Save money on takeaways and pack your own healthy lunch
Grabbing takeaways or eating out every day for lunch can add up to be a costly affair. Not only does it hurt our pockets, but the single-use plastic containers that get discarded contributes to the ever-growing landfill. Packing your own lunch is a far healthier alternative, allowing you to save money and mother nature at the same time.
Finding the right lunch box is as imperative as the food that you pack inside. Choosing the right one for you can prove to be a challenge as you take into account the different styles, sizes, materials and the type of dish you wish to pack. From plastic and glass to stainless steel and thermal food flasks, there are a plethora of lunch boxes to choose from. Where do you start? Let us help you with that!
Which material is the best for lunch boxes?
Plastic
- High-quality polypropylene plastic is durable and BPA-free
- The most affordable option
- Freezer and microwave safe – easy to reheat and eat
- Dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean
- Lightweight – pack a big lunch with minimal extra weight
- A wide array of sizes and shapes available
- Leakproof and airtight options available
Glass
- Borosilicate glass and tempered glass are highly durable and resistant to thermal expansion and thermal shock
- BPA-free
- Non-porous and impermeable - won’t absorb flavours, stains or odours
- Perfect for packing food with strong flavours such as curry or marinara sauce
- Oven safe
- Freezer and microwave safe – easy to reheat and eat
- Dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean
- A wide array of sizes and shapes available
- Leakproof and airtight options available
Stainless Steel
- BPA-free, antibacterial, and chemical-free
- Hygienic construct
- Lighter in weight compared to glass
- Dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean
- Plastic-free
Silicone
- Mostly used for lunch bags
- Leakproof
- Ideal for packing snacks or a sandwich
- Lightweight
Bamboo
- Lightweight
- 100% recyclable
- Strong and durable
- Biodegradable and sustainable
Types of lunch boxes that you can consider:
Classic Single Compartment: Simple and straightforward, the classic single compartment container keeps your lunch all in once place, providing easy access to your meal as soon as you take the lid off. Available in plastic, glass, stainless steel and bamboo, you can choose from a wide of array of shapes and sizes to fit your lunch, be it big or small. Those who prefer hand washing will find single compartment lunch boxes easier to clean as opposed to multi-compartment lunch boxes.
Multi-compartment / bento box: The Japanese have long practised the art of packing lunch in a multi-compartment lunch box to cater to their busy and fast-paced lifestyle. Fondly known as “Bento” in Japan and around the world, a traditional bento typically houses rice or noodles as the main staple food and is surrounded by a mix of vegetables and meat. Bento boxes are popular for being lightweight, compact, and perfect for enjoying a variety of dishes with the intention to provide a well-balanced nutritional meal for growing children and busy working adults. Tiered containers allow you to keep your main meal, fruits, salad, nuts, and snacks separately.
Lunch bag: Silicone lunch bags are great for packing small nibbles that you can enjoy throughout the day. This allows you easy access to your snacks without having to take out your main lunch box. It is lightweight and takes up little to no space once empty.
Thermal Food Flask: Thermal food containers are an ideal option for those who are constantly out and about and have no easy access to a microwave or oven. The function of thermal food containers is to seal the moisture and temperature of your food for longer so you’ll still have a nice warm meal when it’s lunchtime. It is particularly useful for storing soup, stews or porridge as these dishes can be quite tricky to heat up even if you have a microwave.
The best lunch boxes that you can buy in 2020
Single Compartment: Lock & Lock Classic Containers
Lock & Lock hails from South Korea and has been a household name for food containers since the late 1990s. The company is renowned for producing high-quality durable containers that are BPA-free, lightweight, airtight, and known to not break even when accidentally dropped. It is especially perfect for packing lunch and snacks for yourself or your little ones without worrying about it breaking. Furthermore, Lock & Lock's products have a lower permeability factor which means flavours and stains are easily removed after a good wash.
Benefits of Lock & Lock Classic Containers:
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
- Easy to clean
- Lower permeability factor
- Lightweight and durable
- Silicone inserts in lid give these lunch boxes its leakproof and airtight properties
- Classy and simple design
- Wide variety of shapes and capacity available
Two / Three Compartments: Pyrex Meal Prep Lunch Box
Popular for their range of products made from highly durable glass, Pyrex has found itself a home in almost every part of the world. Borosilicate glass is known for its high resistance to thermal shock and thermal expansion, allowing for a seamless transfer from freezer to the oven or microwave. Available in duo and trio compartments, the Pyrex Meal Prep Lunch Box has a larger compartment for rice, noodles or freshly cut salad along with one or two smaller compartments to hold your favourite side dishes, dips, and sauces.
Benefits of Pyrex Meal Prep Lunch Box:
- Oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Non-porous and impermeable – will not absorb stain, flavours, or smell
- Leakproof and airtight thanks to the silicone inserts in lid
- Classy and simple design
- Keeps dishes and condiments separate
Bento Style: Takenaka Bento Box
Made in Japan, Takenaka’s bento boxes are made to be durable and long-lasting to withstand everyday use. From a simple two compartment bento box to a two-tiered bento box, Takenaka designed their bento boxes to cater to the different needs of their consumers. On top of being BPA-free and lead-free, some designs come with a removable divider for better portion control. Tiered bento boxes can be stored compactly in a single layer when you’re finished with your meal and be securely held by a band that’s included with the boxes.
Once you're home, pop the bento boxes into the dishwasher for fuss-free cleaning before you pack lunch for the next day.
Benefits of Takenaka Bento Box:
- Made in Japan
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free
- A band secures compartments and lid together
- Perfect for enjoying a variety of dishes
- Lightweight and compact
- Single and tiered options available
- Tiered containers allow you to keep your main meal, fruits, salad, nuts, and snacks separately
Bento Style: Monbento
The Original Bento Box by Monbento features a two-tiered stackable lunch box and an extra food cup to store condiments. Made from high-quality PBT, Tritan® and Polypropylene, they are BPA-free and undergo strict regular quality controls by several independent bodies. An elastic band keeps the boxes and lid securely in place whilst the two intermediary airtight lids ensure that the contents remain in their respective compartments.
Benefits of Monbento Box:
- Made in France
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free
- A band secures compartments and lid together
- Perfect for enjoying a variety of dishes
- Lightweight and compact
- Single and tiered options available
- Extra food cup to store condiments
- Tiered containers allow you to keep your main meal, fruits, salad, nuts, and snacks separately
Thermal Food Flask: Thermos Food Jar
Thermos has been a long-standing brand in the vacuum flask industry. Utilising vacuum insulation technology allows for maximum heat retention, keeping your food hot or cold until you're ready to dig in. The Thermos Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Food Jar features a compact design and is light enough to be carried around with you. The wide opening makes it easy to fill, eat from and clean whilst a foldable spoon makes it convenient to enjoy your meal anytime. The lid doubles up as a mini bowl so you can portion out the contents if you’re sharing or if you intend to split your food over several mealtimes.
Benefits of Thermos Food Jar:
- Keeps food hot for 7 hours and cold for 9 hours
- No need for microwave or oven
- Perfect for stews and soup
- Ideal for those who are constantly out and about
- Durable stainless steel construct
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Cool to the touch when keeping hot food
- Sweat-proof when keeping cold food
- Includes a fold away stainless-steel spoon
Thermal Food Flask: Stanley Classic Vacuum Food Flask
Stanley’s products are renowned for their simple designs and rugged built. Being highly durable makes them a popular choice for outdoor adventures. The Stanley Food Jars are specially designed to withstand the tough outdoor environment, allowing contents to stay hot or cold for much longer. Made from stainless steel, Stanley food jars are BPA-free, leakproof and rust-resistant.
Stanley produces some of the hardest wearing products around, but they can be rather bulky and heavy for some. Be it camping, hiking or long road trips, you can definitely count on Stanley products to keep you company as you traverse the great outdoors.
Benefits of Stanley Classic Vacuum Food Flask:
- Keeps food hot or cold for longer
- No need for microwave or oven
- Perfect for stews and soup
- Ideal for those who are constantly out and about
- Durable stainless-steel construct
- Leakproof and rustproof
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Cool to the touch when keeping hot food
- Sweat-proof when keeping cold food
Silicone Snack Bag: Avanti Pinch and Lock Silicone Bags
For something closer to home, Avanti, an Australian owned company, is a popular brand for producing a wide range of homeware and kitchenware products. Made from quality silicone material, these reusable bags are perfect for packing a small lunch or your favourite snacks. They feature a pinch and lock seal system that prevents any leakage, making it great for storing liquids. The airtight seal will also help to keep your snacks fresh for longer so you can keep a bag of snacks on your office desk to snack on throughout the week before you bring it home for a top-up.
Benefits of Avanti Pinch and Lock Silicone Bags:
- Lightweight and durable
- Pinch and lock seal
- Airtight and leakproof
- Freezer and microwave safe
- Dishwasher safe – easy to clean
- BPA-free
Investing in a lunch box is a great way to stay healthy, save money while also protecting mother earth. A good lunch box will keep your food organised and fresh until you are ready to enjoy your meal. Choosing which lunch box to pack your food is highly dependent on what you intend to have for lunch the next day. Be it pasta, a freshly cut salad, rice with a variety of side dishes or some delicious soup, there is a perfect lunch box for every lunch in the week. Find your ideal lunch box and lunch bag now at Everten.
Next Read: The Ultimate Food Container Guide
