hi Theressa,
I don't do deprivation well, either! hahaha. So i have found with my own health i do better thinking about what i wish to ADD for my health, rather than what i am taking away. So i ADD in walking, i ADD in drinking more water (i have a goal for each day), and i ADD in eating more vegetables, and whole grains instead of refined white flour items.
When i was working, i too found it difficult to eat well, so i cleared a drawer in my desk and stocked it with healthy foods for those hunger pangs. One of the best things i found were instant cup a soups from the health food store. These are not the same as the Lipton soups... i think they were from the company Near East, but there are other companies that would work. They come in a cardboard cup, just add water. They had things like corn chowder, bean soups, split pea, and so on. They were filling and all i had to do was add boiling water, and i could keep them right there. I also would buy fruit at the store and carry some fruit with me every day. Apples keep well and have lots of fiber and are filling. It's worth it to pay for really good apples instead of the cheap ones. Frozen grapes make a great "treat" instead of ice cream on a hot day. I buy grapes, pull them off their vines, and freeze them in zip lock bags in one serving batches. Another great snack that staves off hunger are unsalted nuts... particularly raw almonds or walnuts. It satisfies "crunchiness" and you only need about a dozen for a snack. I use little bags so i'm not tempted to eat more than a serving. Research has shown nuts are not only good for our health, but people who eat a little bit of nuts daily lose weight over people not eating nuts. Carrot sticks and celery will also keep if brought from home, and now you can get baby-cut carrots which are more convenient for on-the-go.
Another thing i've done for lunch is to make large batches whenever i'm preparing food. I know what you mean about time being an issue... if you have to put in time for every healthy meal, you're just not likely to do it all the time. I'll make a batch of homemade soup for the week, or i'll make a huge salad in a big bowl or put it in gallon zip locks (saves space in the refrigerator), but i won't dress the salad... that way it will keep about four days.
