Start Here

Buy one pound sliced lean, low-sodium turkey, chicken, roast beef, or ham. At about three ounces per serving, you have plenty for five lunches.

The Meals

1. Sticks in Blankets

Wrap meat slices around cucumber, carrot, celery, or bell pepper spears—or go more exotic with jicama or bamboo shoots. These make a terrific one-handed desk lunch.

2. Italian Lettuce Wrap

Fill a lettuce leaf with sliced meat, giardiniera (a mix of pickled carrots, cauliflower, celery, peppers, and onion), and 1–2 Tbsp diced hard provolone or mozzarella. (Tip: Big, sturdy iceberg lettuce leaves do a great job containing the zesty filling.)

3. Chef’s Grain Bowl

Top cooked bulgur with roasted veggies and chopped deli meat. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or your favorite low-fat vinaigrette.

4. Frittata

Fill this egg classic with your favorite chopped deli meat and vegetable combo (think turkey and broccoli, ham and asparagus, roast beef and spinach). Remove the frittata from the office fridge 15 minutes before you plan to eat—it tastes best at room temperature.

5. Sandwich Time

Mound sliced meat on your choice of bread, wrap, or sandwich thin. Then pile it high with lettuce, tomato, shredded cabbage, roasted peppers, and/or grilled veggies.

Shelf-Life Lessons

• Buy deli meat as close to the time you plan to use it as possible. Think Sunday supermarket shopping, not Friday.
• Store it in an airtight plastic container or zip-close bag.
• Eat it within five days (not a problem with these tasty ideas).