Tired of the petrol station meal deal? Here's how to swap it for a healthier, cheaper hot lunch you make yourself.
When you're on the road or working long hours, the garage meal deal is easy to reach for. It's quick, but it adds up in cost, and it's rarely the most filling or nutritious choice. With a bit of planning you can swap it for something hot, healthier, and cheaper.
Why the meal deal catches us out
- It's usually a cold sandwich, a snack, and a drink, which can be high in refined carbs, salt, and sugar.
- It's easy to end up buying one every day, and the cost mounts up over a week.
- A cold lunch in winter isn't very satisfying, so people often snack more later.
Healthier swaps that are still quick
Swap the sandwich for a hot stew or curry
A portion of homemade chicken curry, chilli, or casserole will fill you up for longer than a plain sandwich.
Swap the crisps for fruit or nuts
An apple, banana, or small bag of unsalted nuts is easy to keep in the cab.
Swap the fizzy drink for water or tea
Keep a flask or bottle in the van and top it up through the day.
Swap the pastry for a proper breakfast
Porridge made at home, or toast with eggs, sets you up better than a sausage roll.
Make it realistic
Nobody wants to cook every night after a long day. The trick is to cook once and eat several times. Make a big pot on your day off, split it into single portions, and keep them in the fridge or freezer. Our simple weekend batch cooking plan shows you how.
How to get a hot lunch on the road
The easiest way is an electric heated lunch box. It plugs into the 12V or 24V socket in your vehicle and heats your pre-cooked, fully defrosted meal ready for your break, so you can sit down to a proper hot lunch wherever you are. Pair it with a thermal carry bag to keep your food hotter for longer while you carry it to the job.
A quick weekly routine
- Cook one or two big meals at the weekend.
- Portion into containers and label them.
- Keep what you'll eat in the next few days in the fridge, and freeze the rest.
- Take one portion each morning and heat it until it's hot all the way through.
It's cheaper, healthier, and a lot more satisfying than another meal deal.