This article was co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg. Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic.
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For students, packing your own lunch can mean freedom from the same cafeteria food each day, or from a parent's tastes in lunch packing. For professionals, it can mean having a lunch hour free for exercising, having fun, networking with colleagues, or getting some work done. In either case, packing a lunch can save money and allow you to take control of your health and your diet.
Steps
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Select a good lunch box. Besides your favorite color (or cartoon character) look for these characteristics:
- Ample capacity, especially if you are packing food for an entire day and not just a lunch hour. Don't forget.
- Insulation. With good insulation and a freezer pack to keep things cool, foods will be fresher at lunchtime. Wrap juice boxes in newspaper to keep them cold.
- Carrying handles or straps. Try these in the shop, especially if you will carry your lunch box by hand a great deal, such as if you walk or cycle to school.
- Easy cleanup. No matter how carefully you pack, your lunch box will end up with crumbs and spills in it, so think, when you buy it, think about how easy it will be to wipe or rinse out.
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Prepare the day before what you want to have because if you don't have something you want, you can pop down to the shops. You can even plan your lunch menus a week ahead, if you like. Preparing your lunch the night before also means less time is wasted in the morning.Advertisement
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Place your lunch box in the refrigerator once it is packed, to keep perishable items from spoiling.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat are some foods I can pack? I'm always stuck, I just don't know what to pack.Community AnswerYou can pack a sandwich which would be the main meal, then a snack to accompany the meal such as a fruit or a granola bar. Then H20 and a yogurt or any other snack in case you get hungry after school.
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QuestionHow do I save it for next time?Community AnswerIf you have any leftovers, keep them in the fridge, and eat them later that day or the next day.
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QuestionWhat if you're a kid and packing your own lunch?Zara10cateCommunity AnswerEven if you are a child, you can still use the information above as a guideline to pack your own lunch. However, you may want to consider asking for help from an adult if you are new to this experience.
Video
Tips
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Make a timetable for what you would like each day. Include lots of fruit and vary your decisions. Also include a napkin or some hand gel for before lunch and afterwards.Thanks
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Keep a supply of foods on hand that are easy to add to your lunches. Yogurt, granola bars, dried fruit, and other snacks travel well.Thanks
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If you don't have a microwave or a refrigerator available, use ice packs or cold drinks with an insulated lunch box or cooler to keep everything cool. Also try a thermos to keep a drink cool or warm.Thanks
Warnings
- Do not put meats or other perishable items in your lunch box and let it stay out at room temperature for more than a brief period.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Lunch box.
- Favorite foods.
- Containers or other wrapping material
- Fork, knife, spoon, napkin.
Expert Interview
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Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about recycling, check out our in-depth interview with Kathryn Kellogg.
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"I told my mom to pack me a last minute lunch and she went to the kitchen frantically. But when we looked at this together she was able to make me a last minute lunch."..." more