Bento boxes are exceptionally popular lunch containers that took off in the western world in recent years.  They’re originally from Japan but have made their way into the lunches of everyone from corporate executives to school kids.

What Goes into Lunch Bento Boxes?

When it comes to what bento boxes contain, the sky is the limit. You can include more traditional Japanese dishes to suit the conventional use of these containers, or you can add virtually anything else you’d like. The key is to allow them to choose the right portion size for each dish you’ll be enjoying within it.

Consider these delicious and highly nutritious options the next time you aren’t sure what to make for lunch.

Asian Themed Bento Boxes

Serves 1
330 calories

• ½ cup microwave-prepared white rice
• ½ cup shelled edamame
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 package vacuum-packed salmon
• 1 mandarin orange

Place each ingredient in its own compartment. When lunchtime comes around, combine the ingredients to make every bite unique.  Enjoy your mandarin orange for dessert.

Picnic-Style Lunch

Serves 1
380 calories

• ½ cup sliced pear
• ½ cup red or green grapes
• ½ cup carrot
• 1 slice swiss cheese, cut into quarters
• 1 slice cheddar cheese, cut into quarters
• 2 oz deli ham
• 100 Calories preferred crackers

Neatly place each ingredient in its own compartment in your bento boxes. Serve with a side salad if you’d like.

Tex Mex Box

Serves 1
395 calories

• ½ cup microwave-prepared Spanish rice
• ½ cup black beans or pinto beans
• Shredded iceberg
• Diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp fat free sour cream
• Desired amount salsa
• 150 Calories worth tortilla chips

Keep each ingredient in its own separate container to stop it from going soggy or losing its appropriate texture. At lunchtime, combine lettuce and tomatoes. Top with sour cream and salsa as your fresh salad.  Use your tortilla chips to eat the rice and beans.