By and large taking your own lunch is usually cheaper than buying it each day.

Not only that but it’s also much healthier for you by passing potential horse contamination and additives.

One of the main benefits that you don’t necessarily get with a packed lunch is getting out of the office. I’d suggest you still try and get out and stretch you’re legs even if you do take your lunch.

Here’s a couple of ideas to keep things fresh and your lunches more appealing.

Invest in a decent lunch box

Super cute and super handy. Good start to your pack lunch. More here.

If you’re worried about using plastic, use a stainless steel lunch box to avoid potential plastic chemicals.

More here.

Take a smoothie

Tasty and good for you. Plenty of recipes here at the BBC. The trick is to make it fresh in the morning. Then take it to work in a Thermos you’ve been freezing overnight. It’ll give you a good boost of healthy energy for the afternoon….

Take your own sauces

Spice it up with your favourite sauce, bit of hot sauce, wasabi, Caesar, French dressing. Anything really, plus they look adorable in these little bottles

…

Take left over’s

On average leftover’s are 47.9% more tastier than when you eat the meal the previous night.

I love leftover’s and purposely make extra to take the next day. The flavours develop overnight to make them even tastier, so next time you make a stew, chilli or curry, make some extra and stick in the fridge for tomorrow’s lunch. Stink out the office and be the envy of your co-workers.

To avoid drying out the meal when re-heating…cover with a wet kitchen towel

Get creative with your left over’s

Got some left over Chilli? Take some cheese, salsa and tortilla chips and BOOM you got yourself a lunch time nacho fiesta! Got some left over pastry? Fry some mince, onions and carrots and BOOM you got a Cornish Pasty brother! You can wrap literally anything in a flour tortilla for a different kind of Burrito. Left over rice? Add some soy sauce and stir fried veggies for an ad hoc lunch time Chinese.

You get the idea? No matter how small or big you can work with your leftovers.

Give yourself a lunch time smile

Make your sandwiches at work

Buy the ingredients at the start of the week and make your lunch at work. Means you don’t have to do it in the morning and it’s fresh.

Make your own fruit yoghurts

These sound absolutely delicious. Perfect for mid morning snack and so much better for you. Just add some fruit and jam to natural yoghurt. Some great recipes here.

Make your own soup

Do you know how easy it is to make soup at home. I’m fairly sure my dogs could do it, if they eat vegetables that is. The best thing about making your own soup is a)you can use anything left in the fridge b) you can use anything. I’ve added pulses before to make it a bit more filling and it usually lasts a couple of days.

Lots of recipes on BBC Food.