Japanese bento allows you to create a wonderfully curated lunch for yourself and your loved ones. There are different types of bento boxes that you can choose from depending on your requirements. For example, you can consider ease of washing, size, insulation, resistance to leaking and different configurations of compartments when selecting the ideal bento box for you.
But once you have purchased one or several Japanese lunch boxes, you have to consider how best to pack your lunch in them. If you are not used to it, there can be a small learning curve in figuring out where everything goes. And while you may have seen elaborate bento lunches online, you can decide the level of complexity in packing the lunch. You can easily pack a simple lunch in the bento box without much hassle. So before you select the box, you have to consider your lifestyle and how you prepare meals and pack them. A bento box comes with leak-proof lids and different dividers or compartments. If you prefer to pack soup, you can look for cylindrical stackable bento compartments that will give you more flexibility in packing your lunch.
You don’t necessarily need to use Japanese food for your bento box. The possibilities are endless. You can have a bit of salad, pasta, wraps or sandwiches cut into neat shapes and sizes in the box. And the compartments in the box make it easy for you to include snacks such as pieces of fruit or crackers. Aesthetics are an element that is instantly recognizable in bento boxes. You can easily achieve this by separating different food groups.
You also need to pack accessories and utensils with the bento box. You can use spoons, forks or chopsticks based on your preferences. If you have prepared small bites of food, you can use mini skewers as well. Food dividers will help you separate different types of food. You can also use food cups made from silicone or aluminium to hold different types of food. There are paper food cups as well but if you choose silicone or aluminium, they are reusable and you will not be creating a lot of waste.
There is a bit of planning required when it comes to preparing your lunch and packing it neatly in a bento box. If you meal prep, you will know what the menu for each day will be and this will make it a little easier in packing. You can also include leftovers from the previous night into the bento. The bento box is a great way of making sure that you include all the food groups and therefore get a balanced nutrition. By creating fun food combinations and preparations, you will be able to get fussy eaters interested in their food. Make sure that there are enough fruits and vegetables included in the lunch along with a portion of lean protein and whole grains. You can also add a portion of dairy by including it as a snack in the form of cheese and crackers.