What are your favorite food containers/lunchboxes?

KaydeForce
KaydeForce Posts: 96 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I am always on the look out for new containers or lunchboxes because I bring my lunch to school/work most days. I bring a LOT of food because sometimes i'm at school from 8am until 10pm and I need a whole day's worth of food there. And I want variety - so lot's of different containers or compartments.

Do you have any suggestions? What are the ones you like best?
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Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I love my thermal tote from Thirty-One. I have the standard size, and it's enough for my lunch and snacks. They also have a cinch sack, which is a little bit larger, and a picnic thermal which should hold everything for an entire day (and probably plus some).
  • KaydeForce
    KaydeForce Posts: 96 Member
    Thanks, Lora!

    I'd really like to hear from other people as well. What I'm particularly interested in are the actual containers (like "Easy Lunchboxes" or "Mr. Bento" containers). I know everybody can benefit from bringing their own lunch. And having pretty containers to bring it in makes it easier - at least for me.
  • KaydeForce
    KaydeForce Posts: 96 Member
    *bump*
  • carlaunderconstruction
    carlaunderconstruction Posts: 158 Member
    You might not be interested, since my containers don't have compartments, but I love Pyrex. I buy the round ones that have a plastic lid for the top that seals. That way I can put leftovers in the microwave, and not worry about the plastic. I also find they are easier to wash.
  • rompers16
    rompers16 Posts: 5,404 Member
    I want to get the Easy lunchboxes for my kids but they're sold out :(
  • gramacanada
    gramacanada Posts: 557 Member
    LunchBots. They're stainless steel and come in different sizes: with one, two, three or four sections. With a tight fitting ( not leakproof ) lid. They're working on one with a silicone seal.
    Have to google them by name. I don't have the link sorry.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    I have these nifty gladware containers for salad that has a dressing cup that snaps into the bottom side of the salad bowl lid. LOVE IT!
  • alfpalmer
    alfpalmer Posts: 150 Member
    <<< this
  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    I pack multiple meals for my workdays, too, since I work from 9 to 9 and have a 40 minute one-way commute. I generally pack breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks on work days.

    I have a pretty good sized Thermos insulated lunch bag (but I put it in the fridge when I get to work), and then I use a variety of sizes of Gladware, Ziploc or Generic containers. Small ones for hummus or salad dressing, medium for side dishes or casseroles. Then I use baggies for meats, veggies or other finger foods.

    I don't like to spend too much on the containers, because I like to toss them if they get gross or the lids get lost, and using baggies helps with clean-up, too. I have seen some of the bento-style containers, but they look like a pain to clean.
  • ShyFeather
    ShyFeather Posts: 138 Member
    I have these nifty gladware containers for salad that has a dressing cup that snaps into the bottom side of the salad bowl lid. LOVE IT!
    Ditto this. They're cheap, reusable, and happen fit perfectly in my lunchbox. You can also buy small containers for salad dressing, but not by glad. Those small cups are really handy.
  • Scrute11
    Scrute11 Posts: 51 Member
    I have a bento lunch box from laptop lunches. I love it and you can get a couple of different sets of inserts if you want to change it up. Sometimes I need other containers as well, but often it's all I need. They also come with a little dressing container that fits in the other ones.

    Full confession: My co-workers at my last job bought it for me because they thought my 5-container lunch combinations were funny (strange funny).
  • KaydeForce
    KaydeForce Posts: 96 Member
    I also have the laptop lunches containers (not the outer box, though) and I find they are hard to close, even harder to open and when not closed properly they leak. I really don't like them. I had balsamic dressing all over the inside of my new bag once because of that :-((
  • backwood420
    backwood420 Posts: 3
    The only 1 for me is the Pack Fitness Meal Management System !!!:love: It allows me to organize my day! Got mine @ Popeye's in Montreal, Qc for $100.00.

    www.6packbags.com
    www.6packbags.com
    www.6packbags.com
    www.6packbags.com
    Its that good!
  • 126siany
    126siany Posts: 1,386 Member
    I am always on the look out for new containers or lunchboxes because I bring my lunch to school/work most days. I bring a LOT of food because sometimes i'm at school from 8am until 10pm and I need a whole day's worth of food there. And I want variety - so lot's of different containers or compartments.

    Do you have any suggestions? What are the ones you like best?

    I'm not fancy about it.

    I have Gladware, something similar from Ziploc and Target store brand. I make copious use of Ziploc bags in various sizes, too.

    Don't have a "lunchbox" per se, but have a large insulated cooler bag and a small one. They are both the Target brand "Embark", although other brands have jazzier patterns. Both have a removable plastic liner for easy cleaning.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    We have friends who own an Asian Fusion restaurant ... their take-out containers are the highly durable heavy plastic containers with lids. They let me purchase a case from them.

    Washable, dishwasher safe, freezer-safe, microwave-safe... my entire fridge-freezer has TONS of fresh made foods/meals. I just have to take out what I need when I pack my bag. They thaw slowly in my thermal lunch bag, and they are still at a very safe temperature to heat up in the microwave!

    Easy to clean too!
  • KaydeForce
    KaydeForce Posts: 96 Member
    The only 1 for me is the Pack Fitness Meal Management System !!!:love: It allows me to organize my day! Got mine @ Popeye's in Montreal, Qc for $100.00.

    www.6packbags.com
    www.6packbags.com
    www.6packbags.com
    www.6packbags.com
    Its that good!
    Those look awesome! Maybe a tad bit too big for me, but I'll definitely look into it. That's pretty much what I was looking for. Thanks!
  • caribougal
    caribougal Posts: 865 Member
    I love Planet Boxes. Stainless steel so no plastics used. All one piece that goes right in the dishwasher. Sealable containers for wet stuff or dips. I use them foe kid lunches, and they love picking their magnets in the morning and helping decide what their "treat" will be in the smallest section. I use it every day at work to pack a variety of portion controlled items. Love it!!!

    Www.planetbox.com

    Pricey, but built to last.
  • FenderGuy
    FenderGuy Posts: 32 Member
    LL Bean sells a nice insulated soft lunch box. Been using that for a year or so. Very handy.
  • KaydeForce
    KaydeForce Posts: 96 Member
    I looked into the planet boxes. How do you like the amount of food it holds? Is it too little for a whole day of work? To me those boxes look very small...
  • cbevan1229
    cbevan1229 Posts: 326 Member
    I don't have a bento box, but I want one.
  • allisonmrn
    allisonmrn Posts: 721 Member
    I love Planet Boxes. Stainless steel so no plastics used. All one piece that goes right in the dishwasher. Sealable containers for wet stuff or dips. I use them foe kid lunches, and they love picking their magnets in the morning and helping decide what their "treat" will be in the smallest section. I use it every day at work to pack a variety of portion controlled items. Love it!!!

    Www.planetbox.com

    Pricey, but built to last.

    Thank you for the link, I am def gonna check these out
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Checkout Walmart!!
  • monicalosesweight
    monicalosesweight Posts: 1,173 Member
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/19699713?adid=22222222227014739389&wmlspartner=wlpa&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=13702698430&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem&veh=dat

    I almost forgot to name it - my mini crockpot for work. :)

    I bought it at BJ's but they apparently sell it online through Walmart and in some stores. It's pretty neat. I pull out the metal pot and fill it with anything I love eating hot (spaghetti, grilled foods with rice, veggies...etc). I leave the little pot in my fridge and in the a.m. I grab it and I put it in the mini-crock pot. I take it to work and find an outlet and just plug it in. By the time my classes are done and lunch arrives, the food is nice and hot and I just wind up the cord (or not) and eat it in my room. I used to be so bored of sandwiches. Now, I make enough leftovers that I can easily just fill her up and plug it in my room. I do leave some paper bowls in case I forget. It's happened once to me. Oops. Grin. Either way, now I'm not so bored. I also don't waste like five minutes microwaving my food and it's guaranteed to be hot for lunch time.
  • Lyssa62
    Lyssa62 Posts: 930 Member
    Lock and Lock all the way. You can purchase a few of them at walmart (get the REAL) lock and locks...or you can order them on QVC.com I love them!
  • walkdmc
    walkdmc Posts: 529 Member
    Ooohhh, those 6packbags are sold on Amazon and they have smaller models! That looks like a great system and I have my eye on the 3 meal pack.
  • caribougal
    caribougal Posts: 865 Member
    I looked into the planet boxes. How do you like the amount of food it holds? Is it too little for a whole day of work? To me those boxes look very small...

    They have a version called the "rover" which is bigger for adults. they fit a full-size sandwich better and have fewer but bigger compartments. I had already bought the smaller kind before those came out. I find it's plenty of room for me. Room for 4-6 oz of protein, usually leftover meat from dinner or I make a lot of meat/cheese roll ups. Then I usually fill the others with veggies and fruit. It always looks colorful. People comment on my lunches at work every day because it looks so good in the box. I eat Paleo so my food is pretty filling.
  • KaydeForce
    KaydeForce Posts: 96 Member
    Ooohhh, those 6packbags are sold on Amazon and they have smaller models! That looks like a great system and I have my eye on the 3 meal pack.
    Let me know if you decide to get that one. I was worried it might be too big. I carry a LOT of food but I hide it in a tote bag. And this one is very obviously a lunchbag... So I don't know. I tried to find it at a GNC (they do sell them, not at every store though...) but I wasn't able to find a store who carries it so far...
  • sbrunskill
    sbrunskill Posts: 6
    I love love love the glaslock containers from bed bath and beyond. They make perfect small sizes (my favorite is a 3" by 4" which fits a little bit of the protein, carb, and Veggie that I made for dinner the night before. The size really helps with portion control. I usually make dinner for 4 or 6 (there are two of us), then put small meals together in these things and put them in the freezer. Then my husband and I can just grab a meal or two out of the freezer in the morning and be on our way, and I usually have a little bit of a variety in there also, so we don't always have to eat the same thing 2 days in a row. They are glass so you can take off the plastic lid (which does not leak like the pyrex ones) and put it in the microwave at work. They never leak, they don't discolor or take on the odor of the foods and I think they are about 7.00 each, which wile a bit pricier than the gladware, they will last forever. I have had my midgets for about 6 years and my glasslock containers for about 4.

    My other favorite must have are the tupperware midgets. (you can usually get them on amazon $7.00 for 6 of them). These are little 2 oz cups with a leak proof lid that are perfect for salad dressing, or one snack size portion of hummus or peanut butter to go with your carrots and celery sticks, which by the way fit perfectly into the glasslock containers.



    Good luck
  • natalie2355
    natalie2355 Posts: 93 Member
    The lunch bags from thirty one are nice... not great for when i work 12 hour days, but for my 8 hour days they work really well
  • tubbyelmo
    tubbyelmo Posts: 415 Member
    I carry my Elmo insulated lunch bag to work every day, got a few raised eyebrows when we moved into a new office building, it makes me smile!! Label says Fast Forward New York and Sesame Street. I use small clip-lock containers inside it. :happy:

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