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Alternative to sandwiches

(32 Posts)
Allsorts Sun 15-Jun-25 08:07:04

Has anyone made pasta lunch pots or rice pots as an alternative to sandwiches, if so have you the recipe please.

johnharley43 Tue 15-Jul-25 10:19:12

If you're looking for a sandwich alternative, wraps or salads are great choices. You can even check <a href="https://mcdsmenuwithprices.com/" target="_blank">McDonald's senior menu with prices</a>; they offer smaller, affordable meals perfect for variety!

craftybrat Thu 10-Jul-25 15:33:40

I like a bunch of deli "Stuff" in the bento box things. Lots of small boxes with a fitted lid to keep everything separated during travel just as you packed it.

Hummus and carrots, pasta salad, fruit all chopped and ready to eat, crackers and dip, salads with dressing separate until time to eat. If you want something hot, get a really good thermos so nothing cools to much YUK. I have had to pack a lunch for 40 years and I don't often have sandwiches, but I still like a good PBJ. I like to make my sandwiches in tortilla wraps. They don't seem to be as messy when I get around to eating them....

Whitewavemark2 Tue 17-Jun-25 14:43:58

Join ChatGPT and ask it for ideas.

I’ve just joined and it has supplied me with a list of meals - 3 a day with snack less than 1400 cals for an 80 year old. Even gives you a shopping list.

MayBee70 Tue 17-Jun-25 14:30:29

I feel much better if I don’t eat bread, but then slip back into eating it. I wish there was somewhere local that I could get good sourdough from. I’m currently replacing bread with rice cakes.

Granmarderby10 Tue 17-Jun-25 13:53:01

I rather like a sandwich but that is because I don’t eat one every day for lunch. and I’ve started to notice that I don’t feel that good after eating too much …this can depend on the type of bread though.
I have started to notice too (after all these years) that eating Weetabix, and Shreaded Wheat gives me the same feeling.
Still love cornflakes and porridge though.

Back to packed lunches what about scotch eggs and “nice” mayo or pork pie and pickles/chutney, or samosas, or a wide-neck flask with hot meat or veg soup/stews and a chunk of bread?

dalrymple23 Tue 17-Jun-25 13:34:01

Flageolet beans mixed with tuna in vinaigrette. You can throw in tomatoes & spring onions/shallots and some shrubbery on the side, if you find that green is necessary.

Madgran77 Tue 17-Jun-25 06:01:33

I use the microwave grains packs as a base. Make up a salad with chopped or roasted vegs etc plus a bit of feta/goatscheese and some sort of light dressing. Really easy. Grains packs come plain or some are already spiced

FranP Mon 16-Jun-25 22:50:16

Singapore noodles with spring onions, peppers - if you have some way to keep it cool, chopped ham or tuna (I tried salmon, but not my favourite taste)
Beetroot (no vinegar), chopped celery and a little salad cream
Slices of ham and cheese rolled together (protein bomb to make you feel full)
Hummus dip with carrots, celery, bread sticks, chicken skewers ( basically anything to hand to dip in)
Strawberries and melon cubes
Banana pancakes

Floradora9 Mon 16-Jun-25 21:48:23

Astitchintime

🤢 Yuk! The thought of cold pasta turns my stomach. I replace sandwiches with a box of salad including some chickpeas or mixed beans

Cold pasta is better for those watching the glycemic value of foods it is a lot less cold ( even reheated) than eaten hot . I love a pasta salad with prawns and mayonaise.

Astitchintime Mon 16-Jun-25 18:05:52

🤢 Yuk! The thought of cold pasta turns my stomach. I replace sandwiches with a box of salad including some chickpeas or mixed beans

Roddi3363 Mon 16-Jun-25 16:51:07

Oat cakes with hummus,baba ganousch are nice plus tiny tomatoes, cucumber or similar.

Nicolenet Mon 16-Jun-25 16:01:50

Good old ryvita, some cream cheese and salmon slices make a slimming change.

keepingquiet Mon 16-Jun-25 15:29:04

Yes, wraps are great warmed up in hot pan and then fold the filling over. Pitta breads too, just warm in a toaster for a few seconds and pop lovely things in!

Robin202 Mon 16-Jun-25 15:24:29

Another alternative to sandwiches, is a wrap. Fill and fold with any filling you fancy. Lighter than bread.

Cambia Mon 16-Jun-25 13:57:31

Frequently have dustbin lunch especially when clearing the fridge for a holiday! Chop up lots of vegs, mushrooms, peppers, whatever is available, sauté, add a tin of tomatoes, squirt of tomato purée, pouch of lentils ( saucy ones are nice). Put into one portion pots and freeze. Easy to defrost and heat in the microwave for lunch and very healthy.

Witzend Sun 15-Jun-25 13:33:45

In colder weather I’d make some really substantial vegetable soup instead.
TBH I find any cold rice or pasta a bit of an abomination.

ViceVersa Sun 15-Jun-25 13:28:43

keepingquiet

I love sandwiches! They are so easy and practical, as well as healthy depending on the ingredients, including lots of healthy salad. I'm just not getting why you'd go to the trouble of cooking pasta or rice instead?
Maybe it's just me?

Like I say, sometimes you might just feel like a change - when I make pasta salad, it's usually if we've had pasta anyway, and I cook a bit extra so I have some left over to make salad with, so there's no additional cooking involved. Same with roasted veg, I make more than we need then use the leftovers to have along with couscous.

silverlining48 Sun 15-Jun-25 13:23:36

I think most diets agree that bread should be cut to a minimum. You can get 400 g loaves which are half the size of a normal loaf, it helps.
I like sandwiches but try to avoid if I can.

keepingquiet Sun 15-Jun-25 12:48:38

I love sandwiches! They are so easy and practical, as well as healthy depending on the ingredients, including lots of healthy salad. I'm just not getting why you'd go to the trouble of cooking pasta or rice instead?
Maybe it's just me?

JamesandJon33 Sun 15-Jun-25 10:49:30

We don’t eat much bread,so a sandwich is a treat. Lunches … home made veggie soup. Greens, broccoli, courgettes with fried halloumi and nuts and seeds is a favourite. Plus courgetti with different sauces.

welbeck Sun 15-Jun-25 10:28:18

I just buy them.
They are available in most shops even small ones in filling stations and corner shops.
Supermarkets have a wider range.

ViceVersa Sun 15-Jun-25 09:26:47

keepingquiet

I don't know the reason for substituting bread with pasta?

Couscous is just another form of pasta.

There is nothing wrong with good quality bread- it is the amount of it you eat that matters.

Sometimes you just fancy a change from sandwiches!

NotSpaghetti Sun 15-Jun-25 09:18:41

keepingquiet - I didn't think this was an anti-bread issue, I assumed it was a "ring the changes" issue.

NotSpaghetti Sun 15-Jun-25 09:16:53

There are 3 parts to the article- the 2nd one has filo pastry - I like left over filo pies in a lunch box and also gingery noodles.

keepingquiet Sun 15-Jun-25 09:12:41

I don't know the reason for substituting bread with pasta?

Couscous is just another form of pasta.

There is nothing wrong with good quality bread- it is the amount of it you eat that matters.