Bento box lunches are a convenient way to pack lunch on the run. Pick a variety of nutritious ingredients for bright meals and balanced nutrition that is completely portable to work or school. What's the best part? You don't always have to heat them up. All you need to do now is open the box, dive in, and enjoy.
The back-to-school season is here, which means that busy schedules and the desire for fast yet fulfilling meals have returned. While my meal prep ideas are one solution, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a new option that will make packing a nutritious lunch a breeze: bento boxes.
WHAT IS IN A BENTO BOX LUNCH?
After you know what things to add, learning how to prepare a great bento box lunch is pretty straightforward. Here are some pointers on what meals to think about and how to make the most of your box sections.
- Maintain a nutritionally balanced diet. The objective here is to provide a nutritious, well-balanced dinner. Therefore eat a wide range of veggies and proteins. With a reasonable amount of fruits and carbohydrates.
- Consider portable foods. Bento boxes are convenient since they frequently do not require any heating and the food is already portioned. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, and sushi can all be served as main courses. Snacks might include a variety of fruits, freshly cut veggies, dips, nuts and seeds, and energy balls.
- Don't skimp on the presentation. The way food is presented in Japanese culture mirrors how it tastes. As a result, bento boxes are divided into small parts. It helps to arrange your food so that it doesn't all blend together. Also, to keep your presentation on track, experiment with colors and textures! Add colored fruits to one section or extra lush greens to your sandwich to accomplish this.
EASY AND HEALTHY BENTO BOX LUNCH IDEAS
While there are many possibilities for bento box combos, here are a few to get you started.
Zucchini Noodle Caprese and Baked Chicken Bento Box
Zucchini noodles are the ideal cold pasta, especially when combined with caprese favors. To enhance the protein in this dinner, we're serving it with a simple baked herbed chicken. To balance out the dinner, add a handful of fresh berries.
Tuna Salad Sandwich and Melon Salad Bento Box
Lunch can never go wrong with a traditional tuna salad sandwich. It's light, filling, and really refreshing. This package also includes cucumber slices, baked plantain chips, and a tasty melon and mozzarella salad for quick fruit and veggie additions.
Greek Salad and Hard Boiled Eggs Bento Box
This package is for you if you enjoy all things Mediterranean. A colorful Greek salad laden with vegetables is served with simple yet nutritious snacks. Just combine hummus, celery sticks, and a hard-boiled egg in a blender.
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels and Watermelon Salad Bento Box
One of my all-time favorite cold seafood options is smoked salmon. This product is being used to produce wonderful smoked salmon pinwheels on top of a bed of spinach. Then, for a satisfying snack, pair this dinner with a watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad and my matcha pistachio happiness balls.
THE BEST BENTO BOX TO USE
I frequently use my favorite glass containers for meal prep, but they're just not practical for lunch on the road. My best bento boxes are compact, safe, and leak-proof. And after experimenting with numerous other kinds, I discovered that the bento boxes depicted above are the best.
They are available in a range of colors and styles, as well as square and rectangular forms. Choose a bento box that reflects your personality!
BENTO BOX LUNCH IDEAS (FOR SCHOOL OR WORK)
Ingredients
ZUCCHINI NOODLE CAPRESE AND BAKED CHICKEN
- 1 recipe zucchini noodle caprese
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup baby arugula
- ⅓ cup raspberries and blueberries
TUNA SALAD SANDWICH AND MELON SALAD
- 1 recipe tuna salad
- 2 slices gluten-free bread
- ¼ avocado, sliced
- 1 recipe melon mozzarella salad with basil
- ½ cucumber, sliced
GREEK SALAD AND HARD BOILED EGGS
- 1 recipe greek salad
- 1 recipe hummus
- 1 hard boiled egg
- 2 stalks celery , chopped
SMOKED SALMON PINWHEELS AND WATERMELON SALAD
- 1 recipe smoked salmon pinwheels
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 recipe watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad
- 1 recipe matcha pistachio bliss balls
Instructions
- Follow each of the individual recipes to make the components. Then assemble and place in the bento boxes.
TIPS
- The nutrition facts are based off the Zucchini Noodle Caprese and Baked Chicken Bento Box.
- Note that these recipes create full servings, so leftovers will need to be stored in containers in the fridge. Then, just prep the bento boxes the following days.
Leave a Reply