Make it a habit to bring your lunch to work.

With these quick and easy solutions, bringing your lunch to work is a breeze.

When you're hungry, how often do you just grab whatever's there, even relying on a vending machine for your noon meal? With the following packing techniques, you may revitalize your lunch, save money, and eat healthier:

To boost your energy, eat foods from a variety of dietary groups. Lunches should consist of fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, yogurt, or cheese, whole-grain bread, cereal, pasta, or brown rice, and lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs, or beans.

Consider alternatives to the standard sandwich and chips. Fill whole-grain pita bread with sliced chicken, cucumbers, red onion, low-fat feta cheese, and a small amount of light dressing. Cut-up fruits are used to make kebabs, which are served with a low-fat yogurt dip. Sandwiches made with peanut butter can be replaced with sunflower-seed butter or another nut or seed spread.

Isn't there a microwave? It's no problem. Use an insulated vacuum container, such as a thermos, to keep hot items hot. For a hearty supper on a cold day, fill with hot stew, chili, vegetable soup, or leftovers.

Have some simple brown-bag solutions on hand. Try whole-grain pasta salad with chicken, veggies, and shredded Parmesan cheese with low-fat pudding and a crisp apple, or whole-grain pasta salad with chicken, vegetables, and shredded Parmesan cheese with whole-grain crackers, crunchy raw vegetables, and a handful of grapes. Another alternative is to make a sandwich with hummus, sliced tomatoes, and reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese on whole-grain bread. For a complete dinner, add a handful of baked potato chips and a fresh pear.

Rejuvenate your leftovers. Don't throw away leftovers from the day before; convert them into a delicious meal! Vegetables, such as a serving of broccoli or a handful of baby spinach, can be added to pasta meals. Add your favorite raw veggies or protein to salads, such as a cooked egg, chicken, or tofu.

If you aren't already in the practice of packing lunches, it can be difficult. Look within yourself to identify potential roadblocks to achievement and devise strategies that can help you overcome them... While you're at it, save money!