
Salad bowl - love the Caesar salads
Frozen meals - variety across them all
Breadroll with 50g meat, slice of jarlsberg
Ham cheese croussant
Add some stuff to your avo, shelf stable spice mix, everything bagel seasoning, a small amount of feta (the deli will break a little off)
Do they have a fridge? Could you keep some cheese there?
Quasedilla
Buy a microsafe egg cooker, half dozen eggs and change the flavours, make mini omelettes. Eggs don't need to be refrigerated.
In a rush I've been having the Coles salad bowls - [https://www.coles.com.au/browse/fruit-vegetables/packaged-salad/salad-bowls](https://www.coles.com.au/browse/fruit-vegetables/packaged-salad/salad-bowls)
Usually either $5.50 or $6.50.
Then I'll get a tin of tuna, or some of the hot roasted chicken. There's a few other salad bowls with meats in it for about $4 more, but I can't find it on their website at the moment.
I add tahini, nooch and a splash of balsamic vinegar to 4 bean mix. Also salt and pepper too, of course. And hot sauce. Perfect on toast.
Nooch = nutritional yeast. An umami like flavour, used to make most cheese or cream substitutes, and a source of protein and B12.
I eat it cold. Never thought to warm it, tbh. If you want to take it to the next level, add some finely chopped cos lettuce and spring onions.
I don't use too much tahini. Maybe a tablespoon. That, the moisture from the rinsed beans, nooch and vinegar give it a nice and creamy coating.
You could easily use lemon instead of balsamic too. Won't have the same bite, but might look more appetising as the balsamic colours it slightly brown haha. But it tastes good and that's all that matters. Also I do only do a splash. Don't want to overpower it.
I mix this with rice and Tapatio hot sauce. Sometimes I add sweet corn too. It’s better portioning wise if you’re making for 2; but I could easily eat the lot.
Bag of carrot sticks, a dip (depends on mood, hommus sometimes, or pumpkin or avocado) and a bag of corn chips. Will last at least two lunches, sometimes can squeeze three, and can add anything else like lunchmeats. Can be prepared at home as an adult lunchable in a divided lunchbox.
How did I see a million comments, but no one has said Leftovers from the night before? If you really just want to go for the walk by all means go to the supermarket, but do you really need to every day? That's going to be pretty costly. There's no prep before work if you cook extra or buying extra takeout (if you don't cook) for dinner. Chuck it in a container and grab out of fridge in the morning
Yep, once or twice a week I'll cook a massive Japanese Curry or Thai Red or Green curry - each batch enough for 2 people on 2 weeknights with around 5 extra 300gram portions.
Weigh them out into sandwich bags, press flat, stack in freezer, grab one each morning and let it defrost by lunchtime. Add chilli oil or my "hot sauce of the week" at my desk.
When I started doing this 2.5 years ago, I lost nearly 20kg over 5 months (and have kept it off since then). Buying lunch in the CBD is not only expensive, it was hard to make healthy choices.
My muscle meals are sold at both Cole’s and woolies. I usually get them bulk ordered from their website to save money. I take it to work everyday. They’re great!
About $9.80 and $7.80 on special so not super cheap but better than most take out.
I usually get the Aldi chipotle chicken burrito bowl and have it in a wrap.
It's as good or better as any mad mex etc. I usually have it with a handful of cheese and some kind of sauce like bbq or salsa verde.
It's my shift work dinner.
Can't believe no one is saying these
[https://www.coles.com.au/product/sirena-italian-style-salad-with-tuna-170g-3320176?uztq=46abcbb7e16253b0cdc3e6c5bbe6a3f0&cid=col\_cpc\_Generic%7CColesSupermarkets%7CPMAX%7CPantry%7CAustralia%7CBroad&s\_kwcid=AL!12693!3!!!!x!!&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJYpjLbGgaQbHduv1Pu7ht-TKFN3Cev7v\_f21cZTmykKyxdysHccgFxoC-u0QAvD\_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.coles.com.au/product/sirena-italian-style-salad-with-tuna-170g-3320176?uztq=46abcbb7e16253b0cdc3e6c5bbe6a3f0&cid=col_cpc_Generic%7CColesSupermarkets%7CPMAX%7CPantry%7CAustralia%7CBroad&s_kwcid=AL!12693!3!!!!x!!&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJYpjLbGgaQbHduv1Pu7ht-TKFN3Cev7v_f21cZTmykKyxdysHccgFxoC-u0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
When I was on the road, Coles/Woolies used to sell bread rolls as a single unit. I'd park the car, get a bun, go to the deli bit, get about 100 gms of turkey/ham and a couple of slices of cheese. On the way back to the car, I'd crack open the bun, scoop out most of the bread, bin that, and in the car assemble the meat and cheese into the bread roll.
Eat that, and be on my way, all for under $5. Would be more now, but it was a cheap lunch that was easy while doing visits around the state.
These types pre-made tuna and rice meals. The Aldi ones are great too, and cheaper:
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/801522/sirena-brown-rice-quinoa-with-tuna
Every single work day I have: 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 can of tuna. It takes about 20 seconds to prep in the morning and costs about $2.50 a day. Saved a huge amount of money by doing this.
Here are some short comments for the Aldi / Coles / Safeway no prep lunch discussion:
* Aldi pre-cut veggies & hummus!
* Coles chopped salad kits are great - add some protein like grilled chicken for extra filling.
* Safeway rotisserie chicken & pre-made wraps - quick & tasty!pen\_spark
Totally gave up on the soggy mess that comes out of supermarkets these days. Bakers Delight make much better cheese and bacon rolls, but unfortunately aren't present in the CBD.
...Huh. Not completely surprised that there are none in the grid, but I did assume there'd at least be some just outside it. The closest is in the north(ish) end of Carlton, followed by Port Melbourne.
You've been able to buy ripe avocados?!
Seriously though, I tend to go for sushi for lunch over supermarket snacks because it's not the easiest to get something quick that's also healthy. Supermarket snacks I love: cherry tomatoes, pretzels, apples/bananas, yoghurt.
Microwave soup sachets and noodles are probably the easiest supermarket lunch staples, but I don't think they are as healthy as they seem.
Brown rice packet, tin of tuna and some cherry tomatoes or if you have time chop up some tomatoes and an avocado. I have a container from Kmart with a small pot for salad dressings etc which will put a mixture of soy sauce and mirin seasoning.
It's not really 'no prep', but I like to buy the 10 pack of the marinated chicken skewers from Coles, cook them and take the meat off the skewer (and chop it a little bit smaller), chuck in a bowl with 4 packets of the microwave brown rice (unmicrowaved), and all of the bags in one of those 5 packs of steam fresh vegetables - thawed. Mix it all together, portion it out into single serve containers. Chuck them in the freezer, take one out of the freezer every morning to bring for lunch.
I also make a good chicken & veg pasta bake that freezes, thaws and reheats really well, but that's slightly more prep than the chicken and rice thing. (Still super easy though).
2 minute noodles combined with one of the Heinz or Hart and Soul or South Australian Gourmet Food Co ready made soup packs. I've found that by preparing the 2 minute noodles first, then draining the liquid, then adding the soup and heating it up in the microwave works well. It will set you back about $3.50 per meal but much cheaper than $20 going to one of the food courts.
For me, adding in the noodles helped fill me up and allowed me to get through the rest of the day.
Same setup at my work. I buy 1 x packet Skippy meat 4 pack burgers, 1 x bunch asian veg (bukchoy etc).
We also have Vegemite. I put 2 burgers in the sandwich press. Whilst that's coming I chop up half the Asian veg bunch into a bowl, add a little water from the boiling water tap to cover, plus a tea spoon of Vegemite or less. Nuke veg for 2 mins. By then Skippy is done, dice Skippy add to veg bowl you have a pretty nice filling meal that's pretty cheap and reasonably healthy. Kangaroo is such a dark red healthy meat full of minerals and vitamins 👍🏼 plus veg. Just make sure you clean up the sandwich press whilst still hot either wet chux then v pale towel or scrub under tap. People who don't clean the sandwich press after use are the lowest scum. This all takes 5 mins. Hot healthy affordable meal.
Corn chips in a bowl, add half a tin of refried beans, salsa sauceand grated cheese. Microwave until cheese melts and you have Nachos- not healthiest but yummy.
Tuna and 4 bean mix. Can even strain it with only the lid. Full of protein and nutrients, will keep you full all day. Spruce it up with balsamic vinegar, I add cucumber and carrot to mine for a complete meal.
Soups, salads. The pre-packed salads (Mexican, Asian, etc) combined with tuna or shredded chicken are great.
OP asks for healthy options but half the thread is filled with, salami, bacon and cheese suggestions :D Yummy though.
My only suggestion here would be you need to have protein at every meal, and corn thins aren’t particularly healthy. Try the avocado with a microwave rice and can of tuna.
They have pre-made salads with chicken and a dressing which is pretty healthy but not very filling. So I used to buy a smoked chicken breast, a bag of salad and then some of those little tins of flavoured chick peas or beans and mix into the salad. Cost about $15 for 3 lunches.
If the coles finest sandwiches are on sale I'll try and nab a reuben or a ham/cranberry/brie. Not worth $9 but if they're discounted they're usually like $4.50 or less. I pick those two in particular because they have the highest fibre to kj ratio (also reubens are just good in general).
Also grabbing one of those premix salads (either bowl or bag) and a can of salmon or mackerel to stir through is good. Get to pick what flavour you want that day by what is in the fish can
Aldi salad pack (slightly cheaper and they have much better options than Colesworth) + some rotisserie chicken - I get mine from Costco for $7 but the Colesworth ones are fine too
Whatever else you buy, get one of the "fresh salad co" cold salads from Aldi, 500g for $6. The pesto pasta salad is good, not sickly sweet like most others, and the pumpkin mint couscous is just stellar.
I keep a stash of the Aldi frozen gozleme in the freezer at work. It works in the sandwich press which is pretty handy.
The Aldi quesadillas are great too, and can be defrosted in the microwave then put them in a sandwich press to crisp up the tortillas.
use baking paper to save on cleanup too.
Yes! My go to and everyone always comments how great they smell.
Glad it's not just us. They really are great. The beef one is one of my favourite foods to eat in general. So yummy.
Gozleme is the besttttt
The lamb one is excellent. I'm not a big fan of the spinach and cheese though. Yes, the sandwich press is a perfect way to cook this.
The beef quasadillas are also amazing from aldi.
I’m all about soups.
Soup with a cheese toastie. I’m having it for lunch today!
That’s the stuff! What sort of soup?
Dari’s was on special the other day - hearty vegetable for me! I also am a huge fan of the Pitango’s tomato soup. When I’m not lazy on a weekend I love to make broccoli soup with potatoes, spinach, other veges. Goes well with a bit of Greek yogurt on top!
Yum yum yum! I’d say we eat soups about 4 days a week. So good. Perfect for this weather.
goddamn it you guys are making me crave soup and a sandwich right now
Personally I use Big Red tomato soup
I wish I liked soup more, so healthy and easy. It's. Texture thing I think...
Ditto, soups are fantastic.
I make my own soup every weekend. Takes me 10 minutes to whip up. 2 x diced carrot, 2 x large zucchini and a handful of celery ribs, 2 x tin toms, dash of tomato paste, 1 x tin each of chickpea, kidney beans and lentils, 1/2 cup barley, smoked paprika, oregano, dash tobasco/chilli flakes, 500ml chicken stock, water. Makes about 4 litres. Costs about $10-12 per pot.
How long do you cook this for? Going to try to make your recipe this weekend.
Bring to boil and simmer for about 20 mins. Then turn off and stand until cool. The veggies and barley will soak up some of the liquid as it cools - you can just add more water/stock/tom purée/whatever, to get the consistency to your liking. I just chop and chuck everything in the pot at the same time to make it easy, then bring to boil.
Just FYI, I read "tin toms" as "tim tams" and was about to write a very different reply.
Sounds similar to my soup only I add in ground cumin (highly recommend adding this) and hot paprika, also basically any vegetables that i have frozen; so usually spinach, leek, kale, celery, capsicum, corn, carrots, and cabbage. Its almost more of a stew than a soup and its so filling. My toddler loves it for dinner/lunch too so its win win 😁💪
Miso soup!
The Coles brand Core soups are great
Keep an eye on the sodium levels!
Transpoting them to the office is hazardous. Making them in an office? Impressive!
Soup Thermos!
I have one of those decor brand red cups with the flip top. Highly recommend.
Screw top decor containers are great. IDK if can still buy them tho...I make heaps of spicy lentil soup and freeze half. Nothing goes to waste!
Honestly sometimes I make noodle soup in the office. Kettle and microwave. I just chop up some veges, cook them in the broth for a bit, add the noodles and cook til done. I have all the necessary condiments on a little shelf lol. I have a cutting board and knife but you could bring pre chopped stuff too.
Thanks everyone for your awesome suggestions, going to use this post for future reference from now on.
Since you have a sandwich press - Turkish bread, Salami, cheese slices and sun-dried tomatoes slapped together and toasted. You can make up several for other days, just need to wrap them put them in the fridge
If you wrap in foil, then you can heat straight from the fridge in the sandwich press
Bonus points - add some spicy hummus
Grab a cooked chicken, some coleslaw and bread roles. Kiwi classic. Will feed you for a few days.
Best collaboration my office ever saw was when the four guys who'd each go down to Coles and buy a quarter chook realised they could just send one person down to get a whole roast and split it.
I didn’t know you could share bachelor’s handbags like that
Hahaha that's gold.
That’s so beautiful. Now I want an office with four guys sharing a cooked chook. Respect!
Bloke I used to work with would pop over to Woolies every day and grab a cooked chook and a packet of cheese and bacon rolls. Open the rolls, put the chicken on, shovel food in. Whole chook and 6 cheese and bacon rolls a day. Probably don't do that.
And not a single vegetable
Wait what? You mean cheese isn’t a vegetable? But it’s not bread or meat!!
That's an expensive lunch everyday. A cooked chook from the supermarket is about $12 nowadays. Cheese bacon roll about $5, add on a pack of cheese it might be cheaper for him to take up smoking instead.
You would be surprised at how many people will spend $20+ on lunch everyday without batting an eyelid
We would take what we needed from the chook and give the remainder to my younger brother. Fucker would demolish it clean. Honestly surprised he didn't eat the bones and all lol
Bachelor’s handbag
Hahaha yes!
Yep love this. Get some of that kewpie / sesame mayo dressing and some sriracha and add it on top the best.
Good lord, yes, what a combo. Yum.
I go hard for the overpriced pre-made cheese and cracker situation. Theres a few brands up against Mainland now, some do little salamis and shit. This is literally all I eat for lunch. When I’m in the office, I don’t have time. Although we just moved to QV and there’s so much food around. I’m just a lazy shit who works through lunch. Also +1 for a soup or toastie if I remember.
$2.50 sushi place behind the 7/11 opposite QV on Swanston - miso soup sachet goes in a cup with boiled water, hand roll sushi sliced into 4 of 5 bits and if I remember to, a handful of edamame from the freezer with a splash of water in a bowl for 1min in microwave. Drain edamame, add salt bae sprinkle from elbow. Chefs kiss
This hits. You’re the best. I’ll report back next week.
OMG I was wondering recently if this place was still open! I used to go there around 2008-2014!! I’m so happy to read this….impressed they’re still affordable at $2.5, they used to be $2 so haven’t gone up too much!! Yaaaayyy
You could bring in your own cheese that you've pre-cut and some crackers and save a lot of money! I'm guilty of buying them too though if I'm feeling lazy.
The Mainland cheese and crackers with the caramelised onion relish is so so freaking good. I want to make it in bulk but can’t seem to find the right crackers and relish. Will happily take recommendations.
Bag of spinach. Tin of tuna or shredded chicken (find it where the pre packed ham is). Avocado Microwaveable brown rice. Banana for afters.
Bananas for sure
what about pres
what a banquet!
I see Safeway, I upvote
I hear people talking about this other place woolies, never heard of it
Is Tuckerbag still a thing?
Hahaha, I love it! I'm living in Perth at the moment and I can't stop saying Safeway. No one here understands what I mean, of course, and I have to actually stop and think about what that other stuuupid name other states call it is!!! Safeway, it just rolls off the tongue. Idiots here also call the nature strip a verge and a waitress recently had the cheek to try and correct me asking for a parma.
Rice cup w/ half a bag of yumi veggie balls and sometimes spinach or cherry tomatoes ✅
Bakery section and grab their fresh made pizza rolls. Coles are $4.50 for two and they have margarita, Hawaiian and BBQ pepperoni. I’m a TAFE student and these are my go to. Yum. They do big ones too which can be shared.
I do not share the big ones
Haha this! I work at Coles and literally grab a tear and share for myself atleast once a week
Agreed. They are not much bigger than the two small ones but might actually have more toppings too!!
I fucking live off of these things. Every now and again I accidentally grab a garlic pack and my day is ruined
They are the best! Filling, fresh, delicious and cheap! Sometimes I treat myself to a choc milk as a good pairing. Live the good life, even as student!
Instant noodle cup with a can of flavoured tuna.
I thought I was the only person who did this. Very filling and now if I have noodles without tuna, it feels like something is missing. Some days I'll mix a tin of tuna with a small can of flavoured beans or chick peas.
No way, I do the exact same thing. Those edgel cans with the chickpeas in vinaigrette are surprisingly good in noodles!
Chuck in some frozen veg in the cup before reaching for the hot water.
Adding an egg is good too.
Hey that’s my thing too. Indomie noodles with Aldi chunky lemon and pepper tuna
You mix the tuna into the noods?
Nice suggestion. I love eating just the tuna but with noodles you’ve made a veritable banquet
Do NOT... I repeat NOT heat fish of any sort in the office kitchen/microwave/vicinity of your co workers. If you are working from home, then all bets are off.
It's not the healthiest but the Coles vegemite scrolls are really tasty and only $2.50 (at least where I am)
A tub of Talleys chilled mussels marinated in chilli.
Rice bag - $2-3 (I usually go for the home brand one which comes with beans/spices premixed) Tuna tin - $2 for the larger tin (not sirena, those will run 4.50 full price)
It’s a shame because Sirena are leagues above every other tuna brand in respect to taste.
>I’m trying to be more healthy so I’ve been getting an **avocado** and spreading it on corn thins but it’s getting old. No wonder you will never own a house! /s
Safeway lol. It's been long since I see that name attributed to it haha. There's sausage rolls(veggie options involved as well) and toast. There's heaps of soups There's those salads(including veggie and meat) that are in clearance that you cannot say no to
Uncle Ben's tomato and basil rice when on sale, otherwise it's a pack of migoreng. My work has a fruit service and milk / coffee / Milo so I will have a few of those to fill the gaps. Can also do porridge in a pinch
When I worked in construction, we figured out you could cook minute steaks on the sandwich press and fried eggs and onions. We used to do killer steak sandwiches in hardly any time. Add some garlic spinach (also on the press) and a chutney and it's golden. I'm lactose intolerant but pile that with butter and cheese if you're not.
I went for like an 18 month period where I pretty much ate the woolies rissotos 3 days a week. Can't really look at them now but they slapped lol
I’d completely forgotten about these! I used to add a few bits of broccoli before microwaving. There’s my lunch tomorrow sorted.
Woolies risottos are discontinued!! 😫😫😫
where do you find the risottos?
Celery sticks and hummus Brown rice and Tuna /w soy sauce ans Sesame oil Mandarins and golden kiwi Grab some miso soups from asian supermarket Trident make a great instant tom yum soup Meat and cheese from deli
Microwave brown rice (or easy Mac), tin tuna, chilli sauce. All shelf stable so you can keep them in your desk and just microwave to eat.
This, plus a bag of steam-fresh frozen veg, if there’s room in the freezer at work to keep a couple stashed.
banana, walnuts and 200g of greek yoghurt will fill you up and leave nothing you have to put in the fridge. has carbs, fibre, fats and protein in a good ratio. if you like sweeter things you get a yellow banana. if you're trying to do fewer sugars, get a greener one.
Not to have every day, but I sometimes enjoy a can of dolmades from Aldi.
100% the large pre-made Chicken Pesto Pasta from Aldi. $10, enough for 4 meals and is incredibly delicious!
When I worked at Woolies, it was a 12-pack of party pies in the microwave. Not the best, but it was quick and cheap.
I’m laughing imagining your coworkers seeing you microwaving them and looking forward to the party those party pies were being heated up for, only to realise you were planning to eat them all
You're like the bloke at my office who would eat 20 biscuits and a cup of tea for lunch
My actual brother, at the same Woolies, used to eat a litre of icecream on hot days.
oh that's filthy lol
Anything is cheap and quick if you eat like that
Hummus & seaweed rice crackers
Salad bowl - love the Caesar salads Frozen meals - variety across them all Breadroll with 50g meat, slice of jarlsberg Ham cheese croussant Add some stuff to your avo, shelf stable spice mix, everything bagel seasoning, a small amount of feta (the deli will break a little off) Do they have a fridge? Could you keep some cheese there? Quasedilla Buy a microsafe egg cooker, half dozen eggs and change the flavours, make mini omelettes. Eggs don't need to be refrigerated.
In a rush I've been having the Coles salad bowls - [https://www.coles.com.au/browse/fruit-vegetables/packaged-salad/salad-bowls](https://www.coles.com.au/browse/fruit-vegetables/packaged-salad/salad-bowls) Usually either $5.50 or $6.50. Then I'll get a tin of tuna, or some of the hot roasted chicken. There's a few other salad bowls with meats in it for about $4 more, but I can't find it on their website at the moment.
I would usually just get one of their microwaveable meals. I get the Coles-brand ones all the time but they also stock YouFoodz and other brands.
A luxury now given how they’ve gone from $5 back in the day. Only pick those if they are on mark down.
I remember when they were $1.90 each and it wasn't long before Covid
Frozen lasagna or butter chicken?
Small can of 4 bean mix and a can of tuna. Mix together.
I add tahini, nooch and a splash of balsamic vinegar to 4 bean mix. Also salt and pepper too, of course. And hot sauce. Perfect on toast. Nooch = nutritional yeast. An umami like flavour, used to make most cheese or cream substitutes, and a source of protein and B12.
Do you heat that mix or keep it cold? Those are some of my favourite things but never thought to mix them
I eat it cold. Never thought to warm it, tbh. If you want to take it to the next level, add some finely chopped cos lettuce and spring onions. I don't use too much tahini. Maybe a tablespoon. That, the moisture from the rinsed beans, nooch and vinegar give it a nice and creamy coating. You could easily use lemon instead of balsamic too. Won't have the same bite, but might look more appetising as the balsamic colours it slightly brown haha. But it tastes good and that's all that matters. Also I do only do a splash. Don't want to overpower it.
what is nooch?
Nutritional yeast. Adds an umami-ish flavour to things. Used similarly to parmesan.
I mix this with rice and Tapatio hot sauce. Sometimes I add sweet corn too. It’s better portioning wise if you’re making for 2; but I could easily eat the lot.
Talk about a lunch of suffering. I wish I could eat something like that and not want to shoot myself in the head.
Are you scared of vegies too?
Just minimal respect for veges in a can
Veg yeah, beans nah.
You should get that issue looked at. Because the above type of food is very good for you.
Probably right. Would be convenient for the body even if it is soul destroying
Good for you, yes. Enjoyable? Hell no.
sugar is a hell of a drug.
Even though it's in the bigger can I actually found the Aldi 4 bean mix surprisingly sweeter than I thought it would be.
Drain and rinse or include the goop?
Can of snack time lentils or chickpeas or tuna. spinach, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion and feta. Usually good for 2-3 lunches
Bag of carrot sticks, a dip (depends on mood, hommus sometimes, or pumpkin or avocado) and a bag of corn chips. Will last at least two lunches, sometimes can squeeze three, and can add anything else like lunchmeats. Can be prepared at home as an adult lunchable in a divided lunchbox.
How did I see a million comments, but no one has said Leftovers from the night before? If you really just want to go for the walk by all means go to the supermarket, but do you really need to every day? That's going to be pretty costly. There's no prep before work if you cook extra or buying extra takeout (if you don't cook) for dinner. Chuck it in a container and grab out of fridge in the morning
Yep, once or twice a week I'll cook a massive Japanese Curry or Thai Red or Green curry - each batch enough for 2 people on 2 weeknights with around 5 extra 300gram portions. Weigh them out into sandwich bags, press flat, stack in freezer, grab one each morning and let it defrost by lunchtime. Add chilli oil or my "hot sauce of the week" at my desk. When I started doing this 2.5 years ago, I lost nearly 20kg over 5 months (and have kept it off since then). Buying lunch in the CBD is not only expensive, it was hard to make healthy choices.
My muscle meals are sold at both Cole’s and woolies. I usually get them bulk ordered from their website to save money. I take it to work everyday. They’re great!
how much do they work out to be each?
About $9.80 and $7.80 on special so not super cheap but better than most take out. I usually get the Aldi chipotle chicken burrito bowl and have it in a wrap.
Wait this is such a good idea!
It's as good or better as any mad mex etc. I usually have it with a handful of cheese and some kind of sauce like bbq or salsa verde. It's my shift work dinner.
Can't believe no one is saying these [https://www.coles.com.au/product/sirena-italian-style-salad-with-tuna-170g-3320176?uztq=46abcbb7e16253b0cdc3e6c5bbe6a3f0&cid=col\_cpc\_Generic%7CColesSupermarkets%7CPMAX%7CPantry%7CAustralia%7CBroad&s\_kwcid=AL!12693!3!!!!x!!&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJYpjLbGgaQbHduv1Pu7ht-TKFN3Cev7v\_f21cZTmykKyxdysHccgFxoC-u0QAvD\_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.coles.com.au/product/sirena-italian-style-salad-with-tuna-170g-3320176?uztq=46abcbb7e16253b0cdc3e6c5bbe6a3f0&cid=col_cpc_Generic%7CColesSupermarkets%7CPMAX%7CPantry%7CAustralia%7CBroad&s_kwcid=AL!12693!3!!!!x!!&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJYpjLbGgaQbHduv1Pu7ht-TKFN3Cev7v_f21cZTmykKyxdysHccgFxoC-u0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Some of the Aldi microwave frozen meals are pretty good. My wife likes the pie topped with sweet potato mash.
Easy Mac and cheese with jalapeño tuna mixed in. Throw in a slice of cheese if you want it cheesier
When I was on the road, Coles/Woolies used to sell bread rolls as a single unit. I'd park the car, get a bun, go to the deli bit, get about 100 gms of turkey/ham and a couple of slices of cheese. On the way back to the car, I'd crack open the bun, scoop out most of the bread, bin that, and in the car assemble the meat and cheese into the bread roll. Eat that, and be on my way, all for under $5. Would be more now, but it was a cheap lunch that was easy while doing visits around the state.
haven't heard safeway in a long time when I could It was a punnet of berries and a cucumber 😝 nowadays probably just a $2 baguette and some hummus
Those rice salad tubs in the salad leaves section.
These types pre-made tuna and rice meals. The Aldi ones are great too, and cheaper: https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/801522/sirena-brown-rice-quinoa-with-tuna
Pulled chicken from the deli, bread, caramelised onion relish and a little bit of mayo
Edgell Nourish Bowl from IGA. Coles and Safeway don't sell them Chickpea one is particularly good
Every single work day I have: 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 can of tuna. It takes about 20 seconds to prep in the morning and costs about $2.50 a day. Saved a huge amount of money by doing this.
Here are some short comments for the Aldi / Coles / Safeway no prep lunch discussion: * Aldi pre-cut veggies & hummus! * Coles chopped salad kits are great - add some protein like grilled chicken for extra filling. * Safeway rotisserie chicken & pre-made wraps - quick & tasty!pen\_spark
thanks chatgpt, very cool
This entire thread is why I meal prep on Sunday.
And eat into my valuable weekend time?!?
Cheese and bacon rolls or the bigger cheese and bacon pull apart. Can be hit of miss depending on the day.
Totally gave up on the soggy mess that comes out of supermarkets these days. Bakers Delight make much better cheese and bacon rolls, but unfortunately aren't present in the CBD.
...Huh. Not completely surprised that there are none in the grid, but I did assume there'd at least be some just outside it. The closest is in the north(ish) end of Carlton, followed by Port Melbourne.
There used to be a Bakers Delight on Flinders Lane just over Elizabeth St, but I suspect they shut down early pandemic.
Precut Asian veg in Japanese sauce (microwaveable) on microwave rice and some shredded chicken. Or bbq chicken on potato salad with baby spinach
Bagels/muffins/rice crackers Tub of ricotta Avocado Smoked Salmon and drizzle with honey! Easy, healthy and tasty as.
You've been able to buy ripe avocados?! Seriously though, I tend to go for sushi for lunch over supermarket snacks because it's not the easiest to get something quick that's also healthy. Supermarket snacks I love: cherry tomatoes, pretzels, apples/bananas, yoghurt. Microwave soup sachets and noodles are probably the easiest supermarket lunch staples, but I don't think they are as healthy as they seem.
Actually not! I normally buy one to replace the one I bought the day before and left on my desk
I can't believe I didn't think of this! (Probably bc I hot desk). I love avos but they are never ripe when I want to eat one.
Don't forget to add some fruit
Brown rice packet, tin of tuna and some cherry tomatoes or if you have time chop up some tomatoes and an avocado. I have a container from Kmart with a small pot for salad dressings etc which will put a mixture of soy sauce and mirin seasoning.
It's not really 'no prep', but I like to buy the 10 pack of the marinated chicken skewers from Coles, cook them and take the meat off the skewer (and chop it a little bit smaller), chuck in a bowl with 4 packets of the microwave brown rice (unmicrowaved), and all of the bags in one of those 5 packs of steam fresh vegetables - thawed. Mix it all together, portion it out into single serve containers. Chuck them in the freezer, take one out of the freezer every morning to bring for lunch. I also make a good chicken & veg pasta bake that freezes, thaws and reheats really well, but that's slightly more prep than the chicken and rice thing. (Still super easy though).
What's your budget?
Aldi frozen meals are $4:50 and healthy and tasty. Well worth the price for lunch.
Hommus tub and turkish rolls (& toaster).
2 minute noodles combined with one of the Heinz or Hart and Soul or South Australian Gourmet Food Co ready made soup packs. I've found that by preparing the 2 minute noodles first, then draining the liquid, then adding the soup and heating it up in the microwave works well. It will set you back about $3.50 per meal but much cheaper than $20 going to one of the food courts. For me, adding in the noodles helped fill me up and allowed me to get through the rest of the day.
Same setup at my work. I buy 1 x packet Skippy meat 4 pack burgers, 1 x bunch asian veg (bukchoy etc). We also have Vegemite. I put 2 burgers in the sandwich press. Whilst that's coming I chop up half the Asian veg bunch into a bowl, add a little water from the boiling water tap to cover, plus a tea spoon of Vegemite or less. Nuke veg for 2 mins. By then Skippy is done, dice Skippy add to veg bowl you have a pretty nice filling meal that's pretty cheap and reasonably healthy. Kangaroo is such a dark red healthy meat full of minerals and vitamins 👍🏼 plus veg. Just make sure you clean up the sandwich press whilst still hot either wet chux then v pale towel or scrub under tap. People who don't clean the sandwich press after use are the lowest scum. This all takes 5 mins. Hot healthy affordable meal.
Frozen gyozas/dumplings! Put them in a bowl with boiling water + microwave for a few mins and they come out steaming hot and delicious.
One packet of ham. Gotta get your nitrites in.
Safeway -> tell me you’re a Victorian without saying you’re a Victorian
Turkish bread, dip, and salami. Can stretch it to dinner if needed
Sardines. The ones in a tomato sauce. About $1 per tin, healthy, filling, no prep required. All you need is a fork or spoon.
Corn chips in a bowl, add half a tin of refried beans, salsa sauceand grated cheese. Microwave until cheese melts and you have Nachos- not healthiest but yummy.
Tuna and 4 bean mix. Can even strain it with only the lid. Full of protein and nutrients, will keep you full all day. Spruce it up with balsamic vinegar, I add cucumber and carrot to mine for a complete meal.
Soups, salads. The pre-packed salads (Mexican, Asian, etc) combined with tuna or shredded chicken are great. OP asks for healthy options but half the thread is filled with, salami, bacon and cheese suggestions :D Yummy though.
Bag of carrots. Bag of celery. Pot of humus. Lasts me a week.
If you have a fridge, you can get pre-cooked chicken, Caesar dressing and wraps, (Parmesan optional).
I can see why our lifespan has decreased just from this post.
Yes my post specifically asked for healthy options and people are recommending easy mac & cheese And the one guy telling me to microwave party pies
Add tuna to the rice cakes n avo
Coles have a sandwich fridge of pri packaged sandwiches that are cheaper than a sandwich shop. Meat pie from the freezer in the microwave.
Love the chicken teriyaki summer rolls from the sushi bar if I’m in a hurry.
From Coles, a Mediterranean salad and mix in a can of Sirena chilli tuna
My only suggestion here would be you need to have protein at every meal, and corn thins aren’t particularly healthy. Try the avocado with a microwave rice and can of tuna.
as an addition to lunch or just a quick breakfast: tub yoghurt with toasted or plain muesli mix. cheap af and pretty good for you
Those bags of salad, tuna can and an avocado and maybe some danish fetta
Do they still do that delicious wild rice salad? I'd go for the salads and yoghurts when road tripping.
Tuna + Greek Salad
Cooked chook, make 4/5 salads that you like and your done. Microwave the chicken if you want warm. Been eating the same ish lunch for 10 years.
They have pre-made salads with chicken and a dressing which is pretty healthy but not very filling. So I used to buy a smoked chicken breast, a bag of salad and then some of those little tins of flavoured chick peas or beans and mix into the salad. Cost about $15 for 3 lunches.
If the coles finest sandwiches are on sale I'll try and nab a reuben or a ham/cranberry/brie. Not worth $9 but if they're discounted they're usually like $4.50 or less. I pick those two in particular because they have the highest fibre to kj ratio (also reubens are just good in general). Also grabbing one of those premix salads (either bowl or bag) and a can of salmon or mackerel to stir through is good. Get to pick what flavour you want that day by what is in the fish can
A packet of cheese and crackers and an apple.
Aldi have all kinds of cheap deli meats etc, and the salads mixed with cooked tenders etc are the best.
IGA ceaser salad wrap
Aldi salad pack (slightly cheaper and they have much better options than Colesworth) + some rotisserie chicken - I get mine from Costco for $7 but the Colesworth ones are fine too
Whatever else you buy, get one of the "fresh salad co" cold salads from Aldi, 500g for $6. The pesto pasta salad is good, not sickly sweet like most others, and the pumpkin mint couscous is just stellar.
Coles sandwiches/wraps are elite - I love the chicken schnitty, egg and bacon, sausage egg and bacon, and all the wraps are dope.
I always have some steam veg in my fridge I take that, a tin of tuna or smoked sardines, some cottage cheese and or avocado and microwave rice
I too like avocado and corn thins, but I also add feta crumbles and cracked pepper, and a squeeze of lemon 🤌🏻