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:
–
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:
–
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:
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.
The Birthday Cupcake Moral Dilemma (and the solution!)
I LOVE our lunchbots containers and have used them for years. Their dips containers are great for sending hummus or other dips to go with the veggies you send in their lunches (this always gets my kids to eat more .) This year I am going to try some of their new leak-proof containers for my lunches!
love your ideas!
What lunch bags do you use? They do a good job fitting everything in.
Hi Kathy. It is the Lands End soft sided and you can find them here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/24/my-favorite-school-lunch-supplies/.
Let me say 3 words MADE IN CHINA!!! It doesn’t matter how “environmental” they are because you cant monitor or regulate what they do over there… product fail.
Hi there. Here is the link to the items Lisa buys: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/24/my-favorite-school-lunch-supplies/. I find these prices to be about the same as you would find if you were looking for them in Target. ~Amy
Hi.
I was wondering if anyone has a problem with getting the lunchbots open once they are filled.
My girls both struggle to open them and have to ask teachers to do it.
Seems odd as my daughter is 13 and capable but she says its impossible .
Am I using them incorrectly ? Any advice would be great.
Thanks in advance .
Angie
Hi Angie. Are you talking about the thermos or the bento containers? ~Amy
We purchased all 4 sizes of the lunchbots a few months ago, as well as one of the thermos containers and so far we are loving them. The different sizes are great for holding a multitude of snacks for my toddler and I. I have even found that they are great for adults. I pack my husbands lunches in them all the time, though sometimes his meals require two containers instead of one. We especially love how the thermos is wide enough that he can easily eat warmed leftovers in it, which saves him time from having to find the microwave at work. So I definitely recommend these for adults as well as children.
Would the DIPS work well for sending yogurt to school? We typically buy the larger yogurt tubs and then he eats it from a small bowl with fresh fruit. Trying to figure out the best way to send it to school for snack time. Also, his school does not refrigerate foods–they ask that we send “non-perishable foods”…but I can send it all in an insulated bag with an icepack and it will be fine, right? Sorry…first time mom sending her now big boy to school for the first time **insert tears here**!
Hello Gia. Yes, I think that will all work just fine. Here are posts with more details and more options for lunch containers: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/09/product-review-lunchboxes/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/24/my-favorite-school-lunch-supplies/. Keep smiling through those tears. :) ~Amy
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
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 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!
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!!!