Lunch box ideas – tips, tricks and recipes to make tasty combinations

by Kremy PUBLISHED Apr 2, 2019

In This Article

Why lunch box ideas are so popular and how to choose your food container?

Many people bring their own food at work. Some prefer salad in jars, others – a simple sandwich, but everyone needs a lunch. Are you looking for new and fresh ideas? What to do when you want to have healthy food and in all the nearest stores and stalls you can only find chips, chocolate bars and pre-packed sandwiches? Well, bring food from home! How about some great lunch box ideas? Even if you have the busiest schedule, you can find a few minutes to take a rest and have a delicious homemade lunch!

How to choose a truly high-quality food container? What to put in it? How to make office lunch healthier? We shall give you the answers and of course, some recipes and ideas which you can use as inspiration.

The idea of lunch boxes belongs to the Japanese. They began to carry breakfasts in lunch boxes with several sections to work, where they put a variety of products. Bento boxes became hugely popular all over the world and nowadays there are thousands of ideas for lunch boxes for kids and adults.

Why lunch box ideas are so popular and how to choose your food container?

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One of the main features of lunch boxes is that they are compact. They are used by office workers, students and everyone who is conscious about healthy lifestyle. By definition a lunch box is a term that refers to single-portion packaged food and special containers for storing food that you can take with you for study, picnic or work. The first lunch boxes were made of metal and schoolchildren and factory workers carried food with them. Those first models resembled a small suitcase with a clasp and handle. Later metal was replaced by lighter materials like plastic and vinyl but nowadays there are many models made of stainless steel. A distinctive feature of lunch boxes are the separate food containers or compartments that allow you to store several different types of food at the same time, as well as cutlery. There are different types of food containers:

A box that closes tightly and has a handle to carry. It looks very attractive, as the design often resembles an old fashioned case. People who welcome style in everything can choose a model with an original color combination, an unusual shape and decoration.
Functional boxes with small internal containers like sauce bowls, that are inserted into the main one, as well as cutlery from the same material. Cutlery may be attached to the lid or to the side. These models allow you to take with you absolutely any type of food and not worry about the fact that you have forgotten the fork or spoon.
Creative models – those can be boxes for sushi with chopsticks and saucer or with original design with partitions and sections.
Classic model lunch boxes, which have several partitions where you can add food or place additional containers.

In addition to these, there are boxes that are intended only for dry foods like sandwiches, sweets, fruits. Some models are equipped with containers where you can pour soup. The huge variety of models and forms allows you to make food more aesthetic and enjoyable not only for yourself but also for your children. Lunch boxes with a handle are not a tribute to fashion, but a practical solution. The handle allows you to carry the box in your hand, as an additional stylish accessory. A lunch box is especially useful for schoolchildren, students and those who are attend courses, seminars, or conferences as well as people who are at work most of the day. This accessory allows you to eat on time and not just quickly cooked sandwiches, but healthy and varied food. Of course, lunch boxes are exceptionally handy when you plan a picnic or a day out.

How to choose a lunch box? It seems that there is nothing easier than choosing such a simple thing as a lunch box. However, the wrong choice may cause a lot of trouble when transporting your food and even health problems. Here are some tips that will be of help:

Brands that offer low priced products often save on the quality of materials. Cheap materials may contain harmful resins or toxins which are potentially a hazard to human health. Keep in mind that food is in direct contact with the walls of the box, so yes – material matters greatly! It is better to invest in a high quality model from a reputable manufacturer which will bring only positive emotions, will be practical and harmless. Saving on your health or your children’s health may be quite costly.

Keep in mind that a beautiful design does not guarantee the durability of the product. You may be attracted to a relatively cheap but very original looking lunch box. However, cheap models can break down over time, fade or lose their functionality. When you choose a lunch box, it has to meet your personal needs. Think of what foods and products there will be transported and stored. Carefully consider the size, shape, material and design. Carefully consider the number of compartments and additional removable containers. It is better to choose a couple of options so that you can change and combine them in accordance with the needs of the day.

Lunch box ideas and recipes – tips how to combine food

What to put in the lunch box? Well, you can put anything! You can pre-cook your lunch at home, you can put any meat or vegetarian dish, but remember that the main idea of a lunch box is a beautifully designed healthy meal. Rice, meat, fish, eggs, pasta, salads, pickled and fresh vegetables, fruits and bakery products – all of these have their place in your lunch box. Here are some recipes for you!

Quick Raw Vegan Wraps

Ingredients:

Serves: 2

1 collard green leaf

1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded

¼ cup carrots, shredded

couple of red onion rings

7-10 green bell pepper strips

1 tomato slice

2 tbsp of guacamole

Directions:

Place collard green leaf on a cutting board and spread guacamole over the leaf.

Add the rest of the ingredients and carefully roll the collard green leaf.

Cut in half and wrap in saran wrap if needed.

Vegetable Sushi

Ingredients:

Serves 2

4 Tbsp homemade hummus

2 green onions, thinly sliced lengthways

1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips

2 carrots, cut in matchsticks

1 avocado sliced

3 wheat tortillas

Instructions:

Place tortillas on a cutting board and spread the hummus over them equally.

Top with bell peppers, green onions, carrots, and avocado.

Roll the tortilla tightly around the vegetables and slice crosswise into 1.5-inch slices.

Arrange the sushi into lunch box, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Turkey Taco Lunch Box

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

¾ cup uncooked brown rice

1/8 tsp salt

zest of 1 lime

Turkey:

¾ lb lean ground turkey

2 tablespoons taco seasoning of choice

Salsa:

2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered

1 jalapeno, minced

¼ cup red onion, minced

juice from 1/2 a lime

salt, to taste

Other:

one 12 oz can corn, drained and rinsed

¼ cup shredded cheese, cheddar or mozzarella

Directions:

Cook brown rice according to package directions. Add lime zest and salt to the cooking water.

Cook turkey over medium heat. Season with the taco seasoning and breaking it up as you cook. Cook for 10 minutes or until cooked through.

Combine all salsa ingredients and toss together.

Divide between the lunch boxes:

½ cup cooked rice

½ cup corn kernels

½ cup cooked turkey meat

½ cup salsa.

Tuna Avocado and Chickpea Sandwich

Ingredients:

Serves 2

1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 ripe avocado

3 Tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

3 Tbsp green onions, chopped

1 can tuna, drained

1/2 fresh lemon, juiced + zest

salt and pepper, to taste

4 slices of rye bread

1 cup fresh berries

Instructions:

Toast the bread if desired.

Mash together chickpeas and avocado. Add the cilantro, green onion, tuna, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper to taste, then stir until well combined.

Spread about 1/3 cup of mixture onto each slice of toast, then cut in half.

Arrange the sandwiches in the lunch box and add 1/2 cup berries in the remaining space.

Greek Salad Lunch Box

Ingredients:

Serves 2

2 wheat pitas, sliced into triangles

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber

1/2 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

1/4 red onion, sliced thinly

1/4 cup homemade Tzatziki sauce

1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley leaves

Instructions:

Add the Tzatziki sauce. Use a separate container, if your lunch box is equipped with one of those.

Divide the ingredients between two boxes. It is better to keep the pita bread separately or add it in the box just before you go so that it does not get soaked.