Bento boxes are all the rage. For many Bento style lunches inspire a sense of healthy eating. Unlike traditional lunch boxes these little boxes come sectioned for just the right lunch portions. You can find adorable, practical, and simple bento boxes in stores and all over the internet for school lunch needs. With a new school year starting soon moms are beginning to sharpen their peanut butter and jelly making skills. Many children will be going off to school with money to buy lunch in the cafeteria. The issue with both is PB and J is not the healthiest sandwich and cafeteria food may not offer a healthy selection. You did not send your child off to school to purchase three cans of cola, greasy pizza, and a three day old cupcake. Bento boxes and bento box inspired lunches are coming to the rescue.
What is the traditional Bento Box style lunch?
A traditional bento will contain rice, fish or meat, and vegetables. The vegetables can be cooked or raw. The arrangement of food can be simple or elaborately done to create an image or cartoon character. Some are pure lunch art in a box.
How can you incorporate bento into your child’s school lunch
I highly recommend you visit the blog What’s for Lunch at Our House for some fun bento style lunches. You will see so many creative ideas and fun things to make your bento special.
To create your own bento you can certainly start out simply. Use healthy foods like lean meat, cheese, yogurt, fruit and veggies to fill up your bento container. Plan ahead of time to make sure you have enough healthy fixings for a variety of fun meals all week. Sometimes the only variety you need is creativity in presentation.
To simply create a fun bento use cookie cutters to make fun shapes from bread, lunch meat and cheese. You can use cauliflower as bubbles, broccoli for trees, cherry tomatoes for bulbs, cheese to make faces and olives for eyes. Get your children in on the act and you may find a fun way to serve a healthy lunch they will eat.