 with LunchBots!)
If you want to eat better in the New Year, packing yourself wholesome lunches from home can be a great place to start. I recently discovered and started using LunchBots stainless steel containers for some of my daughters’ lunches, which is why I am excited they’re sponsoring* this post today. Here are a few different ways to consider using their products:
Lunches for Adults and Teenagers
Readers ask me all the time what they should pack for their big teenage kids (or even for themselves), and I really do think the LunchBots extra big (and non-Disney character themed) thermal containers could be the answer. What’s more filling than a hearty leftover dinner like whole-wheat pasta or a big serving of homemade soup, stew, taco meat, fajitas, crock pot chicken, chili, lasagna, meatballs, or quiche? Serve with a generous side of fruit and/or a salad and you have yourself a filling lunch.
I fit almost 2 servings of noodles in the pictured LunchBots 16 oz. container:
Almost 2 full servings of whole-wheat pasta and an organic apple
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Lunches for Elementary Aged Kids
I recently started using LunchBots divided containers for my kindergarten and second grade daughters. It’s no secret that I frequently send them soup (in some smaller thermoses that we already own), but since that’s not enough food alone they usually get a couple of “side items” as well. For years I’ve been putting those sides in 2 to 3 different additional smaller containers, but that was before LunchBots sent me one of their divided containers, which is honestly the perfect size for sides. My girls have a very short lunch period, so my theory is the fewer lids they have to open, the better!
Here are two recent lunches I made for my girls using my new LunchBots containers, each paired with a single serving of soup:
Tomato soup, cold grilled cheese, and fruit lunch + Chicken noodle soup, zucchini muffin, and cantaloupe lunch
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Lunches for Preschool Children
I actually first learned about LunchBots from our Sales Manager, Kiran. She has used their containers for years in order to serve up the perfect sized portions for her preschool aged children. Here are some examples of what Kiran packed for her almost 2-year-old and 4-year-old this past week:
Whole-wheat pizza, celery, and nut mix lunch + Homemade whole-wheat chicken nuggets, broccoli, and nut mix lunch
So in summary, these containers provide a lot of flexibility when it comes to serving different ages and appetites. Plus if you’ve been wanting to make the switch to stainless steel, LunchBots is a way to do so without breaking the bank. As we all know, reusable containers of any type can save money in the long run and are of course less wasteful (and therefore better for our environment)! If you’ve tried LunchBots before we’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!
For more lunch ideas check out my “School Lunch Roundup” post.
*Note: LunchBots is sponsoring today’s post, but the opinions it contains are my own.
My daughter started school this year and it was your Lunch Box Round Up post that really got me thinking about different ways to pack lunches! I found the Lunch Bots online after deciding to go with stainless steel. She’s only half-days, so I use the quad box for snacks (three different foods, plus a section for a damp rolled-up cloth). I use silicon muffin liners to keep juices from spreading. We now have one box for each of our three kids and although only one gets used daily for school, the others are great for packing lunches for outings. I wish they’d make a slightly bigger box with 4-6 sections for adults!
Ok, this is actually not about the post, but I need to ask a question. I know you are in the Charlotte area and I noticed that the pictures of your fridge contain milk from a dairy. Yep, sounds weird I know but I used to live in CO where I bought all my dairy products (and a few others) from a dairy that was delivered to my house weekly. I also live in the Charlotte area and can’t find a dairy who delivers. Which one do you use?
She mentions in another post that she gets her milk from lakeviewfarmshomedelivery.com. I plan to check that out as well. =)
Thank you!
Tina – We used to get our milk delivered, but now we pick it up (the same Homestead Creamery milk in glass bottles) from Earthfare in Ballantyne.
Thanks for letting me know. I just found that exact Earth Fare this week! I didn’t however look at their dairy. So glad to know I can get it there! Love their coupons!
@elise
https://www.planetbox.com/shop/product-category/lunchboxes/launch
My daughter has a Planet Box and we love it! On days she uses a thermos or a smoothie cup, we use little round SS containers from Pottery Barn, but I like the Lunch Bot option for those days . . .
where do you find your 100% whole wheat pasta or what brand do you use? Everything I’ve tried is so dark and dense it’s almost un-edible. Your’s look much lighter than what I’ve seen before. Thanks!
Hi Kendra. We use the Bionaturae brand. You can get it at Earthfare and Whole Foods or you can order it here…http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/#other. Jill
I ordered these lunchbot products the other day and they came! I was so excited. Unfortunately after trying them them out (specifically the thermoses) for the last couple of the days, they do NOT keep food warm at all. Food ends up at room temperature. I definitely do not recommend them. The leakproof containers seem OK though. Just my two cents!
My daughter is in 3rd grade and I bought her a Planet Box lunchbox several years ago now. It solved several problems — first, it is ONE container for her to open, which helps ensure that my slow eater has as much time as possible to eat during her short lunchtime, second, she grazes ALL the items that I send, rather than just opening one container and eating all of one item then not touching anything else, and Third, it is EASY for little hands to open, yet it stays shut and the food stays separated all day long. The upside is that it is stainless steal made in the USA, so it is not leaching chemicals into her food (plastics leach into food — especially acidic and/or warm foods, and eventually contribute to cancer). The downside is that it is relatively expensive and heavy. That said, it has lasted a normal little kid several years now, gets washed every night (dishwasher safe, but husband hand washes it), and shows no wear and tear — I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten my $$$ worth AND I sleep well at night. HIGHLY recommend!!!
I saw your write up on how to use a Thermos the other day and I just saw your write up about the Lunchbots container. But is that the one you use for your kids? I have the Thermos brand and my kids have always complained that it was cold. So was thinking about trying the Lunchbots, but wanted to know if you have tested that brand?
Thanks
Meg
The Lunchbots thermos is a little big for my small children so we have not tested it or tried it in their lunches. Sorry I don’t have a better answer!
Lunch is always such a big challenge. I find I have to consciously take time the night before or get up early enough to prepare or it’s off to the snack machines!
I love your suggestions but am a bit confused. Do your girls eat the leftover pizza and chicken cold? I have tried heating the chicken and then sending it to school with my son in a thermos but it gets soggy by lunch time. I really want to make changes but my boys are so picky (they’d rather go hungry than eat what I send sometimes) and the whole cold vs. hot dilemma gets me.
Hi Laura. Yes, they eat it cold. Mine will even eat cold grilled cheese (or at least more room temperature). Jill