Lunch Box - packed lunch for grown ups!

Buying your lunch is a huge money-drain, especially if you do it 5 days a week. But the whole idea of a "packed lunch" takes us back to our school days - peanut butter sandwiches and soggy salad rolls!

But it doesn't have to be like that. Check out our lunchbox tips for snazzy, tasty lunches that wont break the bank!

Gourmet Lunch Salad

Your favorite salad greens*, torn or whole according to your preference.
Diced ripe tomato
If avocado is in season, and cheap, add a quarter!
Cook pumpkin in the microwave and cube, Add to your salad.
If you like cheese, add your favorite sharp-tasting cheese, or feta, crumbled or grated
Think about adding steamed baby asparagus spears, corn kernels, or any other favorite vegetable in season
Take balsamic dressing in a separate bottle and add at lunchtime - tasty!

Turkish wrap

Spread a wrap or pita bread with hummus. Add a thin layer of cooked chicken, salami or ham, top with cottage cheese, salad greens and grated carrot. Roll up, wrap in cling wrap, and it will be fresh and tasty for lunch.

Sweet Treat

Buy your favorite in-season fruit - strawberries, cherries, pears, apples, oranges, bananas. Slice into a container and top with a punnet of mixed-berry yoghurt. For something a little more filling, top with a lightly toasted muesli.

This is a great one for school lunch boxes too.

Vege Dip

This is a top selection for many diet lunches. Take one punnet low-fat cottage cheese and a selection of sliced veges for dipping.
Carrots are always a favorite, but try broccoli, cauliflower and celery too!

For added flavour, try these cottage cheese variations:

• Herbed: finely chop your favorite fresh herb (we love mint, dill and chives) and stir through
• Hawaiian: stir through a half tin of crushed pineapple (choose the kind in natural juice!)
• Chilli: Stir through a tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce

Let us know your own cottage cheese favorite!


TOP TIP: Buy whole lettuce rather than bagged salad greeens - you'll save more than HALF. Even better, grow your own!