Make School Lunch Fun and Green with Bento Boxes
Lunchbox Ideas to Reduce Waste, Improve Nutrition for Kids or Adults
Sep 23, 2009
Bento or obento is Japanese for "meal served in a box." The typical bento meal consists of a variety of different foods served in small portions. Adorable and extravagant bento as nutrition and art has made headlines, but packing school lunch isn't a creative outlet for many parents who want quick and easy, but healthy. Bento boxes can provide that too.
Reduce Trash by Packing Bento Lunches without Disposable Baggies
There are many styles of bento boxes available for purchase today. What most boxes have in common is that they eliminate the need for the plastic sandwich bag. Several compartments or smaller containers keep foods separate. One style of bento box, the Laptop Lunch, even comes with a tiny container for dipping sauces or salad dressing.
Bento boxes are great for holding pre-sliced fruits and vegetables, leftovers, or even sandwiches, each in their individual container or compartment. Skipping packaged snacks means reducing trash generated by lunch but could also mean reducing processed sugar, refined flours, and excessive sodium that neither children nor adults need.
Improve Nutrition by Relying on Homemade Rather than Packaged Lunch Foods
Two strawberries, a slice of orange, a quarter cup of green beans (raw or cooked), a handful of chickpeas, and a couple of leftover ravioli for lunch will make both a toddler and a nutritionist happy and will take mom only a couple of minutes to pack.
Bento boxes capitalize on toddlers and preschoolers love of variety and finger foods and may encourage otherwise picky eaters to try new foods. Some of the more artistic bento lunch ideas may also keep school children interested in their own lunches and reduce lunchroom trades.
Reduce Food Waste and Use Up Leftovers With Bento-Style Meals
No need to cajole family members into eating the last few spoonfuls of dinner when packing lunches in small, reusable containers. Three spoonfuls of pasta salad is the perfect amount for many bento containers.
Portion control while keeping lunch interesting is another benefit of bento style meals for many dieters.
Attractive Bento Box Arrangement Can Be Simple
Many chefs will swear the enjoyment of a meal is enhanced by attractive food presentation. As the photo in this article shows, simple arrangements of foods can be fun. Tutorials for more complex arrangements and even fruit and vegetable sculpture can be found in books such as the Manga Anime Cookbook or online at sites like Lunch in a Box.
Nutritional Tips for Packed Lunches
- Variety is key. Choose foods from every food group and in a variety of colors to ensure good nutrition.
- Don't feel obligated to fill individual containers. Pack only as much as the eater needs.
- Watch the salt, sugar, and fat.
- Be wary of prepackaged bento lunches like Lunchables from Kraft which may contain excessive fat and sodium and little fruit or vegetable (and make unnecessary trash).
Food Safety Tips for Packed Lunches
- Don't introduce bacteria or diseases when packing lunch. Keep food preparation areas and containers clean.
- Keep hot food hot and cold foods cold. Many modern bento box manufacturers incorporate cold packs and insulated bags to make that easy.
- According to USDA, food should not be left at room temperature more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is above 90 °F).
- Be wary of reheating plastic containers in the microwave and, of course, don't microwave metal.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
