Back to School Lunch Inspiration

I’m back to school, and I try to pack myself a lunch the night before to save time in the morning. I sometimes get bored of sandwiches. I like using bento boxes to pack my lunch in.

(Bento boxes are divided into three sections, one large and two small. They’re like the plates that have the three sections to them. You can get bento boxes about anywhere. My bento boxes are from Amazon. This is not a sponsored post. Our family has had a set of four BPA-free boxes for about four years. They’ve held up well. Only one box has cracked, and it’s the one used by a butterfingered family member.)

Benefits to bento boxes:

They’re fast and easy. Instead of grabbing three or four zipper plastic bags in the morning, I can quick grab one bento box and an ice pack.

They’re reusable. Washing and reusing the box saves lots of plastic bags.

They’re stiff. This is helpful if you don’t want your lunch to get squished. Also, it’s easier to scoop dip out of a container rather than a plastic bag.

They're cheap. Save money by packing a lunch, rather than eating out.

They're healthy. You can accommodate any of your allergies in the safety of your own kitchen.

Here are a few lunches I’ve packed recently.

A lunchmeat sandwich. I like Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Raisin bread (see more breads I’ve tasted HERE.) We’ve tried a few healthy lunchmeats, including the Boar’s Head brand. All their lunch meats are gluten-free. We get them at our local grocery store, and Kroger also carries Boar’s Head.

Instead of lunch meat you can make PB&J sandwiches, peanut butter and honey, egg salad, or chicken salad, etc.

Instead of a sandwich, you can pack lettuce wraps, tortillas, or leftover pizza.

Carrots, cherries, and blueberries. You can mix and match any fruits and veggies.

Sometimes I pack chips and dip. Here I have Addictive Sweet Potato Bean Dip.

Note: the bento boxes I have are not water-tight. Peach slices have leaked juice out of my bento box before, but my lunch was not kept level either.

More ideas: for variety, I’ll pack a container of yogurt or a snack bar.

What’s in your lunch? I’m always looking for ideas.