so I need to cut costs like WAY back so I thought I would start would start with bringing things to eat on instead of buying things along the way. I have trips out of town and a transportation service takes me.gas stations are all there aloud to stop at other than wherever im going.

Rules: no peanuts or peanut butter(in case the driver is allergic) can not leave anything in vehicle(you may not get the same driver that brought you) pack light(cause you going to be carrying everything you brought with you) depending on which transport service I get(I do not get to choose my insurance pays and chooses) some don't allow you to eat or drink anything in the vehicle.so I would have to eat outside the building im going to if they don't have a cafeteria..

Health factors: low blood sugar(me) Doctor told me stay away from high sodium content Calcium deficiency(other person) chokes easily the passage in throat is narrow(other person)

I have some bottled water and some on the go mix ins that you add to the water.. was thinking about using a tote bag to put everything in.. other than that im kinda stumped.

Ive never made a lunch before.. I don't think I have have a lunch boxes.. I know I need leak proof ones..

If I was to cook something to bring on the trips I wouldn't be able to reheat it. (most of the places I go do not have a cafeteria)

Also my cooking sources are very limited.. a electric skillet and a microwave. so it's not like I can make muffins and pack them..

Also I don't have a way of getting to the stores so everything I buy comes from online. Transport is only for medical unless I want to pay out of pocket and I can't afford that.

I always like granola bars to eat on the go. Or those fruit bars that only have a few ingredients. Putting cereal in little baggies is also a good way to go. Or dried fruit.

I just want to say as well, as someone with a nut allergy, it's wonderful of you to think of the driver and what allergies they may have. Not many people would be that thoughtful!

Sandwiches seem to be the easiest to make, pack and transport. You can wrap them in paper, wrapping plastic thing [i forgot its name] or aluminum foil -depending on preferences and possibilities. Clean and small plastic bags can also be used. Sandwiches are also lightweight, and you don't really leave things behind as the wrapping can easily be stored in your bag until you find a trash bin.

this is the "lunch" i had with me when i had full time employment. Sometimes i had cooked rice in a small plastic container [like the ones used for storing stuff in the fridge], but having a fork or a spoon is mandatory, and they don't always stay wrapped >.> Could be messy and you might need to put everything in a plastic bag to prevent leaks [because even my rice somehow leaked. plus i got used to always put stuff in plastic bags if i know the container could somehow get open, or break.... it's something granny taught me]

Ah, I JUST went through this change about 6 months ago-- I used to work as a restaurant manager and always had food/means of cooking it nearby, but I switched jobs in October and now have to pack my lunch everyday! Here's what I've discovered works great:

-Granola bars -Fruit like grapes, an apple, or clementines-- easy to transport and not a lot of mess! -Wraps/Sandwiches -Yogurt (as someone else mentioned.. silverware is necessary) -Cheezits or other snack-like crackers or chips -Pasta salad (might be more difficult to cook with your arrangements, but I'm pretty sure most boxed brands have microwave directions as well)

For the wraps/sandwiches I normally will just buy some turkey, american cheese, lettuce, and regular bread or wrap. Cost-wise, that'll run you about $10 and should be good for almost two weeks worth of sandwiches.. I will sometimes mix it up and get chicken salad though too (same cost differential)! Some of the things will need a small ice pack to keep it cold, but you can buy one of those at just about any grocery store for a buck or two.

im eerie on anything that needs to stay cold.Some of my appointments are 2 hour drive just getting there..and if I get the company that doesn't allow you to eat in the vehicle then that's 2 hours of the food sitting in the vehicle.Gas station stops are 1 on the way to the place im going an sometimes 1 on the way back..there like long enough to use the bathroom and jump back in vehicle.

Also I don't have a way of getting to the stores so everything I buy comes from online. Transport is only for medical unless I want to pay out of pocket and I can't afford that. I also got denied again for food stamps.even though I am disabled they said I make just a hair to much like less than 30 dollars to much. So my food budget monthly is less than $40.00. now think about that.. Time I pay taxes and shipping Im basically getting nothing..

If I could have gotten food stamps then I could have used them at some of the gas stations that take them. so I could have gotten some stuff and put in my tote bag for my house such as soda,boxed milk(shelf stable of course),canned items,ect. you see what im saying.

Sandwiches are generally fine for 2 hours not being refrigerated.

what im saying is I can't go to the store and buy bread and things. also no one in my area delivers..so I can't get fresh stuff.So no bread(unless I find a way to make it myself),no cheese,no meat(unless it's canned).

I was thinking about starting a small garden in pots you know the kind that don't need to be put in the ground..but then I got thinking about it I have to have leg surgery and wouldn't be able to bend and take care of the plants or move them if any bad weather hits. Maybe after im healed up and the doctor releases me from his care I will do this.Seen some planter friendly lettuce and I think I seen some planter friendly tomatoes..These of course are seed packets ive been looking at.(shipping actual plants would be expensive)

oh, my appologies - i didn't fully understand that.

the garden idea is wonderful! [i also thought about starting one, but it's not the right time now for me] You could place the pots on a table with wheels, like the type they used to serve tea on. well, depending on how big the pots are..

The garden thing will have to wait when I have my surgery I will be on crutches and on weight limit of nothing heavier than my purse. When I do it im just going to set the planters on my porch I don't have any outside furniture.I will have to keep them away from my cat so I will have to figure out how to store them for winter..(my cat thinks indoor plants are a litter box).I have a outside building but it has no electric no nothing its just a building with a door and a window.wonder if i could store them in there during the frost or would they just die due to lack of sun..

anyway on the lunch thing so far im getting nowhere.. been browsing online stores but some things they won't ship to my area or the prices are just to much for me.

@ moon12216 hey, have you seen this site?

this">https://www.chowhound.com/post/ideas-lunches-fridge-microwave-827677?page=2]this might also help

I will look through more of those later. seen mostly salads and sandwich ideas which for when I figure the bread thing out and get the garden going those will come in handy...

So far im looking at some snack crackers there square ones with cheese in the middle(i know it's most likely the spray fake cheese but hey I can't get the real stuff).

Also no you don't need silverware for yogurt.they make it in a squeeze pouch and it's shelf stable!

If im on the go in the mornings im thinking some poptarts?

On the go styled food. Pootarts are good, breakfast bars, there's also breakfast biscuits that Wal-Mart sells made with real fruit not a sugared up fruit paste the bars usually get. Think of trial mixes, just the base idea on them and you can customize it to not have nuts or some other items. Maybe consider pretzels? They can be just as salty as the snac, crackers but a 2 dollar bag has pretzels forever vs 2 dollar chips seems gone after 4 or 5 times. The canned fruit or fruit cups? You don't have to keep those cold. For proteins of course canned chicken or tuna would be the go to. However I know there's jerky and other dried meats but idk how budget friendly they are... if you don't mind cold soup there's the soup on the go or something like the Campbell's chunky where no water is really needed to have it be an edible flavor. Puddings are good too. Really any canned item that has an easy open ring tab so long as you're ok with it cold.

These were ideas I had from around my own kitchen