A common Japanese concept is quickly making its way into the United States: bento boxes are the new thing for school lunches.
Kids who bring sack lunches to school often find their lunches to be smashed and all mixed when they pull them out of their backpacks at lunchtime. A bento box solves this problem, making the meal much more enjoyable for kids.
Bento boxes are small containers that are divided into compartments (and sometimes even layers). Parents can pack different parts of the lunch in different compartments, ensuring that everything stays where it is supposed to stay.
Another advantage of bento boxes is that parents can pack well-balanced meals, including small amounts of a wide variety of foods. It is not uncommon for kids to eat half of a sandwich and throw the rest away. With a bento box, parents can pack mini sandwiches, along with several other mini courses, so their kids will eat everything.
Bento boxes are also convenient in that they are easy to clean because they come apart in different sections. When kids bring them home, all they need to do is disassemble them and throw them in the dishwasher.
While not crucial to providing your child with a well-balanced, organized meal, bento boxes can be a fun way to show your kids that bringing cold lunch does not have to be boring or generic.
Maria_M27on October 22 2009 14:25:29
I've never heard of these, but they sound great. I remember how annoying it was to find a smashed sandwich awaiting me at lunch. This product though will make it possible to pack all sorts of things for picky eaters I might just have to buy one for myself since it sounds too cute!
hok917on October 22 2009 19:20:48
This is great. I know that I always had a brown paper bag for lunch when I was growing up and my sandwich would always be in a ball, rather than a flat sandwich.
I might just have to buy one for myself since it sounds too cute!