Buzz
Maybe you're staying in a hotel room without a microwave for a while, or perhaps you're at a location where takeout isn't convenient, but a nearby grocery store offers some decent options for lunch and snacks. What are your best choices? This topic has come up several times in the popular Reddit community, r/EatCheapandHealthy, and here are some of their ideas. I'll also share a few suggestions of my own as we go.
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Bananas, oranges, and apples are all easy to eat fresh and can stay good at room temperature for several days. Peaches, apricots, berries, grapes, and kiwis need more care to ensure they're ripe, and they should ideally be kept in the fridge, though they still make excellent choices.
Many vegetables are great to eat raw as well: peppers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and celery are all popular veggie tray choices. The only catch is that most delicious dips require refrigeration. If you're planning to finish a container of dip in one sitting, it's no issue. Otherwise, peanut butter or just plain veggies work too.
Nut butters
If you have peanut butter and something to spread it on, you're all set. My husband and I struggled with affordable meals during our honeymoon (we were in a country where eating out was pricey) until we decided to stop at a grocery store, grab a loaf of bread, and a jar of peanut butter.
Peanut butter is also a key item in food-assistance programs that help low-income children with food they can prepare and eat independently, without a kitchen or adult help. Spread that peanut butter on bread, crackers, bagels, buns, apple slices, bananas, or if you're feeling adventurous, eat it straight from the spoon. If a jar of jam is too much to store without refrigeration, honey is a great alternative—it stays good for a year unrefrigerated.
In addition to peanut butter, don't forget about almond, cashew, and even sunflower seed butter if you're unable to eat nuts.
Pre-packaged salad
Here's another quick option, and many Reddit users admitted they've eaten a salad kit straight from the bag. Just toss the dressing and toppings right in, and if you'd like, add some tuna, tofu, or another source of protein.
Pouch meals
In addition to the familiar tuna pouches, you can often find shelf-stable pouches containing ready-to-eat options like lentils, beans, and rice. These are typically designed to be heated in the microwave or boiled in water, but check the labels—many can be eaten without any preparation. If lukewarm lentil stew isn't your thing, try scooping it up with some bread.
Canned goods
Canned foods are pre-cooked, so if you're okay with eating them at room temperature, you have plenty of options. Try a three-bean salad or a corn and bean salsa, or mix up your own cold salad using your favorite veggies and a pre-made dressing.
Cheeses and cured meats
Why not create a mini charcuterie board? Hard cheeses, cured meats like pepperoni, and a variety of pickles will stay good at room temperature for quite a while—which is actually why they were originally made that way. While you shouldn't leave hard cheeses out of the fridge for more than four hours, some cheeses can last longer. If it starts to look unappetizing, it's time to toss it.
Trail mix
Sticking with the theme of shelf-stable foods, trail mix is another brilliant option that we could all probably eat more often. Typically made with nuts and dried fruit, trail mix lasts for months in a sealed bag, packs in plenty of vitamins and fiber, and doesn't need refrigeration or cooking. If you're on a tight budget, just grab two basic ingredients and make the classic, low-cost trail mix: GORP (Good Old Raisins & Peanuts).
