Choosing the Ideal Lunch Box for Adults

When I was a kid, choosing a lunch box was considered a big deal. Whether it was a Batman box or a Wonder Woman box, it let us show off our personalities to our classmates and bond over mutual interests. And even today, the lunch box is still kind of a big deal for me. But rather than focusing on looks, it’s the design of the box that I’m more concerned with now. In other words, how convenient it is to use and whether it’s environmentally friendly and safe to store food in it.

Similar to how our tastes differed when we were children, different people have a different opinion on what makes a great lunch box. If you scour the internet, you’ll find there’s a box for every type of person, whether you’re a super organized meal packer like me, or a last-minute throw-it-in-a-bag kind of type. Here’s just a small glimpse of the kinds of boxes out there to help you decide much easily what the ideal one is for you.

Environmentally Friendly Containers

Today’s lunch boxes are more than just ugly plastic containers with lids. There are also environmentally friendly options, made of either 100% cotton canvas or stainless steel and which include a biodegradable insulation layer that decomposes without causing harm to the environment. Besides benefiting the environment, these boxes also have great benefits for your health as they contain no PVC, BPA, nylon or other toxic chemicals that can contaminate your food and cause various health problems.

Bento Boxes

If organization is your primary concern, try to look for a box with separate compartments for different foods. These types of boxes are usually called bento – a name that refers to the Japanese-style packed lunch. This design not only keeps different groups of food conveniently separated, but it also allows you to better control your portions for a well-balanced meal. Bento boxes are usually harder to clean due to the multiple compartments and trays inside, but the all-in-one convenience definitely outweighs the extra time spent scrubbing.

Lunch Bags

If you work remotely and have no access to refrigeration, a lunch bag can help keep your meals fresh and salads crunchy. Such a spacious bag is perfect for packing a large lunch together with ice packs to keep it cool. While it can be usually too large to fit in a backpack, a cooler bag usually comes with a shoulder strap that makes it convenient for carrying around.

Features to Consider

Regardless of what type of lunch container you opt for, it should be durable, stain-resistant and easy to clean. Canvas boxes should also be leak-proof to prevent contents from accidentally seeping out. On the other hand, bento boxes should have air-tight lids to keep the contents and odours inside. If you plan to carry ice packs around, make sure that the box has a mesh pocket for holding the packs in place.