Bento Lunches

Bento Friendly Foods

Packing a bento is easy with the right supplies on hand!

• Eggs. Hard boiled eggs are a convenient and easy source of protein. If you want to put a bit more work into your bento, you can use a cute mold to shape your hard boiled egg. Some people like to include omelets in their bentos as well.
• Cheese. Cheese slices, or individually wrapped cheeses such as Babybel or string cheese, are another great and convenient way to add protein and flavor to your bento.
• Veggies. Fresh veggies add color and variety to your bento, and are good for you as well. Cookie cutters or special tools can be used to make cute veggie shapes to decorate your bento. Veggies are especially fun when packed with dips like hummus or dressing.
• Leftovers! It may not be exciting, but last night's leftovers can often make a fine bento. This especially works well if the leftovers are only a portion of the bento and you have other foods for variety as well.
• Treats! Treats can vary from sliced fruit, to individually-wrapped mini candy bars, to cookies, pieces of chocolate, or gelatin or pudding cups.
• Nuts. Whatever kind strikes your fancy!
• Fruit. I like to pack fruit with peanut butter as a dipping sauce. Sprinkling lemon juice over cut fruits will help them stay fresh and not turn brown by lunch time. Frozen fruits can also work well, and they tend to be thawed by lunch time.
• Yogurt--I like mine mixed with frozen berries, almonds and honey. Granola works well too.
• Soy protein. If you have access to a microwave when you eat your lunch, I find that soy protein such as veggie burgers, fake bacon and sausage, etc. tends to bento well. I especially like products from Morning Star Farms.
• Grains. Rice is common and goes with many different types of bento foods. Other options include pasta, bread, cous cous and quinoa.
• Meats. Meat can include anything from lunch meat to stir fry, baked chicken, barbeque or hot dogs.
• Frozen appetizers. Because of their small size, these work well in bento. They are convenient and a nice way to add variety to your lunch.
• "Traditional" lunch foods such as sandwiches, potato chips, and apples can all be put in a bento. Basically, your limit is your imagination!