I think this is the hardest thing to plan for and shop for. If I get out a snack during the day, I always end up eating too much, and then my lunch becomes something like pita chips and hummus. I consider that a yummy snack, but not good enough for a whole lunch. What do you buy for snacks, and how do you make sure you don't just sit down and eat the whole thing?

I'm keeping your earlier post about 5 meals a day in mind as I read this. Why isn't pita and hummus a good lunch? Sure, a fruit/veg would be nice but you've got a great protein and carb thing going there. Is it not filling enough? It could be that you're just hungrier at morning snack than at lunch. It could be your body is considering this an early lunch and you're eating more because of it. Give it a couple weeks and you'll probably even out a bit. Or, it may be that mid morning is when you really need the calories and you'll stick to a lighter lunch. That works too. As long as you try to get in a fruit/veg, carb, and protein at every meal you should be fine.

What I do to avoid eating a lot at one time is just buy a bag of whatever snack I want and then divide it into ziplock bags. That way, when you grab one, it´s just a small amount. Otherwise it´s really tempting to eat the whole package! This works well for my kids too, they eat the smaller portions and I don´t have to go clean up what they didn´t want and dumped on the floor.

You could do this with veggies or fruit, too. Just cut it up the night before or in the morning and put it into individual bags or containers in the fridge.

we do the same thing in our home Genesis- it works so well- helps me out alot too for packing my sons lunches and daily snacks for school!

My problem with the hummus lunch wasn't the hummus part, it's the pita chip part...I don't think of chips as a good meal. I often do put hummus on a slice of bread and have it as a small lunch. Sometimes I forget that hummus isn't really junk food even though it tastes so dang good!

I like the idea of packing fruits and veggies in snack sized bags. I know I'll be using that tip. Thanks!

you can use whole grain pita and hummus and add some veggies for a 'hummus pita sandwich' and make it a full on lunch! (great now i am hungry for that for lunch!)

but the point is snacks. i am terrible at snacks. and prepwork for that matter! what are good snacks to take the the office? i need something healthy that does not require refrigeration...

i suppose i could purchase fruit... that just seem so... easy! can't possibly be good if it is that easy... hahaha

other ideas?