Bento Boxes and Balanced Meals

I have recently begun packing bento boxes for my husband's lunch to take to work. I have collected information from around the web regarding the benefits and ease of packing these well packed lunches. I also was able to find perfectly sized divided containers at Walmart for only $3.96 for 2! Keep in mind that this is not necessarily "japanese" food. The goal is a well packed, well balanced meal with minimum waste.

Benefits of the Bento Box Method:

The Bento Box provides a balanced meal that can not only provide adequate nutrition but also calorie/portion control. It is a great way to provide your family with a nutritious meal that is very filling. Keep in mind that the Bento Box is meant for lunch therefore it has a higher amount of carbs than your other meals should have. Carbs are utilized during the day versus being stored at night when you sleep.

Rules of the Bento Box for lunch:

• 3 parts grain
• 1 part protein
• 2 parts vegetables

Planning guide for packing a bento box:

For a general balanced meal according to Japanese food guidelines the following is an idea of what your plate should look like:

The following is a fantastic illustration of a balanced diet (much better than our redesigned food pyramid):