Last updated: 16/10/2022

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Hello! Welcome. Here we’ll talk more about an item that used to be a priority for children, but is increasingly being used by adults: the lunch box. This super practical object has helped many adults to save money and have a healthier routine. There are several different shapes and styles of lunch boxes. Each one is ideal for one kind of need.

There are those that can be carried like a purse, those that fit inside your backpack and those that are bag style. With all this variety of lunch boxes, it’s hard to choose which one is ideal for you or your children. Here, we’ll talk about the main models of lunch boxes, their advantages and disadvantages, prices and where to buy them. Come along with us!




Summary

  • Lunchbox is no longer a child thing! There are also several models aimed at adults who like to take their own food to places.
  • There are several ways to carry your lunch box: on the back, on the shoulder, in the hands or inside the bag. Choose the model that offers more practicality for your day to day life!
  • Lunch boxes help you save money and eat healthier. It’s worth it!

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Buying Guide

Lunch out of home is a reality for many people who spend their days at work. But, not everyone likes to eat at a restaurant every day, so even adults have been taking their lunch box to work. Now that you know which are the best lunch box models, let’s talk more about its advantages and disadvantages, price, where to find it and what to consider before making the purchase!

Mulher saindo de casa sorrindo com sua lancheira na mão.

The lunch box has won the routine of adults who spend the day away from home. (Source: Cathy Yeulet / 123RF)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the lunch box?

The lunch box is a super practical item to carry food. It is very functional for those who do not want to spend money buying food on the street and also for those who seek a healthier diet. When carrying food that you have prepared yourself, you can be sure that it has been prepared with care and cleanliness.

However, when eating in restaurants, the chances of food poisoning are greater. In an interview for the site Food in Focus, nutritionist Sandra Ferreira explained how to transport food safely. In addition, the lunch box is also very useful for those who have children. It can be used to transport the snacks that your children take to school, and is great for storing food during outings and trips. Children, especially up to the age of 3, usually have a slightly more restrictive diet. When travelling, for example, it can be difficult to find healthy and ideal food for children. The lunch box plays the role of carrying the right food for your children.

Another advantage of lunch boxes is that most are thermal and they are very cheap. Spending up to £ 100 you can find a quality lunch box to use for years. One of their only disadvantages is that they are usually reasonably large, and can be a pain to carry in some situations, such as on public transport, for example. Also, they need to be cleaned frequently to ensure that the food is stored cleanly and hygienically.

Advantages
  • Stores food safely
  • Most are now thermal
  • Preserves food for longer
  • Encourages healthier eating
  • It is an economical option for those who do not want to eat out
  • Accessible
Disadvantages
  • Difficult to transport in some situations
  • It is necessary to clean frequently

What precautions should I take when using a lunch box?

The lunch box is a great way of carrying food. However, you need to take some care before you start using it. We have prepared a list with simple and valuable tips for you to better preserve your food.

  • The first step is to always keep the food and the lunch box in the refrigerator, below 10ºC, to avoid the proliferation of microorganisms.
  • In addition, cooked food should not be exposed to room temperature for more than 2 hours. Therefore, always prefer the thermal lunch box models, to preserve the food for longer.
  • If you take your lunch box to work, do not leave the food out of the fridge. As soon as you arrive, store your lunch box in the refrigerator.

If you are still in doubt between a Lunch Box, a Thermal Bag and a Thermal Box, we will help you solve the problem. The biggest difference between them is in the size. While the lunch box is easier to carry in your hand or in your rucksack, the cooler bag needs more effort because it’s much bigger. The box can come in different sizes, but its structure is firmer than that of the cooler bag. The lunch box is more suitable for those who carry little food, for their own use or that of their children, as it is compact and easier to carry.

How much does it cost?

One of the advantages of the lunch box is its very accessible price. For a small amount of money it is possible to find quality lunch boxes in the shops. A small children’s lunch box can be found for as little as £ 15, while larger ones cost from £ 40. There are also well-known branded lunch boxes, which can cost up to £ 300. However, it is possible to find a quality lunch box for as little as £ 100.

Imagem de lancheira branca com bolinhas.

Lunch boxes are relatively inexpensive and can be found in several shops and also online. (Source: Oleksii Demidov / 123RF)

Purchase criteria: What are the features to evaluate a lunch box?

Before you buy your lunch box, it is necessary to evaluate some items that will help you choose the best one for your needs. They are:

  • Lunch box type
  • Partitions
  • Model
  • Size
  • Design

We will explain item by item so that there is no doubt about lunchboxes!

Lunch Box Type

There are three main types of lunch boxes available on the market today. Each one is ideal for different situations and for carrying different types of food. These are the types:

Thermal Lunchbox

The preferred model for fitness and fitness enthusiasts. The thermal lunch box is very efficient for those who carry cooked food that needs to go to the fridge, such as beans, eggs and meat fillets. With the lunch box, you can keep your food protected for much longer. We recommend leaving cooked food out of the fridge for only 2 hours. In the Lunch Box, it is possible to preserve them for a longer time. If you like to carry around ready-made, perishable food for yourself or for the children, the best thing to do is to buy a lunch box. It will preserve your health and encourage you to eat in a more balanced way.

Plastic lunch box

Plastic lunch boxes are not capable of preserving the temperature of food. Therefore, they are more suitable for non-perishable snacks such as unpeeled fruit, biscuits, dry cakes and juices. This model is most often used by children who take a morning or afternoon snack to eat between classes. However, it can also be used by adults who wish to carry easy snacks.

Backpack + Lunch Box Kit

When looking for a lunch box for children, you’ll notice that there are several models of backpacks that already come with a lunch box. This option is the most suitable for those who were already thinking of buying a backpack, as it combines the useful and the pleasant. In addition to storing notebooks, books and cases, it will be possible to store, also, the snack of the playground.

Partitions

Most models of lunch box have, at least, a side pocket with nets. However, some, in pot format, may contain even more dividers, making it easier to separate the food. If you only store jars of food, a thermal lunch box, bag style or side bag style will be enough. The side pocket with nets can be useful for storing fruit. The lunch boxes with more dividers are more useful when it’s time to separate snacks. Especially for children. In one partition you can put cookies, in another one a sandwich and in the other one, fruit. It’s up to you!

Imagem de potes, talheres e lancheira.

The lunch boxes can have dividers or you can divide the snacks with jars. (Source: Satayu Sengsomwong / 123RF)

Model

There are several models of lunchbox that allow you to transport it in simple and practical ways. Before choosing yours, you need to take this into account! Some lunch boxes can be carried on the back, like small backpacks. This type may be more useful for children who take a lunch box to school.

There are also side-packs, which you carry like a small bag. This model is ideal for those seeking practicality. However, if you already carry a bag, it may be too much to carry. The “little bag” models, on the other hand, you carry with practicality in your hand. This is one of the types of lunch box preferred by those who take public transport.

Size

When buying your lunch box, it is essential to assess whether its size is sufficient for your needs. Children’s lunch boxes, for example, don’t need to be too big, as this makes them difficult to carry. As it is for a snack at school or a picnic, it should be small. If you like to always carry a pot of food for lunch, another for dinner and also a snack, you will need a larger model that meets your needs. So, first evaluate who the lunch box is for, which meals the person will have outside the home and then choose the size compatible with this reality.

Design

What is your style? Or your children’s? Children like lunch boxes that have their personality. Whether it is their favorite characters or the colours they like the most. This can encourage children to eat their lunchbox at school. For adults, this reflection is also important. Do you have a more serious, basic and discreet style or do you like to dare with colours and prints. Choose a lunch box that has something to do with your personality. But be careful, design is not everything. Prioritise the criteria already mentioned.

(Source of the highlighted image: Hans / Pixabay)

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