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Home » Kids » School Lunches

Our New Lunch Boxes and Bags

With both my girls in middle school now (how'd that happen??) there were some strong opinions about what kind of lunch boxes (and bags) they'd be using this year. I've been sharing some photos on Instagram and Facebook and getting questions, so I thought I'd dedicate an entire post to our new supplies.

Our New Lunch Boxes on 100 Days of Real Food

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Our New Lunch Boxes and Bags

Both girls requested the pictured cube style boxes that they've seen some others using. As you can see with the packed lunch pictures below, they fold open to three different compartments. They are made by Sistema (not a sponsor), can be found at Amazon, Walmart, or Target, and come in different colors.

They also both begged me for Vera Bradley lunch bags (luckily we have an outlet nearby, but they are also available on Amazon). This is another one that's "trending" at their middle school right now and clearly geared more toward girls (sorry to the boy moms reading this!). Even though these are not my personal favorites, as I'll explain below, middle school has enough challenges as it is so I did not fight them on getting this new gear. You can see our other lunch box favorites on this lunch box review post from the archives.

Pros and Cons

PROS
One thing I like about their new lunch boxes, aside from the fact that using them makes my girls happy, is the capacity seems to be bigger than some of our other boxes and therefore more on point for hungry middle school athletes. They asked for the matching little side cups (pictured), and since they fold up into cubes I can easily fit both containers into their lunch bags on the days they really have a big appetite. Or I can cram in something else (like a bag of popcorn) along with the main lunch box.

The lid is attached to these boxes (the big compartment ends up being upside down when you fold it up) so I suppose it's helpful that you can't lose or misplace the lid, although it does take up a little more room in the dishwasher as a result. I also like that they come in different colors so I no longer have to put sticky notes on the packed lunches in the fridge (like I did with Ziploc containers) so the girls know whose is whose. A minor detail, but sometimes one less thing to do can make a difference ... not to mention it's less wasteful without the sticky notes!

CONS
What I don't like about the lunch boxes is that they are not leak-proof. This is again why we bought the side containers, which are leak-proof and what we'll use for yogurt or sauce or juicy watermelon (as pictured below). In regard to the lunch bag, I don't like that there is not a drink holder on the side, but my kids told me they can just put their water cups in the side pocket of their backpack and bring those to lunch (and refill them throughout the day as needed).

I will also add that I like how, since these are their lunch boxes of choice (for the moment), they are more willing to help me pack their lunch in these containers. They have been helping more, at least so far (only a week and a half into the new school year) ... let's hope it lasts. I did tell them I would only buy these things if they promised to help with their lunches more than last year. :)

What We've Been Packing

For those not on social media, or for anyone who would like to see these ideas in one place, this is what we've been packing in the new lunch boxes so far this school year!

Packed school lunch with BLT on Whole-Wheat bread, Grapes, Popcorn

  • BLTs on Whole-Wheat
  • Grapes
  • Popcorn

Packed school lunch of Leftover taco meat/veggies/beans, Corn tortilla (in foil), Sour cream Cheese Cabbage, cilantro and other veggies to go on top

  • Leftover taco meat/veggies/beans
  • Corn tortilla (in foil)
  • Sour cream
  • Cheese
  • Cabbage, cilantro and other veggies to go on top

Packed school lunch of Cheese melted in a whole-wheat tortilla, 2 whole-wheat cinnamon graham crackers, Sliced bell peppers, Grapes, Bag of popcorn

  • Cheese melted in a whole-wheat tortilla
  • 2 whole-wheat cinnamon graham crackers
  • Sliced bell peppers
  • Grapes
  • Bag of popcorn on the side

Packed school lunch of A thrown together corn/tomato/black bean salad (made with leftover corn on the cob) Pasta Salad with Red Pepper Pesto (coming to the blog soon) Cheese stick Organic pepperoni Apples and cantaloupe

  • A thrown together corn/tomato/black bean salad (made with leftover corn on the cob)
  • Pasta Salad with Red Pepper Pesto (coming to the blog soon)
  • Cheese stick
  • Organic pepperoni
  • Apples and cantaloupe

Packed school lunch of Hummus, cheese and lettuce sandwich Banana and PB Popcorn and roasted pumpkin seed mix Watermelon

  • Hummus, cheese and lettuce sandwich
  • Banana and PB
  • Popcorn and roasted pumpkin seed mix
  • Watermelon

Packed school lunch of Hummus/cheese/tomato/lettuce wrap Avocado (she squirted a little lime juice on it) Grapes Leftover Chicken Satay and Coconut Rice (both served cold)

  • Hummus/cheese/tomato/lettuce wrap
  • Avocado (she squirted a little lime juice on it)
  • Grapes (I guess 4 was enough 🤣)
  • Leftover Chicken Satay and Coconut Rice (both served cold)

What lunch boxes and bags have you been using this school year?

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About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. Danila Bell says

    September 26, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    I bought two of this an a yard sales isi bought 2 and there a new with everything show me new but it is missing the latch to close the box:
    :((( :(((
    How I can buy the LATCH PINK PURPLE ? Please

    Reply
    • 100 Days Admin says

      September 28, 2020 at 10:44 am

      You would probably need to contact Sistema directly to see if they could send you a replacement latch. - Nicole

      Reply
  2. Carolina says

    November 12, 2019 at 4:37 am

    Thank you Nicole!

    Reply
  3. Carolina says

    October 29, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    Thanks Lisa for all your practical advise over the years! Can you please give more details on the leak-proof side containers? How big are they?

    Reply
    • 100 Days Admin says

      November 01, 2019 at 4:25 pm

      Hi Carolina, you can find all the details for the side containers here: https://amzn.to/338PgF0
      - Nicole

      Reply
  4. Nina says

    August 28, 2019 at 10:06 am

    Where do you find the organic pepperoni?

    Reply
    • Lisa Leake says

      October 15, 2019 at 9:45 am

      Whole Foods

      Reply
    • Jamie says

      August 14, 2022 at 11:05 pm

      Do you have any suggestions for ice packs?? I'm overwhelmed!

      Reply
  5. Kristi says

    March 28, 2019 at 11:30 am

    I first saw these boxes in a school fund raiser and have 2 of them. Don't think they are the same brand because they don't fasten the same. I'm not crazy about them for what Lisa mentions - not leak proof. However, since my daughter loves them, I have found that I can put a piece of Press 'n' Seal over the fruit (or anything else that might cause moisture) to keep it from leaking. Works great! Got this idea after my son complained that his sandwich bread was a little soggy. :)

    Reply
    • 100 Days Admin says

      July 17, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      Great tip! - Nicole

      Reply
  6. Tiffany says

    January 09, 2019 at 11:29 am

    what is your coconut rice recipe? Looks yummy!

    Reply
    • 100 Days Admin says

      February 22, 2019 at 2:44 pm

      It's from Lisa's 100 Days of Real Food On a Budget cookbook. - Nicole

      Reply
  7. Bonnie says

    October 03, 2018 at 8:35 pm

    Is the taco meat and melted cheese sandwhich meant to be cold? My middle schooler and high schooler are plain janes when it comes to lunch. I rarely get them to try different things.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 31, 2018 at 3:11 pm

      Yes, my kids eat all sorts of stuff cold in their school lunch (that's normally served warm).

      Reply
  8. Amber says

    October 02, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    We have used these for years! I use 2 reusable cupcake liners in one of the small sections if I want to break it up even more.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 31, 2018 at 3:11 pm

      I've started doing that too - works great!

      Reply
  9. Tracy S. says

    October 02, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    Hi, I bought these this school year too. Found them at Home Goods at a great price. My boys are in third and fifth grades. We've been using Planetbox stainless containers and while I love that they are stainless, I find I'm packing more little things because of all of the spaces in the Planetbox container which may not be necessary. This container is much easier. A simple but filling lunch and my boys love it.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 31, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      I agree - more filling! I saw them at Old Navy the other day also.

      Reply
  10. Casi says

    October 02, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    Do these cubes fit in the lunch bags from Land's end?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 31, 2018 at 3:26 pm

      Yes, they do!

      Reply
  11. Amber Prince says

    September 16, 2018 at 2:12 pm

    Where do you find 100% Whole Wheat Graham Crackers? Or do you make them?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:03 pm

      These are actually not 100%, but they are more than 50% (a compromise). Annie's brand from Earth Fare.

      Reply
  12. Susan says

    September 07, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    Too much plastic in use. Love your lunch idea photos though!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:19 pm

      We have stainless steel options as well, but these are the boxes they prefer right now. Just choosing my battles with them at this stage in life! :)

      Reply
  13. Susan says

    September 07, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    Do the girls complain about the food being scattered around by the time they tote their lunch to school in their backpacks?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:18 pm

      No complaints of that and it's usually all eaten by the time they get home.

      Reply
  14. Lissa Jorgensen says

    September 06, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    When it comes to cooler bags, my favorite are the Arctic Zone expandable lunchboxes from Costco (available in my area now, but who knows how long they'll be around). The ice packs for those are the BEST. I leave my house at 7:15 in the morning and when I leave work after 5pm, the ice packs are still cold (though not completely frozen). Plus, the lunchbox comes with a convertible bento container set that can be used in different configurations.

    The cooler bag is large enough to (snugly) fit two Laptop Lunches/Bentology lunchboxes with a little wiggle room for snacks (like an Rx Bar) which means it's perfect for days I need to pack both lunch AND dinner. I might be a little more particular about dinner options since by 6-7pm, the ice pack is pretty much melted, but a PB&J, berries, and sugar snap peas don't need to be kept ice cold, right?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks for the tips - sounds like a big bag!

      Reply
  15. Sarah says

    September 06, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    I love these posts! I have twin girls who are in elementary school and your girls being close in age gives a fun look into the future. I bought the yogurt pots to try for my daughter who loves peach yogurt and I might get the cube to try too (we are using the lands end lunch bags and easy lunch boxes and holy leakage for yogurt in those!)

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:17 pm

      I am so glad it's helpful! :)

      Reply
  16. Amanda Sorensen says

    September 06, 2018 at 2:22 pm

    I’d really like to see what these lunches look like when your daughters open them. They are beautiful when they are just packed, but having loose sour cream leads me to believe that there would be quite a mess when they are opened.

    This isn’t a criticism. I love your page and what you promote. I’m just another mom, packing lunches wondering how you keep a liquid-like substance from getting all over the place.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:16 pm

      They would be mortified if I showed up at lunch time at the middle school to snap a picture, but here's one I took when they were in elementary school: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/school-lunch-life-cycle/

      Reply
  17. Holly S. says

    September 06, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    So whatever you put in the box that ends up upside-down when you close it gets all over the underside of the lid?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      That's right! It gets tossed all around in their backpack on the way to school anyway, so it's really not anything out of the ordinary for us.

      Reply
  18. Kate says

    September 06, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    We have one of those lunch boxes, and I like it a lot. Our local World Market sells them.

    Reply
  19. Grace says

    September 05, 2018 at 11:16 pm

    Thanks! Love these lunch ideas and cute lunch bags! Question: for the hot foods, do you reheat before packing? Or they eat them cold? I’m afraid one of my kids will not eat it unless it’s reasonably warm by lunch time. Plus I’ve heard concerns about food safety when food is left out above a certain temp. for that long. Too bad they aren’t offered a good way to reheat food. :(

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:50 pm

      I only send hot foods in a thermos. Everything else is cold (and sent in an insulated lunch bag with ice packs).

      Reply
  20. jane says

    September 05, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    Your lunches look amazing!!! My kids don't like me serving "healthy" foods. To them, it has no taste and looks different from the other kids. I give up. They pretty much just eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:49 pm

      Well, PB&J can be healthy with whole-wheat bread, 1-ingredient peanut butter, and jam without refined sugar :)

      Reply
  21. Brianne says

    September 05, 2018 at 1:28 pm

    Where did you find those bags of popcorn? My daughter loves them and I haven’t seen them in individual bags before!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:46 pm

      Amazon!

      Reply
  22. Andrea says

    September 05, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    We have had these for years. For my sandwish eating kid they work well for my kid of multiple little items, not so well. This year my samdwich kid said - no more. He doesn’t like it because he has to wash, dry and put it away because I don’t like it taking up way too much room in the dishwasher. So he is going back to smaller containers for a while. My parents saw them and had to have them for themselves for their outings that they bring lunch. (Amazon/Target)

    Reply
  23. Simona says

    September 05, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    I bought these last year, because of the capacity and ease of use, but they were destroyed in no time. Having said that, my boys are really rough with their belongings and throw their backpack around all the time. So this might not be a problem for you.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:48 pm

      Well, it's a good thing it's not a big investment!

      Reply
  24. Jeannie says

    September 05, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    You should check out Okidoki's new lunchsacks and boxes. Made from recycled billboards with a pocket inside for an ice pack. Awesome, waterproof, indestructable amd green

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:48 pm

      Interesting - thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  25. Lynn says

    September 05, 2018 at 10:57 am

    Do the "crunchy" items aka popcorn, etc. stay crunchy? I pack lunches the night before and wonder if items will keep their crunch.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:47 pm

      No complaints so far. Probably not as good as our boxes with leak-proof compartments, but good enough to eat. :)

      Reply
  26. Sarah R says

    September 05, 2018 at 10:27 am

    I love the Sistema boxes! We bought ours for preschool snacks 4 years ago, and it has lasted all this time! It was a good investment considering it is not as expensive as other brands I've seen. We have also had good luck with the lunch bags that Costco sells.

    Reply
    • Lissa Jorgensen says

      September 06, 2018 at 11:04 pm

      The Arctic Zone expandable lunchbags? Those are the BEST! I have yet to find an ice pack that works as well as the ones in those bags- and I've tried everything.

      Reply
      • Sarah R says

        September 07, 2018 at 12:51 pm

        Yes, that was it! I wrote the comment while the kids were in school with the lunch boxes. :)

  27. Emlyn says

    September 04, 2018 at 11:43 pm

    I just got these boxes for my first grader purely for the fact that it’s all one piece and there’s no lid to lose!!! (Her middle school cousins had them too that we saw in use on a family trip this summer, which helped) We lost so many lids last year, it was driving me crazy.

    Reply
  28. Karen says

    September 04, 2018 at 10:10 pm

    We love the Sistema boxes! I found ours at Marshall's four years ago..no, five years ago (she's a fourth grader now!) and they've been going strong ever since.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      September 25, 2018 at 4:46 pm

      Good to know they last!

      Reply

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Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

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