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When you’re on the move, it can be hard to eat healthy. Try one of these bento boxes to make prepping your lunch simpler and more fun.
Whether you ran before work or plan to after, your body needs a balance of protein, carbs, and healthy fats to repair your muscles post-workout and set you up with all-day energy. Plus, a nutritious mid-day meal (and snacks!) will save you from an afternoon slump and resulting candy binge in the company cafeteria.
Luckily, many of the best foods for runners are highly portable: Think turkey sandwich on whole grain bread, cucumber rounds and hummus, apple slices and cheese chunks, black bean burritos, celery sticks with peanut butter, almonds and raisins. Indeed, the more variety in your daily diet the better—you load up on runner-friendly nutrients. Packing your lunch and snacks puts portion size and nutrient density in your control—and saves you money! Here are the best ways to take your meals with you.
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Best Stainless Steel: GreenLunch Bento
A layered stainless steel set that is large enough to hold six cups of food, but at 7.2 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches not so huge it will take up your entire duffel bag. Stash your turkey-on-whole-grain sandwich in the bottom compartment; the stainless steel ensures your tomato and romaine lettuce toppings stay cool and crispy. Smaller compartments are good for hummus, carrots, and pita chips, but even if you tighten the latches, the seal is not quite secure enough for salad dressing or for tossing the box around in your gym bag. You can feel good about the fact that it is BPA-free, PVC-free, Phthalate-free, and lead-free, and about its money-back guarantee.
Buy it: $22.95, amazon.com
Best Lightweight Laptop: Bentology Bento Lunch Box
At 9 x 7 inches, this lightweight single-layer BPA-free plastic box is large enough to use as a tray in your lap if you’re lucky enough to take an outdoor lunch break. It comes with five containers—including a tiny one perfect for portion-controlled salad dressing—three of which have lids that seal tightly enough for thick liquids (though not soup). The box itself latches securely—some users report it’s too difficult for little hands to open—but save the open containers for foods that aren’t runny, like hard-boiled eggs, grapes, and pretzel sticks. Dishwasher safe on the top rack, it is a bit of a puzzle to put together, so practice before you’re in rush to get out the door.
Buy it: $12.99, amazon.com
Best Stack and Carry: Unichart Stackable Containers with Lunch Bag
This three-tiered stainless-steel set comes with a cute and insulated carrying case. The top container has a plastic seal tight enough to keep a thick soup from leaking, and will keep your soup warm (though not piping hot) for a few hours. Store fruit and veggie slices in the middle layer, and cool carbs like rice pilaf or pasta salad in the bottom layer. The bag has a convenient outside pocket in which you can stash small snacks like nuts or pretzels, or utensils and cleaning wipes.
Buy it: $29.99, amazon.com
Sleek Design with Full Cutlery: Mercier Kitchen Bento
The two stackable 1.5-inch-high compartments in this highly rated 7 x 4 inch set snap into each other for a tight fit. The lids are vented with tiny holes, so you won’t want to use this for soup, but the BPA-free trays are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so you can reheat pasta or chicken strips and pop it in the dishwasher when you get home at night. Reviewers love this set’s sleek design, though they also note that the securing strap is a necessity; without it, contents spill out. As a bonus, this bento box set comes with a fork, knife, and spoon nested in a separate top layer.
Buy it: $21.95, amazon.com
Most Elegant: Aoosy Double Layer Wooden With Fork and Spoon
A handsome, kidney-bean-shaped two-tiered natural wood set elevates your desktop dining experience. The set comes with a T-shaped divider that can separate your food during travel and serve as a resting place for the included fork and spoon during mealtime. It won’t seal as tightly as a plastic container, so it’s best for sandwiches, veggie slices, sticky rice, and other solid snacks. Wood requires loving-kindness: You can’t put these containers in the microwave or dishwasher, nor would you want to bleach them. But what better way to be a mindful eater, even when you’re dining on the go?
Buy it: $38.34, amazon.com
Best With Thermos: OmieBox Bento, $39.50
Want something warm for lunch but don’t have access to a microwave? This adorable bento box packs a one-cup-size insulated BPA-free thermos bowl to keep a nutrient-dense chunky chili warm without melting your cheddar cheese cubes nesting on the side. Designed for kids, it is admittedly small, so use it for healthy calorie-dense foods and toss into your backpack a durable snack like an apple and a Kind bar for later.
Buy it: $39.50, amazon.com
Authentic Minimalism: Takenaka Bento Box Double
Take your lunch to work like an authentic Japanese salaryman. Available in a variety of solid modern colors and sizes (from 500 ml to 900 ml), this two-layered bento box is sleek, elegant, and minimal. It snaps together without the use of latches and stays locked with an enclosed elastic strap. The hard BPA-free plastic is microwave and dishwasher safe. There are no dividers other than the layers, so it’s up to you to get creative with your packing. Bonus points if you bring nutrient-rich seaweed salad.
Buy it: $37, designedstore.com
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