Venus Trapped in Mars Sports and Lifestyle Blog Dallas

27 March 2014

5 Cheap and Healthy Lunch Ideas for the Busy Girl

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #TENways http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Actually, let me go ahead and add on to that post title,

"5 Cheap and Healthy Lunch Ideas for the Busy Girl that Can't Cook to Save Her Life but Wants to be Fit and Confident in a Bikini this Summer Without Spending A Small Fortune at the Gourmet Hipster Salad Shop Everyday on her Lunch Break."

Ok, I feel better now.





First, let's talk about drinking large amounts of calories throughout the day. It is just silliness to waste empty calories on sugary, high calorie drinks. Save those calories for a second helping of low-cal, sugar free ice cream later on in the day when you're watching biggest loser. Come on, don't lie, I know we all eat ice cream while watching the biggest loser. Eating ice cream is to biggest loser as Kayne is to Kayne. (Did I use that joke right?)

The drinks I have stocked in my fridge right now are these new ten calorie, full flavor soft drinks. I first found them when I grabbed a whole big case at Walmart to keep on hand in my hotel room during my 10 day trip to Miami. There are four different flavors including 7UP, Sunkist, A&W and Canada Dry. I wanted to be sure to have those within an arms-reach instead of a pointless, high cal drink from the vending machine. They are only 10 calories, but don't sacrifice any of that taste and full flavor we all love in our soft drinks. 

I mean, which would you rather have, an attention-grabbing-for-all-the-right-reasons beach bod, or a bathing suit that could double as a parachute and flotation device? I am not going skydiving, and I already know how to swim, so I'll opt for the hot beach bod and the 10 cal beverage! With that said, now you know why I've paired the 7up Ten with each of my work week lunches!

So let's get started, I've listed out lunches that are healthy, easy (my dog could make these) and inexpensive. Way less than eating out for lunch each day! These aren't intended be life changing, I'm no chef, just a workin' girl trying to make every day a little easier! 








Adapted from this recipe here























So there you have it, 5 healthy lunch ideas that all use pretty much the exact same ingredients, just switched around. The more you can use the same ingredients for different purposes, obviously the cheaper your final bill will be! 

Another way to get your final bill cheaper is to use a coupon, which I just so happen to have for you! Take $0.50 off of the purchase of TWO 2 Liter bottles or TWO 4-pack cans of 7UP TEN, A&W TEN, Canada Dry TEN, RC TEN or Sunkist TEN soda. Offer available while supplies last, from 3/27-4/17.  For more info, check the Four Ten Calorie DPSG products on Facebook and Twitter

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37 comments :

  1. Hummus and feta is the stuff my sweetest dreams are made of.

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  2. I always try and pack my own lunch for work and these are some great ideas. Hummus makes an appearance in my lunch several times a week, so good on a salad as well.

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  3. holy crap. this is really good. i don't want to post mine now because this is too good. and i really do want to eat everything you listed.

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  4. As per usual I wish those soft drinks were available in Canada! I eat pretty healthy and avoid most sugary snacks and hidden sugary foods but soda is my weakness. I still only drink a glass a day and it's probably more like a can or two each week but I know they're such empty calories!

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  5. Oh hello delicious lunch options. This knocks my lunch meat, carrots and apple out of the park.

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  6. hahaha your 'eat it.' instructions are cracking me up, love it.

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  7. I love this post!!! I am all about not eating out for lunch to be healthier and save $$$$. These are great!

    Tell me how to make your cute little collages with the words and arrows and such. I'm not good at this stuff but U want to learn and I just got Photoshop Elements... but I'm still clueless lol

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  8. YUM! awesome ideas. pinning this for later...because you can only eat so many turkey sandwiches in a week! xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  9. My favorite "soda" to drink is Seltzer water with Crystal Light Citrus packs that you put in water. Literally like 5 calories, and non of the disgusting high fructose corn syrup..but you still get the fun fizz!

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  10. These all look really good and healthy. I definitely want to have a sexy beach bod and not be all flabby and gross. I posted my newest workout challenge on my blog, I highly recommend it for legs, butt and abs!

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  11. As I sit here eating my crappy frozen lunch, I really wish my lunch looked like any of these! Yum!

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  12. Those sodas might only be 10 calories, but all the sugar/high fructose corn syrup is awful for you. :/

    Water with lemon and cucumber and mint (all fresh) tastes delicious and is good for you!

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  13. Everything loos delicious and healthy! Great choices!

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  14. I was just thinking I needed some good lunch ideas- love these! Will definitely be trying the cucumber unwich next week. Thanks!

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  15. Those look great! I tend to eat the same things for days in a row (dinner leftovers). Having a special lunch food would be fun! I might just have to try that!

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  16. These are making me hungry! Awesome ideas and love the pictures! Now time to eat!

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  17. Love these ideas and they are SOOO simple! I have been meaning to jazz up my lunches but haven't found the time. I would add that the morningstar chik patties are delightful when topped with a slice of melted muenster--not too many calories and lots of protein and calcium!

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  18. Sarah, look at how fancy you are and how great this is! I can't get over the little pom-pom toothpicks in Monday's meal. <3

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  19. Love all things!! you just made my grocery list for this week!! Also so helpful!!

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  20. Freaking awesome post! Must try ALL out! =] xx.

    www.beautyandlouise.com

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  21. Haha! Love your "addition" to the post title :) I love me some apple and peanut butter. I eat it at least 5 days a week! Laughing cow cheese is some good stuff too! :) Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. I'm really lovin' the additional/extended post title.

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  23. I'm not a huge fan of "fizzy drinks," but sometimes I drink Zevia when I have a craving for root beer. These meals look delish! As always, this post is so colourful and creative. I'm obsessed.

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  24. I love how you fixed pictures with each meal..
    Fun idea..
    I am now following you & cannot wait to know you better! Your blog is too cute..

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  25. I can't stand how much it costs to eat out for lunch! I'm definitely the type to pack a lunch but I don't usually get this creative!

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  26. going to have to try a few of these recipe out.

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  27. Love your good uses of cucumber instead of bread! Stealing this idea - thanks!

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  28. Love this! And how I wish I had your graphic design skills.

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  29. These all look so freakin delish! I'm hungry...lunch time.

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  30. These all sound so amazing and chef-ish. I'm totally going to use these ideas!

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  31. Thank you for this post!! It's literally super helpful for a college student like me!

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  32. Every single one of these makes my tummy rumble! I can't wait to try all of these.

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  33. YUM YUM! These are all so yummy!!

    -AJ
    OccasionallyAJ.com

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  34. this looks delicious!! I just discovered hummus a few weeks ago (i know, where have i been?!) and I´m definitely going to try some of these lunches.

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