Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

What's for Lunch?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

What's for Lunch?

Old 08-23-14, 04:52 PM
  #1  
TrekCommuter
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 179

Bikes: 2011 Trek 7.2 FX & 2015 Bianchi Volpe

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
What's for Lunch?

I am sure that since this is a bike commuting forum, that many of you (like me) try to live a relatively healthy lifestyle and may also be money conscious. As such, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of you packed your lunches vice going out to eat. If so, what does it consist of? I usually pack a turkey sandwich with fruit and pretzels. I've been packing a boiled egg as a snack lately. They seem to travel well, when wrapped appropriately. What about you?
TrekCommuter is offline  
Old 08-23-14, 06:10 PM
  #2  
Greg M
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: long island, NY
Posts: 99

Bikes: 13 salsa vaya, 90 klein pinnacle 01 lemond poprad, 98 klein quantum race, 91 trek 1100

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm a big salad fiend. 4 out of five days I'll pack a salad of spinach, radish, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, onion, with grilled chicken and some feta cheese. Also a piece of fruit and some chocolate chip cookies.
Greg M is offline  
Old 08-23-14, 06:17 PM
  #3  
megalowmatt
Senior Member
 
megalowmatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: North County San Diego
Posts: 1,664
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
A 55 mile ride then some hummus and chips.

I'm starving now.
megalowmatt is offline  
Old 08-23-14, 07:27 PM
  #4  
TransitBiker
contiuniously variable
 
TransitBiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,280

Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Chocolate milk, orangina, wrap of some kind, or sushi.

- Andy
TransitBiker is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:57 AM
  #5  
TrekCommuter
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 179

Bikes: 2011 Trek 7.2 FX & 2015 Bianchi Volpe

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
It amazes me what some people eat for lunch on a work day, such as fast food burgers on a regular basis. I am not a vegetarian, but eating something like that would make me want to sleep. Not conducive to getting anything done.
TrekCommuter is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 11:27 AM
  #6  
downwinded
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: WKY
Posts: 730

Bikes: 2014 Trek Crossrip LTD, 2013 Raleigh Misceo

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Usually whatever was leftover from supper the night before. I have a variety of glass and plastic containers that fit into my lunch cooler and is strapped to the handlebars. I don't put plastic in a microwave. Sometimes the meal leans to the "gourmet" side of things. Cracks me up when people, after asking what I have, will say something like, "Dang, I just have a ham sandwich." Sometimes a pack a sandwich, but there are usually some good home cooked sides to go along with it. And yes, I do take a 10 min nap after lunch!
downwinded is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 11:51 AM
  #7  
TrekCommuter
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 179

Bikes: 2011 Trek 7.2 FX & 2015 Bianchi Volpe

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by downwinded
Usually whatever was leftover from supper the night before. I have a variety of glass and plastic containers that fit into my lunch cooler and is strapped to the handlebars. I don't put plastic in a microwave. Sometimes the meal leans to the "gourmet" side of things. Cracks me up when people, after asking what I have, will say something like, "Dang, I just have a ham sandwich." Sometimes a pack a sandwich, but there are usually some good home cooked sides to go along with it. And yes, I do take a 10 min nap after lunch!
Now that's the way to do it!
TrekCommuter is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 04:14 PM
  #8  
mannie3moon
Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 37

Bikes: Raleigh Cadent; Specialized Secteur

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
When I go to work: Whatever I've cooked that week. Salmon w/rice and veggies, black beans w/rice, burritos, beef stew.

When I ride for fun: Some crackers, or a pop-tart, which stands a 40% chance of being eaten.
mannie3moon is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 05:00 PM
  #9  
malfist
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 6 Posts
If I have leftovers, that's what I'll pack. Otherwise it's a sandwich, a fruit (rotates but usually applesauce), two servings of veggies (rotates, but usually carrots) and a salty snack like pretzels or chips and a fiber one bar for dessert. My mother was a nutritionist so I have habits...
malfist is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 06:18 PM
  #10  
tsl
Plays in traffic
 
tsl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971

Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 9 Posts
I haul in all my fruit on Mondays, then every workday, I pack a ham and swiss on gluten-free. When I first had to switch to gluten-free, I was upset and angry that the bread is so small (and for so much money). But, a sandwich fits perfectly in a jersey pocket.

I arrive at work just after lunchtime. I found out early on that eating lunch then cycling to work doesn't work for me. So I'll ride to work, sandwich in jersey pocket, and have the sandwich and a banana after I arrive and before I start. Later, I'll have an orange and an apple on my break.
tsl is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 07:56 PM
  #11  
KenshiBiker
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,075
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by tsl
I haul in all my fruit on Mondays, then every workday, I pack a . . .
I do something similar. Every Monday I pack in a week's worth of fruit, plus a hard-boiled egg (plus clean clothes) for each day I'm riding. Then I just bring my lunch along in the rack trunk (in a snap lock container). Sometimes it's leftover pasta or other dinner grub, but it's usually a sandwich.
KenshiBiker is offline  
Old 08-24-14, 10:54 PM
  #12  
MikeRides
Senior Member
 
MikeRides's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Kentucky
Posts: 1,276

Bikes: Trek 1.1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Doughnuts, muffins, bagels, cheeseburgers, French fries...pretty much anything leftover from the breakfast/lunch rush. I carry very little on the bike in the morning. In the afternoon I often have a box strapped to the rear rack for day-old muffins and doughnuts for the kids, they love 'em and it beats trashing them.
MikeRides is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 06:47 AM
  #13  
mgw4jc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Posts: 2,306

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR

Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 255 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 18 Posts
I keep three lunch ingredients at work: bread, peanut butter, and jelly. I eat that most days. Occasionally I'll bring a deli meat sandwich or leftovers from home.

I usually bring a banana, apple, crackers or something with me to snack on during the day. I tend to snack a lot in the mornings, especially if I woke up early and went for a run before the commute (about 3x per week).
mgw4jc is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 07:20 AM
  #14  
bmthom.gis
Senior Member
 
bmthom.gis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,980

Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
I usually pack - my lunch normally consists of a sandwich, alternating between turkey and ham (occasionally roast beef), a few different kinds of fruit, greek yogurt, and maybe a snack of something later. Sometimes I'll have oatmeal once I get into the office. I try to keep a desk drawer stocked up with various snacks - granola bars, peanut butter crackers, and whatever else i can find that is non perishable. If nothing strikes my fancy, I just have an excuse to hop on my bike and pedal to the coffee shop and pick something up there.
I try to keep the left overs for a later week dinner when neither the wife nor I feel like cooking.

I have a lunch cooler that fits perfectly in one of my panniers, and I put shoes/clean clothes in the other one. An ice pack or two and it does the trick for me. I like to eat a bigger lunch/space it out throughout the day if I can. Sometimes I just want to eat the whole thing at once. I try to save my sweet tooth for breakfast (I read somewhere it is better to eat the sweets early so you don't crave them so much later).

Last edited by bmthom.gis; 08-25-14 at 08:09 AM.
bmthom.gis is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 08:42 AM
  #15  
RidingMatthew
Let's Ride!
 
RidingMatthew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Triad, NC USA
Posts: 2,569

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 24 Posts
usually it is peanut butter and jelly, goldfish crackers or cheeze its, applesauce or mixed fruit, and a cookie or two.

sometimes it is leftovers and sometimes a coworker shares his mom's homemade carne azada and other mexican favorites.
RidingMatthew is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 09:04 AM
  #16  
locolobo13 
Senior Member
 
locolobo13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Phx, AZ
Posts: 2,108

Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 280 Post(s)
Liked 2,601 Times in 930 Posts
Wendy's
locolobo13 is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 09:17 AM
  #17  
mgw4jc
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mooresville, NC (Charlotte suburb)
Posts: 2,306

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Trek 5000 TCT, Giant OCR

Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 255 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 18 Posts
Originally Posted by RidingMatthew
usually it is peanut butter and jelly, goldfish crackers or cheeze its, applesauce or mixed fruit, and a cookie or two.
Not sure who is copying who here. Oh, and my name is Matthew too. But have you tried the Monster Trail Mix from Target? That is my favorite snack to store at my desk - a couple of handfuls at a time.
mgw4jc is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 09:18 AM
  #18  
Sixty Fiver
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YEG
Posts: 27,272

Bikes: See my sig...

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 95 Posts
For me it is usually mobile events and classes that I am riding to... I often pack Polish dry cured sausage and sauerkraut in a separated storage container as it travels well and needs no refrigeration.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 09:25 AM
  #19  
jrickards
Senior Member
 
jrickards's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sudbury, ON, CA
Posts: 2,647

Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 133 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
I've been trying to eat better this summer so often lunch is a variety of veggies (cucumber, celery, carrot, peppers, beans) and hummus with a fruit. Sometimes, when I think of it, I'll bring cheese too (a Canadian brand of good cheddar called Baldersons, generally 2yr old cheddar, don't want to pay the extra for the 5yr or 10yr except on special occasions).

I'll have a fruit for morning and afternoon break and a full meal for dinner.
jrickards is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 10:28 AM
  #20  
mustridebikes
Senior Member
 
mustridebikes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 83

Bikes: Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I pack breakfast and lunch, reasoning that I'd rather ride the 6 miles to work then eat on the clock rather than eat breakfast quickly and ride to work. I'm a big fan of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese and fruit for breakfast, and lately it has been a lot of salads for lunch. Typically I'll grill chicken or sausage for dinner and toss the leftovers on some spinach and peppers for a quick and easy lunch the next day. Speaking of which, it's lunch time
mustridebikes is offline  
Old 08-25-14, 03:35 PM
  #21  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
Originally Posted by TransitBiker
Chocolate milk, orangina, wrap of some kind, or sushi.
I like to always pronounce "orangina" so that it rhymes with another word that ends with 'gina'

As for what I eat at lunchtime, sadly no 'gina of any kind. I keep bulk-bought noodle soups on hand (i.e. top ramen, noodle bowls), and big bags of frozen mixed veg in the freezer (we have some pretty ample communal fridge/freezer space), so I can have soup that is approaching nutritious. Also sometimes frozen burritos in the freezer. Also I bake bread so I keep sliced bread in the freezer and sliced cheese in the fridge, sometimes also cold cuts, so I can toast bread and have a cheese&mustard sandwich. I recently brought the unused panini press from home and have had some lovely 'grilled' cheese. Also other snack food that can be bought in bulk at costco: Sun Chips variety pack, flamin-hot variety pack, for breakfast instant oatmeal and pop tarts and coffee
RubeRad is offline  
Old 08-26-14, 09:42 AM
  #22  
jrickards
Senior Member
 
jrickards's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sudbury, ON, CA
Posts: 2,647

Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 133 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Attached Images
File Type: png
2014-08-26_114034.png (52.0 KB, 86 views)
jrickards is offline  
Old 08-26-14, 09:52 AM
  #23  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
Funny. I see your office-fridge comic and raise you a Dilbert...

I've had good luck with my food in the communal fridge, maybe because it's rarely ready-to-eat, but it needs like 60sec of prep. Whenever I bring leftovers from home I keep the container on my desk to warm up through the morning so it microwaves quicker at lunch (less microwave time = fewer rubbery bits)
RubeRad is offline  
Old 08-26-14, 09:54 AM
  #24  
spivonious
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lancaster, PA, USA
Posts: 1,851

Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Call me boring, but I have a turkey/ham and cheese sandwich with potato chips and a banana/apple everyday. I cut out soda years ago, so it's just water to drink.

I can't fathom why people would spend $5-$10 a day on buying lunch at a restaurant instead of $1-$3 on a packed lunch. That's potentially an extra $85 per week. It has nothing to do with health for me.
spivonious is offline  
Old 08-26-14, 10:30 AM
  #25  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,399 Times in 2,510 Posts
Originally Posted by spivonious
Call me boring, but I have a turkey/ham and cheese sandwich with potato chips and a banana/apple everyday. I cut out soda years ago, so it's just water to drink.

I can't fathom why people would spend $5-$10 a day on buying lunch at a restaurant instead of $1-$3 on a packed lunch. That's potentially an extra $85 per week. It has nothing to do with health for me.
Exactly, I am so all about keeping long-term costs down. Going out once in a while to celebrate somebody's retirement or new baby or something, OK, but 3-5 times/week?! That's just flushing money down the toilet. Although your homemade sandwich and fresh fruit is probably a lot healthier than my noodle soup full of salt and MSG...

I just got back from a business trip, the 3-meal per-diem was $71. There was a Trader Joes near my hotel, I spent less than $10 for breakfasts for the whole trip, cafeteria lunches under $10 each, probably netted a couple hundy out of the whole deal.

I think this kind of thriftiness is tied to the mentality of the bike commuter: why pay $5+ per day for somebody else to make me a lunch, when I can make it nearly for free myself? Why pay $X per day on gasoline to move a multi-ton vehicle and myself between home and work when I can, with my own power, move a 30-lb bike and myself between home and work for free?

That's also why, even though I'm generally a techie, I have no interest in paying $30-50-??/mo (per person in my family) for smartphones, when I can buy a tracfone for $10 and spend $10-20 every few months to add minutes (which I never use). If I got a smartphone fully-paid as a work benefit, that would be a different matter, but to pay to be able to waste more time on mobile than I already waste on computers....it's just silly.

Last edited by RubeRad; 08-26-14 at 10:39 AM.
RubeRad is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.