Low-Waste Lunchboxes

“One of the hardest things we haven’t been able to tackle is our kids’ snacks: we still end up using a good amount of single use plastic wraps. Do you have any ideas?”

Citing convenience, ultraprocessed foods are often sold in single-serve packs. But such snack and lunch items are overpriced (you’re literally paying for that extra plastic!); they’re also often unhealthy for both people and the planet.

I get it: We’re overtired and overstressed, and packing wholesome foods can feel like yet another daunting chore. That’s why on today’s show I answer a listener’s question about how to pack low-waste lunchboxes without the extra stress (dozens of food ideas included!).

Here’s a preview:

[1:30] What recent research says about the health effects of ultraprocessed foods on human health

[7:00] The premiums we pay for foods packaged in single-serve plastics

[11:30] 5 quick tips for managing picky eaters

[17:30] The Bento Box route versus the traditional lunchbox: pros, cons, and gear recommendations

[24:00] 30+ low-waste lunchbox ideas

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #173: How To Simply Picky Eating
• Leeann’s FREE virtual event signup
• Eating Processed Foods Tied to Shorter Life (via NY Times)
• Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Participants of the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort (via Journal Of The American Medical Association)
• Homemade Cereal Bars (recommended by listener Elsa)
• Send me your best tips for packing low-waste lunchboxes! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)
• * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

Lunchbox gear that listeners love:

• Lunchbots stainless steel Bento Box (recommended by Lauren)
• Planet Box stainless steel Bento Box (recommended by Elsa)
• Sistema plastic containers (recommended by Sara)
• Packit lunchbox (recommended by Sara)
• Reusable sandwich container, preferably stainless steel (recommended by Patricia)
• Wean Green reusable glass containers (recommended by yours truly)
• Foogo thermos (recommended by yours truly)
• U-Konserve stainless steel containers with silicone lids
• Squeesy (great for applesauce, smoothies, yogurts, etc)

Powered by RedCircle

Low-waste lunchbox ideas:

Mains:

– Last night’s dinner in a thermos
– Soup and a slice of a baguette
– Pasta or mac & cheese
– Avocado and hummus sandwich
– Blackberry or raspberry and cream cheese sandwich
– Grilled cheese
– Quesadillas
– English muffin pizzas
– Oatmeal in thermos
– Mini bagel and cream cheese
– Homemade pancakes or waffles
– Egg croquettes

Dips:

– Ranch dressing and broccoli/carrots/cucumbers
– Small round boiled potatoes and hummus
– Any veggie and hummus
– Pita bread cut into triangles with hummus
– Apples or bananas in nut butter or sun butter
– Granola and yogurt

Snacks:

– Hard-boiled eggs
– Fruit in nature’s packaging (banana, clementine)
– “Softer” fruits (pear, peach) wrapped in a tea towel
– Crackers and cheese
– Fruit cup
– Olives
– Miniature corn
– Popcorn from the bulk bin
– Homemade trail mix
– Energy balls
– Homemade cookies
– Homemade muffins
– Homemade granola bars