| Author | Message | ||
     Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater  Post Number: 2529 Registered: 10-2004 |
I never know what to eat in the mornings. I am usually running late to work (in the city) and have recently become flummoxed on what to eat. It's a quandry for me. I just don't know what to do. I'm a picky eater already, and breakfast on workdays are really difficult for me. I don't wake up early enough to prepare breakfast at home, and I don't really forsee myself changing this aspect of myself to solve this problem. In fact, I'm lucky if I can wake up even a half hour before I need to leave the house. My usual options (in the past) have been a banana and yogurt, but I have yet to find a place that has my favorite yogurt on the way to work. There is an Amish Market an avenue out of my way but going there makes me an additional 15 minutes late to work. I will sometimes grab a flavor I don't like at a deli, but only rarely does this jazz me enough to want to even do it. So I fall back on the coffee cart. Bad for me donut, merely passable coffee. DIRT CHEAP. I used to find the coffee cart so disgusting I would never even consider going there (and at times I still feel this way). But the convenience is unmistakable. Don't know what to eat, there it is. Occassionally, I will stop and get breakfast in Grand Central Station. It makes me only a little late to work and my options here are a good bagels at Mendy's, which I like but I only seem to want bread for breakfast about once a week. Alternate options are expensive Donut Plant donuts at Dishes which really isn't good for me or a muffin. And there is a chocolate croissant at Peppe Rosso. All of these options when you factor in coffee cost me about $4-5 for breakfast and excluding the bagel and muffin (aren't particularly healthy). I don't mind spending that for breakfast but admittedly that is alot of cash to drop every year on food that isn't even particularly healthy for me. What compounds this problem is that I don't usually take lunch at work. I'm either too busy or too lazy to make it out of the office to eat most days. This often means I'm making it through a full day on just a coffee and a small donut until dinner time which often is as late at 8:30 or 9:30PM. Food has never been a priority for me but this is sort of getting ridiculous. TS knows of my bad habits (and tries to help pack me breakfast to take to work occassionally) and demands I change my habits and take better care of myself. Yet I haven't thought of a solution. I'm not sure if this post is a cry for help or just a place for me to cry over my culinary woes. >>sigh<< | ||
| Joanne G Citizen Username: Joanne Post Number: 545 Registered: 10-2004 |
I've just started schlepping an apple with me - I seem to keep the same kinds of mealtime habits as you (no real breakfast, intend to get something healthier during the morning, run out of time then it's even too late for lunch), so a granny smith on my desk is starting to help. I'm also tryng to not drink as much cheap coffee at work, switching to chai or black tea, or - gasp! - water now that Spring is almost here. (And they're building the McCafe right next door!!!!!!! My colleagues are so happy aobut that, I just shudder.) | ||
| I'm Only Sleeping Citizen Username: Imonlysleeping Post Number: 241 Registered: 8-2005 |
Could you buy some cereal and make yourself a bowl when you get to the office? Or stock up on instant oatmeal packets. | ||
| Project 37 Citizen Username: Project37 Post Number: 297 Registered: 3-2006  |
Buy a box of Quaker oatmeal packets and keep it at your desk. They're reasonably healthy (whole grains, low in fat, and the low-sugar versions are surprisingly tasty). Shot of hot water and you're good to go. That's what I do, anyway  EDIT: I'm Only Sleeping - great minds, eh? | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 2796 Registered: 8-2003  |
Alley - I like yogurt in the morning, too. And I am picky. I find that it's easier (and cheaper) to buy 5 containers when I am grocery shopping over the weekend and bring it with me to work. This way, I know I will be happy with what I have! I also buy extra fruit to bring with me, so I don't have buy it in the city. I usually pack a full breakfast: one can V8 Vegetable juice, one container yogurt, 2 pieces of fruit. I also make my own ice coffee and bring that with me on the train. I get the V8 in cases at CostCo. Also a MUCH cheaper option than buying in the city | ||
| BGS Supporter Username: Bgs Post Number: 1257 Registered: 10-2003 |
At home I would have a bowl of cereal and fruit or an egg white omelet...Monday thru Friday that is not an option...I buy VitaMuffin tops online and have them in the freezer...They are great with a cup of coffee and a banana - filling and healthy. The muffin tops are 100 calories each and are loaded with vitamins and fiber. Great quick no mess breakfast that I eat at my desk. | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2530 Registered: 10-2004 |
Packet oatmeals are a very good suggestion. TS packs me yogurts quite often for breakfast which is great MOST of the year, but kinda gross in the summer. By the time I get to my desk (over an hour later) it's quite warm, which I find offensive. I will throw it in the freezer at work but it's a bother. So I've asked TS to put me on a yogurt break for the remainder of the summer. Cooler weather will help my problem dramatically I think. For some reason, I find eating the banana and yogurt on the train a serious hassle. I've tried to snarf it down between the jitney drop off and train departure but that sorta sux too, which is why I wait 'til I get to my desk. Also breakfast in from of MOL is so much more respectable, don't you think? I know I'm picky, so I know I'm the problem, but I am surprised that there aren't better breakfast options in NYC. Although I'm not sure what better breakfast options necessarily looks like. I also have a new work subsidized cafeteria accessible to me across the street from my work starting Sept. 5. Thank you CondeNast. I wonder if that might help out my breakfast AND lunch problems. I'm certainly hoping. | ||
| Wendy Supporter Username: Wendy Post Number: 3025 Registered: 5-2001 |
I like a high fiber cereal for breakfast. I put a combination of mini shredded wheat and kashi puffs in a plastic container and when I get into the office I purchase a 1/2pint of non-fat milk. I pour it into the cereal container at my desk and I'm ready to go. I also would love to eat before I leave for work but I don't allow any more time usually beyond my one and only LARGE cup of coffee which I brew and drink first thing in the morning before I do anything else. Bringing fruit as a mid-day snack should also help you Alley. I can't imagine going all day with only a small breakfast and no dinner till 8 or so. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 2797 Registered: 8-2003 |
" By the time I get to my desk (over an hour later) it's quite warm, which I find offensive. I will throw it in the freezer at work but it's a bother. " I have a small insulated "lunch box", keeps everything cold enough for the commute | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 3219 Registered: 9-2002  |
Granola or power bars are an easy take along that don't require refrigeration. Agree with the grossness of eating yogurt on the train. And where the heck would you put the banana peel? Yuck. But if I were you I'd work on a "lifestyle change" and start bringing breakfast and lunch to work in a lunch box (preferably insulated as Pippi said). Much better for your wallet AND your health. I put mine together when I'm doing the kids' lunches every night. I probably save about $100 a month this way. | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4591 Registered: 7-2002  |
freeze the yogurt the night before, then it should be fine by the time you get to work. | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2531 Registered: 10-2004 |
I like the freezing the yogurt idea. That seriously might work. Breakfast cereal is also a good idea. The problem usually lies in the milk. But conceivably I could go to the Amish Market, buy a box of cereal and a quart of milk. I'm not sure I'm dedicated enough to go weekly to the supermarket however. But certainly a worthwhile option to explore. TS just read this thread and is preparing to take seriously drastic measures. The point of this thread wasn't to make TS feel bad or make extra work. It's NOT TS' responsibility to solve my food problems (or any other kind of problem) all of the time. But I appreciate the concern. This really isn't life or death though, more like a little rant/vent. | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 2634 Registered: 7-2003 |
Are there Coworkers in the same situation? A cult of girls here all have 1 day to bring in Fruit / yogurt / Oatmeal. Then they know Tuesday I HAVE to get fruit from somewhere, but the rest of the week I'm set. And they're only late once a week. | ||
| danielle davis Citizen Username: Ddavis Post Number: 19 Registered: 7-2004 |
buy the yogurt shakes or drinks to drink while waiting for the jitney. i just shove a straw through the foil top and hand it to my kid and she drinks it in the car on the way to school. just as filling as regular yogurt and no mess. just toss it when you get to the train station. | ||
| mantram Citizen Username: Mantram Post Number: 257 Registered: 8-2003  |
I keep an assortment of dried fruit and nut containers in my desk drawer, and I graze on them occasionally till I get to lunchtime. | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2533 Registered: 10-2004 |
It's been a while since I did this, but I too would buy nuts from Trader Joes and stash them in my drawer for snacking. The problem then arises when I would eat LITERALLY a half pound of nuts AS my breakfast/lunch. I guess it's better than nothing. I am a HUGE fan of the Trader Joes dried slab apricots. And usally have a bag floating around the house. Maybe I should start buying them to bring to work too. I've done the dried apricots and almonds for breakfast numerous times. | ||
| Spare_o Supporter Username: Spare_o Post Number: 446 Registered: 9-2003 |
I keep a stash of granola bars in my desk for times that I need a snack. It would get tiring every day as breakfast or lunch but it could be a part of a rotation. | ||
| phyllis Citizen Username: Phyllis Post Number: 575 Registered: 6-2001 |
Are you able/willing to get to a deli with a salad bar in the am near your office? At a nutrionist's suggestion, I had four breakfast possibilities, and three were possible at the deli around the corner. I have to watch my intake of sugar, so yogurt is generally out for me, unless it has artificial sweetner. These are all fairly high protein, healthy carb options: 1 - 2 hard boiled eggs and a side of cantelope 2- a small container of 1% cottage cheese with a ton of berries 3 - 2 eggs and cheese on whole wheat toast. At home I eat Kashi Go Lean. I would pick up on way in and eat at my desk. | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2536 Registered: 10-2004 |
Phyllis, those are all VERY VERY REASONABLE suggestions. If I wasn't a horrible freak they would all be perfect. Unfortunately I am damaged right down to my core. The picky eater in me could never stomach boiled eggs, cottage cheese or even eggs on toast. To top it off, I'm vegetarian. I'm a mess. I really am. I admit it freely. | ||
| phyllis Citizen Username: Phyllis Post Number: 576 Registered: 6-2001 |
We all have our things....... for a while (while seeing that nutritionist) I was eating these tofu jerky things that made everyone around me frightened and sick to their stomach. Looked like little dog pies, if you know what I mean. I will say one thing about cottage cheese. I can only eat one brand, one type and that's the Friendship 1% and not the whipped kind. I find all other brands/flavors/textures gross. If you are still seeking at some point, maybe think about giving cottage cheese another try (you mentioned drinking milk, so I assume you are not vegan)and try different kinds. I also meant to mention that Kings and Whole Foods sells that natura brand yogurt with the grains in it(do I have the name right?) It's awesome and sweet, but not too sweet. | ||
| Stephanie N. Citizen Username: Stephanie_n Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2006 |
I've been eating breakfast at my desk for the past ten years. I am lucky enough that we have a kitchenette with full sized fridge on each floor. I bring in a box of cereal every Monday. Since you don't seem to have the fridge option, maybe you can just buy a small container of milk at a bodega on your way to work in the morning?? My husband isn't lucky enough to have a fridge - he just stashes a cereal bar & a granola bar in his pocket before he heads out the door. | ||
| NFK Citizen Username: Nfk Post Number: 120 Registered: 9-2003 |
I never liked Cottage Cheese but I learned a neat trick - I put it in the blender to make it smooth like yogurt/pudding. PERFECT. I too will only buy friendship. Lots of protein, low in calories and fat. FiberOne has a GREAT muffin recipe on their box and you add blueberries/raspberries to them. High fiber and sweet, low in calories. Very easy to make. I freeze them and by the time I get to work, they are ready. I too try to eat a little protein with breakfast but I'm not help here as it's a challenge for me, too. | ||
| CuriosityAndTheCat Citizen Username: Melodelfe Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2006 |
I found something cool to do with yogurt(plus its quite quick). All you do is put some granola in your vanilla yogurt, and it tastes great, you should try it. | ||
| Psychomom Citizen Username: Psychomom Post Number: 629 Registered: 5-2005  |
I found that 7-11 and Quik Chek have cut up fruit salad which I have been grabbing a lot lately. Also, I'm not fond of milk on my cereal (I can hear the groans now) so I have found some cereal that can be finger food...like frosted mini wheats and I pour out a portion and put in a sandwich baggie...eat at my desk all morning feels like snacking but much healthier and less calories. I like to keep various varieties of the 100 calorie snackpacks on hand. Slimfast shakes are ok too...I drink them in the car on the way to work sometimes. | ||
| Alleygater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 2678 Registered: 10-2004 |
A quick update: This morning, I had two packets of Quaker instant oatmeal (one peach and the other strawberry) along with a banana and a coffee from the deli. Very filling, relatively tasty and pretty cheap. I also brought in a whole bunch of these Kashi bars and microwavable popcorn for afternoon snacks (and admittedly for days when I am just too lazy to leave for lunch). Point being? Thanks to you guys (and TS) my food situation has gotten just a little bit less horrible. Thanks. |
