{"id":42933,"date":"2016-09-21T11:15:08","date_gmt":"2016-09-21T15:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=42933"},"modified":"2021-09-01T10:19:05","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T14:19:05","slug":"back-to-school-lunch-boxes-healthy-lunch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/back-to-school-lunch-boxes-healthy-lunch\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Next-Level Lunch Boxes That Make Meal Prep Easy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-52621 size-full\" title=\"9 Next-Level Lunch Boxes That Make Meal Prep Easy\" src=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/9-Next-Level-Lunch-Boxes-That-Make-Meal-Prep-Easy-Pin-2.jpg\" alt=\"9 Next-Level Lunch Boxes That Make Meal Prep Easy\" width=\"620\" height=\"930\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The fall season means it&#8217;s back to school (or your desk). While that\u00a0usually\u00a0involves shopping for new supplies, it can also\u00a0include a slew of healthy resolutions to get you on track after a summer\u2019s worth of treats (post-grads, we&#8217;re looking at you, too!). And while you may already be kicking off your day with guilt-free <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/15-minute-healthy-breakfast-recipes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">breakfast<\/a>, it\u2019s lunch that seems to fall to the wayside. With endless delivery options and limited time to prep and pack (not to mention actually wolf it down at your desk), it\u2019s easy to find yourself with a lunch that\u2019s pretty lackluster.<\/p>\n<p>But the consequences of ignoring lunch \u2014 aside from the hanger that\u2019ll belabor you \u2014 are no joke: Purchasing a midday meal at work or school can be expensive, and unhealthy. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.practicalmoneyskills.com\/resources\/pdfs\/Visa_LUNCH_SPENDING_RESEARCH_0913.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2013 study from Visa<\/a> found that buying lunch twice a week adds up to roughly $936 a year. Holy food bills, right? (P.S.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/food-waste-earth-day-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Here\u2019s an easy way<\/a> to save $43 a month.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/meal-prep-ideas-healthy-eating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12 Brilliant Meal Prep Ideas to Free Up Your Time<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Just a little foresight can help you save money <em>and <\/em>calories. And now that you\u2019ll have the extra cash you won\u2019t be spending on takeout, treat yourself to a brand-new lunch box. With a thermos perfect for <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/miso-vegetable-soup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">soup<\/a>, a takeout box that\u2019s ideal for <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/tofu-shrimp-pad-thai-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pad thai<\/a> and more, here are eight new, convenient ways to carry your midday meal to the office in style.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>9\u00a0New Lunch Boxes to Inspire Healthy Eating <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/opXBWdk-mbQ?rel=0\" width=\"620\" height=\"349\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Divide and Conquer<br \/>\n<\/strong>Thanks to the individual leak-proof containers, you can tote all of your favorite <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/healthy-salad-recipes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">salad<\/a> ingredients to work without worry in this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.getprepd.com\/collections\/store\/products\/the-prepd-pack-set\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prepd Pack Set<\/a>. Also <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/healthy-freezer-meals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">freezer<\/a>&#8211; and microwave-friendly, this lunch box makes storing and reheating leftovers a cinch. Better yet, it comes with an app that provides\u00a0meal plans\u00a0and recipes, and even counts the calories and nutrients in foods for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/clean-eating-kitchen-hacks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clean\u00a0eating<\/a> just got way\u00a0easier. ($60; getprepd.com)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42969\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040244\/1_Lunchbots_.jpg\" alt=\"Lunchbots Bento Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040244\/1_Lunchbots_.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040244\/1_Lunchbots_-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Bento or Bust<br \/>\n<\/strong>Feel like nibbling on a few small meals throughout the day instead of having one big lunch? Skip the excess containers (but pack all the goodies) and go for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00IHMNSV6\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00IHMNSV6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=lifbydai-20&amp;linkId=CG2B6LNIHEESVO5H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lunchbots Bento Box<\/a>. The sleek, metal design has three separate sections to keep your 3 p.m. strawberries from getting too cozy with your <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/chicken-zoodles-stir-fry-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chicken stir-fry<\/a>. ($35; lunchbots.com)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-42936 size-full\" title=\"9 Next Level Lunch Boxes That Make Meal Prep Easy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040259\/2_BNTO.jpg\" alt=\"BNTO Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040259\/2_BNTO.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040259\/2_BNTO-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Seal the Deal<br \/>\n<\/strong>Layering salad or yogurt parfaits in a <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/mason-jar-salads-recipes-healthy-lunch-ideas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mason jar<\/a> seems like a great idea before work, except for when you break it out of the fridge \u2014 and everything\u2019s super soggy. Enter the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00DUF5DRM\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00DUF5DRM&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=lifbydai-20&amp;linkId=YBHHBFTWRE5V7LVU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNTO by cuppow<\/a>, a jar adaptor that will keep your <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/healthy-chocolate-hazelnut-homemade-granola\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">granola<\/a> (dressing, or whatever) separate from your <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/peach-homemade-greek-yogurt-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">yogurt<\/a> \u2018till you\u2019re ready to chow down. ($10; cuppow.com)<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/healthy-dessert-energy-bites-recipes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12 Energy Bites Recipes That Taste Just Like Dessert<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42970\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040243\/3_Takeout_.jpg\" alt=\"Takeout Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040243\/3_Takeout_.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040243\/3_Takeout_-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Takeout Fake-Out<br \/>\n<\/strong>Is it just us, or does food taste better when it comes straight from a takeout box? Transport your homemade Asian-style <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/chicken-zoodles-stir-fry-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">zoodles<\/a> to work with this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B007R5VLP4\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B007R5VLP4&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=lifbydai-20&amp;linkId=ZGVF2QLY3P4LEYCQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nifty tote from DCI<\/a>, which is made from food-grade silicone. It\u2019s microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so no need to stress about reheating or cleaning. ($19; dcigift.com)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42938\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040257\/4_thermos.jpg\" alt=\"Thermos Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040257\/4_thermos.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040257\/4_thermos-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Souped Up<br \/>\n<\/strong>Winter is coming, but this steel <a href=\"https:\/\/food52.com\/shop\/products\/420-thermo-pot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thermos Pot<\/a> will keep a cozy soup, like our <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/butternut-squash-soup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">butternut squash recipe<\/a>, hot for up to six hours. Best of all, you\u2019ll never be without a spoon (or forget where you put that spoon) since the stainless steel utensil\u00a0magnetizes to the side of the thermos. ($42; food52.com)<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42939\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040256\/5_Safe-Happy-Family.jpg\" alt=\"Safe Happy Family Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040256\/5_Safe-Happy-Family.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040256\/5_Safe-Happy-Family-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Zip to It<br \/>\n<\/strong>If you\u2019re worried about the cleanliness of your eating space (#nojudgment), the <a href=\"https:\/\/safehappyfamily.com\/products\/safe-happy-lunchbox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Safe &amp; Happy Family Lunch Box<\/a> is actually a sack that unzips to become a placement, making outdoor picnics a breeze. Stash some snacks, like <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/protein-rice-krispies-treats-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protein rice krispies<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/homemade-larabars-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">homemade Larabars<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/chocolate-chip-protein-bars-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chocolate chip protein bars<\/a> and enjoy without worrying about making a mess. ($25; safehappyfamily.com)<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/summer-watermelon-recipes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">9 Delicious Watermelon Recipes<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-42940 size-full\" title=\"OXO Lunch Box\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040255\/6_OXO-box.jpg\" alt=\"OXO Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040255\/6_OXO-box.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040255\/6_OXO-box-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>7. All in the Layers<br \/>\n<\/strong>It\u2019s business on the bottom, party on the top with this two-level, leak-proof container from <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2db6GaX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OXO<\/a>. Ideal for packing all your sandwich components separately, you\u2019ll never deal with soggy bread\u00a0again. Four locking tabs create an airtight seal. ($15; oxo.com)<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-42941 size-full\" title=\"Tiffin Lunch Box\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040254\/7_high-res-tiffin.jpg\" alt=\"Tiffin Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040254\/7_high-res-tiffin.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040254\/7_high-res-tiffin-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>8. Sweet Charity<br \/>\n<\/strong>Purchase this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Stainless-Container-Indian-Tiffin-Carrier\/dp\/B01CJX4MGI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fair trade Tiffin<\/a> (a tin commonly used to carry food in India) and you\u2019ll have a chic, conscious way to BYO <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/spicy-shrimp-wrap-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spicy shrimp wraps<\/a> for lunch. It\u2019s crafted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tenthousandvillages.com\/noahs-ark\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Noah\u2019s Ark International Exports<\/a>, an organization in Moradebad, India that works to promote independent artisans. ($24; tenthousandvillages.com)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-42942\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040253\/8_Pret-a-Paquet-Salad-Bowl.jpg\" alt=\"Salad Bowl Lunch Box\" width=\"620\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040253\/8_Pret-a-Paquet-Salad-Bowl.jpg 620w, https:\/\/cdn-life.dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/10040253\/8_Pret-a-Paquet-Salad-Bowl-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>9. Top It Off<br \/>\n<\/strong>Dressed salads are difficult to bring to the office \u2014 and even more difficult to enjoy after soaking in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/strawberry-spinach-chicken-salad-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">homemade vinaigrette<\/a> all morning. Avoid the problem altogether with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00DVE3B76\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00DVE3B76&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=lifbydai-20&amp;linkId=JZ5ZMORL5EITAJZ5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pret a Paquet Salad Pack<\/a>, which has a dressing cup that snaps into the lid for spill-proof storage. An insulated sleeve will keep your <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/fall-cleanse-kale-salad-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">kale salad<\/a> fresh if you can\u2019t slip your lunch into a fridge immediately. ($25; pretapaquet.com)<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally published August 2015. Updated September 2016.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying lunch twice a week can add up to almost a thousand dollars a year. Save money (and calories) by bringing your midday meal in one of these handy lunch boxes.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,7,11],"tags":[278,151,292,71,341,388],"class_list":["post-42933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diet-nutrition","category-health","category-health-hacks","tag-kids","tag-lunch","tag-meal-prep","tag-nutrition","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2nutrition"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42933\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}