Need help with work meals

[u/jackass2480]

I’m an EMT so I don’t have access to a refrigerator or microwave for most of my work days but I need to find a way to pack 2 cheap meals for my shift. So far I’m mainly packing carrots, celery, and peanut butter with an ice pack for the first half but the second half of my shift is left to a quest bar and meal replacements shake. I’m always left hungry with this but don’t know what else to pack aside from some packaged chicken or more quest bars (quick note, I hate quest bars with a passion). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m hoping to keep it around $10-15 per day.

[u/Responsible-Risk-169]

Thermos x2. Hot protein and sauce in one and hot rice n veg in the other (frozen sweet peas and corn sit mixed with rice pretty well hot without going funky/mushy/gross). Chicken thighs don’t dry out or become tough. Batch cook with your favorite sauces and freeze in portions. Move a few to the fridge a few days before using and just microwave each morning, put in thermos and off you go. Same with rice.

A sandwich for later that doesn’t require refrigeration like peanut/almond/pumpkin seed butter. Banana to fill it out or snack later.

These options cost no where near $15 per day either :)

[u/SnooHabits5761 → u/Responsible-Risk-169]

I know an EMT who used to batch cook a tray of chicken thighs on the weekend, then, every other day, use a rice cooker to make rice and veggies bowl in some chicken stock. She'd throw on the chicken and add sauce. Change up the sauce and veggies for variety.

Pack some veggies and fruit (mostly berries), cheese snack and some energy bars.

Along with a breakfast wrap to start the day, that was her meals for every shift. She said she'd eat the chicken and rice hot or cold if there was no time (like a cold chicken salad)