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Bento Boxes: Everything You Need to Know

Published on 04 Jan 23, Updated on 01 Jun 23.
Bento Boxes: Everything You Need to Know
In this article, we will look at different materials, sizes, colours and features of these bento box containers so you can find the perfect one for your needs!
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Eating healthy doesn't have to be hard or time-consuming. With the right eco-friendly bento box containers, you can quickly and easily pack nutritious meals for yourself or your family that are both sustainable and delicious. Whether it's packing a lunch for school, packing snacks for a picnic in the park, or meal prepping at home, there is an eco-friendly bento box that fits every need. In this article, we will look at different materials, sizes, colours and features of these containers so you can find the perfect one for your needs!

What are bento boxes are what are their benefits?

Eco-friendly bento boxes are an excellent way to pack nutritious meals for yourself or your family that are both sustainable and delicious. These containers come in a variety of materials, sizes, colours, and features to accommodate any meal packing needs you may have. Not only do they help reduce waste by eliminating single-use plastics, but they also make packing a healthy lunch easier than ever before! With all these advantages in mind, let's look at some of the different types of eco-friendly bento boxes available on the market today.

Bento boxes have a unique design that allows for the packing of multiple dishes in one container. These three compartments are perfect for packing meals with a different dish in each compartment, providing you with plenty of variety and nutrition options. Each compartment is also large enough to hold an adequate portion size to ensure your meal is filling and satisfying when you're ready to eat it.

Bento boxes are perfect for packing a variety of vegetables due to their three-compartment design. This allows you to pack a nutritious meal with each compartment containing a different vegetable dish, such as an avocado salad, steamed broccoli, and roasted sweet potatoes - all in one container!

Bento boxes also help reduce waste by eliminating single-use plastic bags for packing vegetables. Additionally, their leakproof lids make sure your vegetables stay safe and secure during transport so you dont have to worry about spills or messes.

Materials used in bento lunch boxes

Eco-friendly bento boxes have revolutionised the way we pack meals for on-the-go occasions. With a variety of materials, sizes, colours, and features to choose from, its easy to find a container that fits your needs and lifestyle

Let's start by looking at plastic containers. They are lightweight, and durable and come in a variety of sizes that are great for packing snacks or sandwiches. They are also the most affordable option and are available in many different colours to personalize your lunch experience

Glass containers are another excellent choice for eco-friendly bento boxes. These containers offer insulation to keep food warm or cold and come in a variety of sizes as well. Glass containers can be used for meal prepping at home as well, making them an all-around great choice!

Stainless steel bento boxes provide excellent insulation, keeping food fresher for longer. Not only that, but they last much longer than plastic or glass containers so you wont have to worry about replacing them anytime soon.

Bento box features

Leakproof

A leakproof bento box is essential when it comes to packing a meal that won't make a mess. Whether you're packing your lunch for school or going out on a picnic, having a reliable seal is important for keeping your food fresh and mess-free. Thankfully, many modern bento boxes come with leakproof lids that are designed to keep all of your ingredients from spilling out

Most leakproof lids feature secure clips or locks that help keep the lid firmly closed while on the go. The lids also have an airtight seal which helps keep air out so food won't dry out during transit. The seals also prevent any liquids inside from escaping, ensuring that the contents of your bento box stay in place no matter what bumps and turns you encounter along the way

These features help ensure your lunch arrives at its destination looking just as good as when it was first packed. Many bento boxes even come with internal compartments to help keep wet and dry ingredients separated, as well as containers and dividers for portion control. These extra features make packing meals easy, efficient and hassle-free!

Not only do leakproof lids keep your food secure, but they also make cleaning up after meals much easier too! With these secure locks and airtight seals in place, there is no need to worry about spills or leaks when transferring leftovers into containers for later use. This makes prepping snacks for later days faster and simpler than ever before!

Overall, leakproof lids are an essential feature of bento boxes that should not be overlooked when shopping for one. Not only do they provide peace of mind while packing meals on the go, but they also make cleaning up afterwards a breeze! So if you're looking for an easy way to pack nutritious meals without making a mess, look no further than eco-friendly bento boxes with leakproof lids!

Leak-proof bento boxes are ideal for soups, as they provide superior insulation that helps keep the soup warm and secure during transport. The airtight seals lock in heat, preventing it from escaping and ensuring your soup stays hot until you're ready to eat. Furthermore, the tight seals prevent any liquid contents from spilling out or leaking into other compartments so you don't have to worry about messes while carrying your lunch with you. Additionally, leak-proof lids make cleanup much easier as leftovers can be stored without worrying about spills or leaks transferring between containers during storage. By using a leak-proof bento box for packing soups, you can enjoy a nutritious meal that is both delicious and mess-free!


dishwasher
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Dishwasher-safe

Having a bento box that is dishwasher safe makes packing meals for on-the-go occasions easier and more efficient than ever before. The ability to throw your container in the dishwasher after every use helps keep your bento box clean and hygienic, so you can be sure that your food will remain fresh and uncontaminated when transferred into the container

Most bento boxes are made of plastic or stainless steel, both of which make them highly durable and long-lasting. When combined with their dishwasher-safe feature, these materials help ensure that your containers will last you a long time without needing replacement anytime soon

When shopping for a bento box, always check to see if it is labelled as dishwasher safe. If so, this generally means that the container can withstand temperatures up to 120°F or higher while also resisting rusting and corrosion from soap suds and water droplets. This rating helps guarantee that your meal prep containers can be reused multiple times without fear of damage or destruction. The classic tip would be to put the bento box on the top tray of your dishwasher. The bottom tray might be too hot and damage your bento box.

For added convenience, some bento boxes even feature removable parts like lids or compartments which can easily be taken out for cleaning in the dishwasher separately from the main container. This allows you to focus on cleaning specific sections at once instead of having to tackle one big job all at once. It also ensures that no part of the container gets overlooked in the washing process!

Dishwasher safety is an essential feature when choosing a bento lunch box because it allows you to reuse them multiple times without worrying about contamination or damage from water droplets and hot temperatures. Not only does this make meal prepping faster and easier, but it helps reduce wastefulness too! So if you want a convenient solution for packing healthy meals on the go, look no further than an eco-friendly bento box with a dishwasher-safe rating!


microwave-safe bento box
Photo by Gentri Shopp on Unsplash

Microwave-safe

When shopping for a bento box, always double-check to see if it is certified as microwave-safe. This rating ensures that your container can withstand temperatures up to at least 250°F and beyond without melting or leaching harmful chemicals into your food. Additionally, the majority of microwave-safe containers are made from either plastic or stainless steel, both of which provide exceptional durability and long-lasting usage

This feature makes packing meals for on-the-go occasions even easier. Not only can you simply pop a fully prepared meal into the container before you leave the house, but you can also reheat leftovers straight in your bento box when dinner time rolls around. This helps ensure that no part of your meal gets overlooked while you're busy packing lunches or snacks. Moreover, having a microwave-safe bento box eliminates the need to transfer food into another container entirely before heating it, saving you time and effort!

Plus, with a microwavable lunchbox, theres no need to worry about potentially dangerous materials mixing with your food during warming. Many standard lunchboxes contain hazardous chemicals like BPA and phthalates which could leach into food when exposed to heat. However, the classic bento box is designed for safety and will not transfer these or any other toxins into your meal when warmed in the microwave!

Overall, having a microwavable eco-friendly bento box is essential for those who like to pack their meals for on-the-go occasions. Not only does this feature make reheating food quicker and simpler than ever before, but it also eliminates worries about potentially hazardous materials mixing with your meal during warming. So if convenience is what youre after, look no further than an eco-friendly bento box with a certified microwavable rating!


freezer safe bento box
Photo by Bozhin Karaivanov on Unsplash

Freezer-safe

When it comes to bento boxes, their freezer-safe feature is an essential consideration. Freezer-safe containers are certified to withstand temperatures as low as -4°F without cracking or shattering. This not only helps guarantee that your food will remain safe from freezer burn, but it also allows you to store prepped meals for weeks and even months in advance

On top of all that, many bento lunch boxes are also designed with airtight lids which provide an extra layer of protection from the cold temperatures inside a freezer. This helps to prevent frost buildup which could potentially ruin your food or compromise its freshness. Plus, having an airtight lid on your container also helps to keep odours and flavours from mixing between different types of food, ensuring that meals will always taste just as delicious when you take them out of the freezer as they did when you first put them in!

BPA-free

Bento boxes are becoming increasingly popular as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic containers. Not only do they look great and save on packaging costs, but they also have many health benefits. One of the most important is that they are BPA-free, which means you dont have to worry about potentially hazardous chemicals leaching into your food during storage or heating

BPA (Bisphenol A) is a synthetic chemical compound used in many plastics that has been linked to numerous health risks, especially in kids and pregnant women. It works by mimicking the hormone estrogen and can cause reproductive issues, obesity, and even some forms of cancer. The good news is that all eco-friendly bento boxes are certified BPA-free so theres no need to worry about it when packing meals for yourself or your family!

In addition to being BPA-free, eco-friendly bento boxes have several other health benefits as well. For example, they are often made from either stainless steel or plastic materials that are resistant to rusting and corrosion from soap suds and water droplets. This helps guarantee the safety of your meal prep containers even after multiple uses without fear of damage or destruction due to moisture exposure

BPA-free bento boxes are an excellent option for packing meals for both adults and kids alike. However, they are especially important when preparing meals for kids due to the potential health risks associated with Bisphenol A (BPA).

Overall, having an eco-friendly bento box is essential for those looking for a convenient solution for packing nutritious meals on the go. Not only do these lunchboxes offer peace of mind knowing that theres no risk of potentially dangerous chemicals like BPA mixing with your food during storage or heating, but they also provide exceptional durability and long-lasting usage thanks to their resistance against rusting and corrosion from water droplets! So if you want a reliable way to pack healthy meals for yourself or your family without sacrificing convenience, investing in an eco-friendly bento box is definitely worth it!

The best bento boxes

The best eco-friendly bento boxes on the market are those that not only provide convenience for meal prepping and packing, but also offer lasting durability and sustainability. Glass bento boxes are an excellent choice for those looking to invest in a long-lasting option as they resist scratches, staining, and wear better than most other materials. Additionally, since glass is nonporous it wont absorb any odours or food particles which could contaminate your meals over time.

Stainless steel is another great material for eco-friendly bento boxes as it can withstand temperatures up to 600°F without deforming or melting! This rating makes stainless steel containers ideal for both microwaving and hot foods without fear of damage. Whats more, this metal doesnt react with acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus fruits so you can safely store salads without worrying about any adverse effects.

When shopping for an eco-friendly bento box, look for items with dividers or compartments as this help prevent sogginess between different parts of your meal. For example, if youre packing sandwiches and sides then having separate sections lets you keep two components from mixing in transit. This feature also helps ensure that all components arrive at their destination fresh and delicious!

Finally, consider opting for a bento box set with lids or covers if you want extra convenience when packing meals on the go. Not only will these covers help protect your food from spills and accidental drops during transit, but they also keep smells from contaminating other items in your bag too! Plus, since most covers are made from plastic or silicone materials they are lightweight yet strong enough to resist staining and wear over time too!

Below is what we consider to be the best bento box on The Good Boutique.

beegreener Bento Box - £29.19

A beegreener bento box does not just carry your lunch from A to B. It revolutionizes your lunch routine through its sophisticated & adaptive design, high level of functionality, and adds elegance and beauty to your life. It makes a great choice for eco-savvy consumers like you!

  • leak proof: Our intermediary lids are fully sealed and thus allow you to carry your food in your bag without causing a big mess!
  • dishwasher safe: Wash it up to 50°C in the top rack. (Don't put the intermediary lids into the dishwasher or remove the silicone sealing!)
  • microwave safe: You only want to reheat some parts of your food? No problem! Our stackable bento box with clever dividers makes it possible. Simply lift the intermediary lids and reheat your food for max. 3 minutes at max. 500W. Check out our additional sauce containers for even more flexibility!

Sustainability

This product is certified climate neutral by Climate Partner Germany. We support the protection of tropical swamp forests in Rimba Raya, Indonesia, which simultaneously serve as the few remaining habitats for orangutans. Read more on climate partner.

Materials

  • bento box made from 40% wheat straw and 60% PP
  • with genuine olive oil coated bamboo lid and
  • bento strap made from 70% recycled Post-Consumer Polyester and 30% natural rubber 

Dimensions

  • L 18.5cm x W 9.5 cm x H 10.5 cm
  • L 7.3'' x W 3.7'' x H 4.1''
  • weight: 550g or 1.21lbs
  • capacity: 2x 400ml (13.5 oz) = 800 ml (27 oz)

Photo from beegreener on The Good Boutique

Buy now

Overall, there are many different types of eco-friendly bento boxes available on the market so finding one that meets all of your needs shouldnt be hard! Just remember to double-check things like dishwasher safety ratings, microwave safe ratings, material type, storage capacity (if applicable), features (like compartments) lids/covers etc., before purchasing these details will determine how well your container serves its purpose over time. With all of this in mind picking out the perfect eco-friendly bento box has never been easier!

Conclusion

Overall, eco-friendly bento boxes are a great option for anyone looking to pack nutritious and sustainable meals on the go. Not only do they provide exceptional durability and long-lasting usage thanks to their resistance against rusting and corrosion from water droplets, but they also come in various materials, sizes, colours, features that make packing easier than ever before. With all of this in mind, its easy to see why investing in an eco-friendly bento box is definitely worth it! So next time you need to pack a meal dont forget about these convenient containers -they might just be your new best friend when it comes to eating healthy without compromising convenience or sustainability!


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