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My work is hosting an all day "retreat" of sorts on Friday - they're going to have breakfast in the morning (coffee, donuts, pastries) and they usually cater lunch. Last year it was tacos, and that was simple enough to try and eat healthy (though at the time I was just avoiding fat...) but I have no idea what they're having this year.

I have some dried fruit and coconut I plan on bringing in baggies for snacking, but is there anything else (and more filling) I can bring that doesn't require refrigeration?

As weird as it will look if I "pack my lunch" so to speak, last weekend was a big cheat for me and house-hunting has left little time for the gym, I can tell I'm gaining weight, so I want to be as rigorous as possible this week.

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12 Answers

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sardines or mackerel! they usually dont require a can opener and you can eat them right out of the tin.

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+1 for my favorite solution. Only issue with sardines is stinkiness -- coworkers and others might not be appreciative. I eat mine alone and furtively. ;) – Rose May 3 2011 at 18:26
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You could always try the pouches of tuna in olive oil. They don't have to be refrigerated and they're not too big. – Erin May 3 2011 at 19:58
I do canned tuna or sardines for breakfast on my "fishy Fridays", usually alone and furtive, before the cubie arrives. – Curmujeon May 4 2011 at 13:01
Canned salmon is my favorite. I keep a few cans in a drawer at work for days I forget to bring my lunch. A squirt of lemon juice really flavors it up. – Lee May 5 2011 at 15:59
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Bring anything you like, if it's just for a day. A lot of times I forget to put my lunch into the refrigerator at work. It's not going to kill you, if it's been out for a few hours. When you took your lunch to school and left it in the locker, did it harm you when you ate it later?

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I think yo're right about that as well...My mother didn't refrigerate a lot of things that nowadays "require" refrigeration (she grew up in germany...not much refrigeration available during the war and even now the fridges are still mostly tiny). I hardly ever got sick growing up and I think we've become a society of uber ridiculous cautious people that want to sanitize, refrigerize and homogenize everything and anything. – Karin May 3 2011 at 16:14
though once you get hit hard and get nasty sick you might feel differently I do agree that most times people worry too much about bits of lack-of-refrigeration. – ben61820 May 3 2011 at 16:16
I had a blue ice in my lunch box though :D – Oranges13 May 3 2011 at 20:44
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faced with situations like this, i tend to … fast.

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seconded, eat a big breakfast and fast through the day would be a decent option. Practice it once to make sure you can do it though because if you break down you'll probably house the donuts they have out. – JakeA May 3 2011 at 17:04
Eh, I wouldn't eat the donuts I know that wouldn't help. I would have to make due with the hot dogs though (found out its hot dogs and salad bar). Could be worse. – Oranges13 May 3 2011 at 20:46
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If you can find some good quality jerky that would be great!

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I usually make my own. It's the BEST! – Curmujeon May 4 2011 at 13:03
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Jerky and canned fish (don't forget a can opener!).

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Try bringing in some beef jerky and some cans of light coconut milk that you can just shake up and chug. Make sure to have a can opener though! Or try fasting through the day.

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Nuts and seeds are really filling... though definitely be sure to eat them in moderation!

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A bit tight on timeframe now, but in the future, look at Pemmican.

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My favorite snack that doesn't require refrigeration is a small sweet potato. I usually go light on the carbs otherwise so just one won't hurt. I just cook it before work, wrap it up in a paper towel, and bring it. No reheating needed either.

I have some protein with it, usually a meat patty (turkey or ground beef) that I cooked in a big batch however long ago and kept in the freezer just for this purpose. It'll be nicely thawed by the time lunch rolls around.

Ditto what others said about the coconut milk. Since I don't make a habit of carrying around a can opener with me, I open a can that morning and pour it into one of these blender bottles (left over from the days when I devoured supplement-based shakes).

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!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have one of those bottles and I totally didn't think to use it for my coconut milk. – Oranges13 May 3 2011 at 20:44
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Get a cheap cooler, essential for paleo anyway if you go shopping for fish or meats.

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Macadamias are great. Also, I will buy some roast beef and just put it in a lunch box. It should last for the day. Applegate farms makes a grassfed version. You could also bring jerkey or hard boiled eggs.

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How about talking to the person who is coordinating and tell them you have some dietary restrictions and would like to know whats being served so you can plan. Generally people have planned several options and I always find something and they are more considerate of you in the future.

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Sounds like hot dogs and a salad bar. :-/ – Oranges13 May 3 2011 at 20:43

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