Mighty Well
  • Shop
  • Learn
  • Journal
  • Join Us
  • Who We Are

Mighty Well

  • Shop
  • Learn
  • Journal
  • Join Us
  • Who We Are
Chronic IllnessGeneral WellnessThe Undefeated

Packing Lunch: 5 Tips for Easy, On-the-Go, Spoonie-Friendly Meals

by Ariela Paulsen September 11, 2019September 12, 2019
written by Ariela Paulsen
Packing Lunch: 5 Tips for Easy, On-the-Go, Spoonie-Friendly Meals

This school year, I am making the switch back to packing my own lunch. I’ve managed to avoid it for years, either walking home for my lunch break, or not teaching in the afternoons at all. Alas, that’s all changing this fall!

Eating lunch at work or school can be complicated for a number of reasons: taking mealtime medications, avoiding allergens, exposing our medical realities to coworkers… and so many more. As a POTS patient, I have to recline during meals, and ideally for 30 minutes after eating. My amazingly understanding supervisor at my new job set up a recliner in the staff kitchen, but I still have to field the daily questions from coworkers wondering why I am lying down while eating, and why I’m pale and quiet. They ask, “are you sick?” as if that weren’t my constant state of being.

Medications are also tough. I not only have pills to take, but also liquid mast cell stabilizers. I LOVE using my Mighty MedPlanner for packing lunch — it can hold all of my bulky meds, as well as an epipen (just in case), Vogmask for the mold in the computer lab, and snacks in case I get hypoglycemic and can’t wait until lunch.

No matter what your journey has looked like, cooking and packing up meals can sap a lot of spoons. Here are my top 5 tips for making healing, easily adaptable, PACKABLE lunches!

1. Make big batches

Going through the process of buying ingredients, cooking, and cleaning up is a lot of work! Doing it every day may not be the best use of your limited energy. So, next time you go to make a meal you love, make a bunch of it! You can use the leftovers for lunches. That way, you get multiple meals out of the same amount of effort.

2. Use your freezer

Not all meals store well in the fridge. Some foods may acquire bacteria or histamine, becoming inflammatory for many people with chronic conditions. So, how do you save the extras from your big batches? Freeze them in single portion-sized containers. For example, I make huge batches of pesto. In a freezer-safe container, I scoop single dollops of pesto, adding layers on top with aluminum foil to separate. Once it’s all frozen, I break apart the dollops and store them all in a container or freezer bag. At the start of the week, I make a big pot of pasta. Each day, I throw pasta, one dollop of pesto, and whatever protein sources I have around, into a container. Easy, healthy, delicious lunch!

You can also use ice trays (they make many sizes) to freeze single servings of sauces, beans, rice, etc. Bringing frozen ingredients also works as a sort of ice pack — frozen cubes of quinoa can keep your salad cool, and will likely be thawed by the time lunch comes around.

Click for another spoonie-friendly food for your freezer!

3. Get the right containers

Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

Having containers that are safe for the freezer and microwave, and fit conveniently in my bag has made my packing process simpler. I especially like containers with built-in ice packs, or that can hold my silverware. My go-to is glass tupperwares with tops that seal well enough to trust throwing it in my bag without spilling.

Jars can also be helpful — airtight so they won’t spill, small and fit nicely in your bag, and microwavable!

4. Follow a routine

Cognitive effort can take a lot out of me, especially if I have a million things to remember to ensure that I’ll make it through the day. I’ve learned to not let my lunch be another source of stress and decision-making. I’ve found a good routine — the same container, same pocket in my bag, and rotate between the same three meals. I might have pasta and pesto for a few days; when that runs out, rice with sauteed veggies, and if all else fails, oatmeal. I never have to think too hard, because I know what lunch will be and exactly how to make it. I know it’s safe for my body, healthy, and filling enough. No decisions, no stress.

5. Prep the night before

Being chronically ill in a culture that values punctuality can be a challenge. Even if you get up two hours early and keep yourself focused on getting out on time, something unexpected can happen. I cringe whenever I think of those days I was staring down the clock while stuck in the bathroom or too fatigued and dizzy to get off the couch. Mornings are tough enough — there’s no need to add food prep to the mix! I get it all set up the night before, as part of my bedtime routine so that I can just blindly grab and go in the morning! Salads are versatile and tend to do well in the fridge. Some meals, like overnight oats and chia pudding, are actually intended to sit in the fridge for several hours.

For quick, easy meals, search for on-the-go or 15 minute recipe books — there are many already out there!

Have a packed lunch hack? We’d love to hear it!

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Ariela Paulsen

Ari struggled with a wide array of health problems for decades before being diagnosed with EDS/POTS/MCAS/etc at age 25. She began writing as a way to heal while spreading information and helping others through their own journeys. She loves being part of the Mighty Well team, sharing the stories and strengths of spoonies everywhere!

previous post
Garden-Fresh Recipes: Pesto
next post
Smoothies!

You may also like

How We’ve Helped — and How You Can...

May 12, 2021

Conversations with Lisa Cipkar: Patient and Practitioner

January 20, 2020

Creating Meaning and Purpose While Living With Chronic...

December 5, 2016

Top 3 Digital Medication Organizers

May 13, 2022

How to Safely Celebrate the Holidays

November 21, 2020

Invest in Mighty Well for as Little as...

December 12, 2017

Moving in with parents

June 17, 2020

5 Light Workload Jobs Spoonies Can Do Online...

February 5, 2018

5 Cooking Hacks for People With Chronic Illness

June 3, 2019

Caring For Your Mighty Well Mask

July 16, 2020

About Us

Hi, We're Mighty Well.

The mission of Mighty Well is to help patients and their caregivers turn sickness into strength. We are leading the global charge that changes the perception of patients from victims to fighters. We do this by improving the experience of being a patient. We create the products we wish we’d had: functional and stylish apparel and accessories that you can wear with confidence - and content that can help you get through the good times and the bad. It’s wellness you can wear.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Instagram

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Recent Posts

  • Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month

    June 22, 2022
  • Body Image and Mental Health in the Time of Covid

    June 16, 2022
  • Accessing Medical Supplies

    June 10, 2022
  • 4 Tips for Creating a Disability Inclusive Workplace

    June 3, 2022
  • Halsey Celebrates New Diagnoses

    May 26, 2022

Categories

  • Adaptive Wear
  • Chronic Illness
  • Featured
  • Friends in the Fight
  • General Wellness
  • Healthy Work Environments
  • Lyme Disease
  • Medical Devices
  • Mightier Together
  • Mighty Models
  • PICC Line
  • Popular Posts
  • Relationships and Support
  • The Undefeated
  • Treatment and Care
  • Uncategorized

Tags Cloud

Adulting Be Your Own Advocate blm Cancer Chronic Illness coronavirus coronoavirus covid-19 Daily Brain Fog Fix Diabetes Dysautonomia EDS feeding tube Feeding Tubes feeding tube supplies Gastroparesis holidays how does a feeding tube work immuno hoodie invisible illnesses Living Mighty Well Living With a PICC Living with a Port lyme disease MCAS Medications MedPlanner mental health Mental Illness mighty mask Mighty Pack mighty well mask Misdiagnosed neurodiversity New Years Organization Tips PICC PICC line cover PICCPerfect POTS Self-love self care case Support Systems TPN Tube Feeding

Our Story

Mighty Well - Founder - Emily Levy - Our Story

 

It all started with a cut off sock, a cute hockey player, and an 8 AM finance class. Oh, and a PICC Line. That moment inspired us to launch our first product, the PICCPerfect PICC Line Cover.

 

We know it stinks to feel defined by a diagnosis or feel like just a name on a doctor’s chart. Sounds like you? Read how our founder turned sickness into strength.

Recent Posts

  • Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month

    June 22, 2022
  • Body Image and Mental Health in the Time of Covid

    June 16, 2022
  • Accessing Medical Supplies

    June 10, 2022

Join the Fight

Mighty Well's Facebook Page

Find us on Instagram

mightywell_

One positive that came out of the pandemic was tha One positive that came out of the pandemic was that many of us were able to have flexible working arrangements. As more states lift restrictions, heading back to work after months of working from home can be a huge adjustment for so many of us. Allowing time in our schedules for commuting, brushing up on our social skills, and making sure to have access to our medical supplies are just a few things we need to prepare for.

📸 Mighty Well ambassador @ameliablackwater headed back to the classroom last week and is working on finding a happy balance of working, socializing, and finding time for herself. 

If you've returned to work, what was the hardest part about making the transition back? 
.
.

#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #Autism #WFH #RemoteWork #Telecommute #MightyWellMask #Pandemic
Before you move forward always be sure to check th Before you move forward always be sure to check the price tag 💵
.
.
#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Anxiety #Depression #PTSD
Life is full of uncertainties. But there will alwa Life is full of uncertainties. But there will always be a sunrise after every sunset 🌅

"The only certainty in life is uncertainty. I challenge you to embrace it. Even if it's just for a bit" ~@kali_rarerootedwarrior ☺️

Featuring: The Mighty Pack & Undefeated Hat
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #Gastroparesis #EDS #MastCellDisease
We really love this message from @lizandmollie. In We really love this message from @lizandmollie. In fact, we couldn't have said it better ourselves 🤗 Chronic illness is filled with ups and downs and everyday will look a little different. Know that you're doing your best even on the days that you are flaring, in pain or fatigued. Remember that we are here to support you on the good days, the bad days and all the ones in between 💚 
. 
.
#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #ChronicFatigue #MultipleSclerosis #Lupus #SickleCellAnemia #Endometriosis #POTS
Going into a medical procedure is always a little Going into a medical procedure is always a little scary. The best way to minimize fear and anxiety is to go in as prepared as you can! If you are feeling nervous for an upcoming PICC line placement procedure, head to our latest blog (link in bio) for some confidence boosting tips so you can feel ready to go! 

📷 Friend in the Fight @zebrajemma loves her PICCPerfect PICC Line Cover. It keeps her PICC line in place without adhesives and is so comfortable 🤗
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #IVIG
You can hardly wait to tell everyone what happened You can hardly wait to tell everyone what happened and  suddenly start talking and realize you don't know where the story is going...has this happened to anyone else lately 🙋‍♂️We've been there! Brain fog, perhaps the most universal aspect of illness, is exhausting. Cognitive disorders can be frustrating but take solace in knowing that you are not alone. We've all experienced that foggy feeling 🌫 and although it's not permanent, it can arrive quickly and definitely overstay its welcome. 

Looking for a little help getting the fog to lift? Our Brain Fog Fix Planner is more than just a reminder system. It includes space to track daily symptoms, hydration, thoughts and moments of gratitude amidst the daily challenges and is brought to you with input from our Friends in the Fight® Click the link in our bio to find out more. 
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #BrainFog #ChronicFatigue #CognitiveDisorder
We've got your back! Our Mighty Pack is the first We've got your back! Our Mighty Pack is the first medical backpack designed by patients, for patients. Our backpack is perfect for wheelchair users, as it has multiple strap locations to allow for flexibility. Nobody needs to know that you are carrying or wearing your essential medical devices and supplies. As patients ourselves, this is a product that we wish we’d had! 💪💚 Best of all this can be purchased with most FSAs (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) Click on the photo to take a look inside the Mighty Pack. 

📹 We are all smiles over this video of Mighty Well ambassador @rebellious_story & her dog Sherlock 😍
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #Community #Health #Wellness #ButYouDontLookSick #InvisibleIllness #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #LivingwithChronicIllness #Crohns #InfusionPump #MedicalBackpack #DiabeticLife #Gastroparesis #EnteralNutrition #Wheelchair #Tubefeeding #MedicalSupplies #TubeFed
The school year is quickly coming to a close and w The school year is quickly coming to a close and we wanted to send a Mighty shout out to all the students who worked so hard this year despite the challenges of COVID 🙌 We know that it was a challenging year with limited in-person learning, social distancing, and the requirement of face masks. We are so proud of all of you and you should be too! 💚

📸 Featuring The Mighty Well Mask
.
.
 #MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #KeepFighting  #SupportSystem #PICC #PICCLine #Port #Pandemic #HomeSchool #Graduation #SocialDistancing
I’m proud to be trans and I’m proud to be disa I’m proud to be trans and I’m proud to be disabled — because you can’t put a boundary on being yourself ~@thedisabledhippie
 
Happy Pride Month to all of our Friends in the Fight in the LBGTQIA+ community 🏳️‍🌈
.
.
#MightyWell #YouAreMighty #FriendsInTheFight #LiveMightyWell #Undefeated #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #AdaptiveWear #Pride #LBGTQ #Transgender #LoveisLove #NonBinary #BiSexual #GayPride #Instalove
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin

Mighty Well © 2018 All Rights Reserved


Back To Top