I'm gearing up for commuting to work at least two times per week on my bike. Maybe more if the wife will do some more of the "kid taxi" business.

I need ideas on what I can bring to and store at work for my commuting days. I really don't want to haul my lunch on a backpack on the days I commute, so I'll, hopefully, be bringing my lunch to work on the days that I drive here.

What are some good, long-storing, low cost, easy to prepare, healthy foods that I can leave here at work? We've got a fridge/freezer, microwave, toaster oven and toaster to work with.

I eat A LOT of food everyday, so the more ideas the merrier!

My usual daily work-grazing consists of:

3 homemade whole wheat rolls
1 apple
1 banana
1 pear
2 carrots
3 celery stalks
1 can o' tuna
handful of raw broccoli/cauliflower
cup of cottage cheese

I may need to up this a little on the days I commute (15 miles each way) because I'm not trying to loose weight.

I don't mind cooking up a batch of stuff that will last me a few days in the fride either, I'm a pretty good cook when I need to be.

I'd also appreciate any tips on foods that don't work well.

PH

Hi PH,

I'm sure you'll get a lot of feedback with a nick like "PH"

I go with simplicity...port yogurt, and eat with granola. It's pretty easy to take in to work, and if I feel greedy, I can add a granola bar to it.

It also has the advantage of being cheap.

cheers,
Tom

I just bring in my usual lunch and change of clothes in the panniers. I usually have soup (in thermos) and/or sandwich(s), fruit and yogurt. The pannier doesn't add that much weight and it gives you some room to put stuff in that you may need last minute. If you're concerned about avoiding a bike rack, you might check out a carridice bag that connects to the seat post.

John,
If you bring the listed items to work will your co-workers "help" you eat it or will they leave it alone?

If you are asking for help with meal planning, just bring what you like to eat for both lunches and snacks. Sounds like you eat pretty healthy. :thumbup:

When I commute I eat my "normal" lunch but have a granola bar and fruit about 1 to 1-1/2 hours before I leave work. My commute is like yours, about 15 miles.

Hi John, sounds like you have the ideal setup at work for storing and preparing your food.

One way you can do it is to bring in some pasta and/or rice with some sauce, and make up a batch that will last you for a few meals. It's good complex carbs, and supplemented by the other stuff you and the others mentioned will provide you with good fuel for your commute.

You can bring it in if you drive once in a while, or reserve one of your commutes as a "freight" day, and you won't have to load up as much the rest of the time. The same with extra clothes etc. that you need to change into.

Ron, my co-workers won't touch my rations. I work in a small office (7 people) and we're good about not eating each others goodies. I'm thinking that becuse I'll have a week's worth, I may need to stake a claim on one of the veggie crispers so I'm not hogging the whole fridge.

Aerobat - I like the idea of freight day!

PH

Is there a bakery or store within 5mins cycling distance of your work ? You can stop off on the way, or take a gentle lunchtime ride.
Otherwise, get a pannier/saddle bag big enough to carry lunch. With longer commutes, I usually get the munchies by 11:00 and scoff all my sandwiches in mid morning break.

I must admit that if I can get up early enough, I like to have porridge before my 13 mile commute, but normally I just manage a couple of bananas and a breakfast bar, washed down with coffee (I can't face anything else at 6.30 am.)

I tend to get a honey, apple and banana sandwich at lunch with a cup of soup and a roll.

If I carry stuff in, I do it on the day I am to eat it. Food doesn't weigh much compared to the towel shower stuff etc I also carry.

I try and have a couple of slices of toast or a bagel before I leave of a morning. The few times I tried bring sandwiches I ended up eating them mid-morning, and then going out to buy lunch. Now I just try and hold on until lunch-time when I hit the baguette shop or wholefood store.

I find cycling has increased my appetite to the point where I've stopped losing the weight I hoped to lose, but I get to eat more and remain roughly the same shape...

Richard

I run 5 or 6 miles at lunch, except for times when I'm injured like now, so going somewhere for lunch really won't work out for me.

I've been doing protein/banana/coffee shakes for breakfast, but that seemed to unsettle my stomach when I jumped on the bike and rode for an hour. May have to use some of y'alls suggestions for breakfast.

PH

I usually have a big bowl of breakfast cereal in the morning before doing anything else. Salad sandwiches at lunchtime will keep you going for the rest of the day (if you eat enough of them).

I find a bowl of cereals is great, though I only have a 6 - 7 mile round trip and I can't start without my caffiene fix. :cool:

I have found that natural peanut butter on whole-grain bread goes a long way. (Kr*ger brand natural peanut butter is the only one I've found that doesn't take a century to stir in the oil. It may seem a bit less thick, but that won't hurt you.) I also like apples, carrots, rice, beans, tomatoes, orange juice, nuts...
incidentally, many nuts, including peanuts, contain lots of protein and vitamin E (and monounsaturated oils, which are supposed to be good for your arteries.) Just don't eat too many nuts, as they're high in calories.

I don't avoid meat, but I don't eat it soon before riding, either.
Adequate protein and carbs are important for rebuilding muscle tissue (after the ride.)

I didn't ride to lose weight, but I lost it anyway. My daily caloric intake was designed to provide me enough nutrition and food energy to keep me going.