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Lunch Boxes

Lunch Boxes

Packing lunch is easier when you have the right container for the food you're taking. Whether it's leftovers for work, school lunches for the kids or something to eat while you're out and about, Shop Naturally has a range of reusable lunch boxes and food storage solutions to make everyday meals more convenient.

Choose from stainless steel lunch boxes, bento lunch boxes with separate compartments, snack pots for smaller portions, insulated food jars for hot or cold meals, and insulated lunch bags to carry everything together. Our range includes popular brands such as Ever Eco, Bentgo and OmieLife, with options for adults and children. From compact lunch boxes for a sandwich and a snack to larger designs with multiple compartments, there's something to suit different appetites, routines and the way you like to pack lunch.

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Lunch Boxes

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Choosing the Right Lunch Box

A good lunch box makes packing and carrying food easier, whether you're heading to work, packing school lunches or spending the day outdoors. Think about the meals you usually pack, how much space you need and where the lunch box will be carried. A few simple considerations can help you find one that suits your everyday routine.

For Work or School

Lunch boxes for adults often need enough room for a complete meal, whether that's a sandwich, salad, pasta or leftovers from dinner. Consider how easily the container fits into your work bag and whether you'll have access to a fridge or microwave during the day.

For children, look for a lunch box that's comfortable to carry and easy to open independently. Younger children may find simple latches or attached lids easier to manage, while compartments can make it fun to pack a variety of smaller foods. Our kids lunch boxes category is a great place to find options designed with school lunches in mind.

Stainless Steel or Bento?

Stainless steel refers to the material, while bento refers to the layout of the lunch box. You can have a stainless steel bento box, so it's really a matter of choosing the features that suit you.

Stainless steel lunch boxes are popular for their durability and long life. They're a great reusable option for everyday lunches, with different sizes and designs available. Bento lunch boxes have separate compartments that make it easy to pack several foods together, such as sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and snacks.

Some bento boxes have fixed compartments, while others offer removable dividers for more flexibility. If you regularly reheat lunch at work, remember that stainless steel isn't microwave safe, so a microwave-compatible container may be more convenient.

Size and Compartments

Think about how much food you normally pack rather than choosing the biggest lunch box available. A compact design may be perfect for a sandwich and snack, while larger appetites or longer days might call for extra capacity.

Compartments are handy for keeping different foods organised, particularly when packing fruit, crackers, sandwiches and dips. A single large compartment offers more flexibility for bigger meals, salads and leftovers. You can always add separate snack pots when you need a little extra space.

It's also worth checking the external dimensions, especially if the lunch box needs to fit inside a particular bag or school backpack.

Keeping Food Hot or Cold

If you're packing food that needs to stay chilled, an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack is a practical addition to your lunch kit. Choose a bag with enough room for your lunch box, drinks and any extra snacks you're taking.

For warm meals such as soup, pasta or leftovers, an insulated food jar can be a handy alternative to a traditional lunch box. These are also useful for keeping chilled foods cool. Look for a size that suits your appetite and an opening that's comfortable to eat from and easy to clean.

Cleaning and Everyday Use

A lunch box that's easy to clean is much more convenient to use every day. Simple shapes and removable compartments can make washing easier, while removable seals allow you to give lids a more thorough clean.

Dishwasher suitability varies between products, particularly where lids, seals or decorative finishes are involved. Whatever style you choose, washing and drying your lunch box after each use helps keep it fresh and ready for tomorrow's lunch.

Compare Your Lunch Box Options

Different lunch boxes and food containers suit different meals and routines. Whether you're packing sandwiches for school, leftovers for work or snacks for a day out, this quick comparison will help you choose the right combination.

Type	Main Benefits	Best For	Things to Consider
Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes	Durable, reusable and available in a variety of sizes and layouts	Sandwiches, salads, snacks and everyday lunches	Not microwave safe; some designs include compartments or leak-resistant seals
Bento Lunch Boxes	Separate compartments keep different foods organised	School lunches, mixed meals and packing a variety of snacks	Choose fixed or removable compartments to suit the foods you pack
Insulated Food Jars	Help keep hot foods hot and cold foods cool	Soups, pasta, leftovers, yoghurt and fruit	Consider capacity, opening size and ease of cleaning
Snack Pots & Containers	Convenient storage for smaller portions and extra snacks	Fruit, crackers, dips, dressings and lunch box extras	Choose sizes that fit comfortably alongside your main lunch box
Insulated Lunch Bags	Keep lunch essentials together and help maintain food temperatures	Carrying lunch boxes, drinks, snacks and ice packs	Check internal dimensions and allow room for an ice pack when needed

You can also mix and match to create a lunch kit that works for your routine. A stainless steel lunch box paired with a snack pot and insulated lunch bag might be perfect for work, while a compartment-style bento box offers a convenient way to pack a variety of foods for school.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best type of reusable lunch box?

The best reusable lunch box depends on what you usually pack. Bento boxes are great for keeping different foods organised, while a larger open container works well for sandwiches, salads and leftovers. Stainless steel is a popular choice for durability, and insulated food jars are handy for taking hot or cold meals to work or school.

Are stainless steel lunch boxes suitable for children?

Yes! Stainless steel lunch boxes can be a great choice for school lunches. Look for a size that's comfortable for your child to carry, with a lid or latches they can open independently. Compartments can be particularly useful for packing a variety of smaller foods, while a simple open design gives you more flexibility for sandwiches and larger snacks.

What's the difference between a bento box and a regular lunch box?

A bento box has separate compartments for organising different foods in one container. A traditional lunch box usually has one larger space, although some include removable dividers. Bento boxes are particularly popular for school lunches and meals with lots of variety. Both styles are available in different materials, including stainless steel.

How do I choose the right lunch box size?

Start with the amount of food you normally pack. A smaller lunch box might be perfect for a sandwich and snack, while larger meals or longer days may need more capacity. Consider whether you prefer separate compartments or one larger space, and check the external dimensions to make sure your chosen lunch box fits comfortably into your bag or backpack.

Are all lunch boxes leakproof?

Leak resistance depends on the design of the lunch box and its seals. Some lunch boxes have sealed lids or individually sealed compartments, while others are better suited to sandwiches, fruit and dry snacks. If you regularly pack yoghurt, dips, dressings or foods with sauces, look for a leakproof container designed to hold liquids.

How can I keep packed lunches cold?

Pair your lunch box with an insulated lunch bag and a suitable ice pack to help keep chilled foods cold until lunchtime. Pack food that's already cold and keep the lunch bag out of direct sunlight. For foods such as yoghurt, salads and sandwiches with perishable fillings, maintaining a safe chilled temperature is particularly important.

Can lunch boxes go in the dishwasher, microwave or freezer?

It depends on the material and design. Many reusable lunch boxes have dishwasher-safe components, while others are better suited to handwashing. For microwave reheating, choose a microwave-safe container rather than stainless steel. Freezer suitability also varies between products, so choose a container designed for the way you plan to prepare, store and reheat your meals.

Making Packed Lunches Easier

A little planning can make packed lunches quicker to prepare, easier to carry and more enjoyable to eat. Whether you're packing lunch for work, school or a day out, these simple tips can help you get the most from your reusable lunch boxes and accessories.

Build a Lunch Kit That Works

Start with a lunch box that suits your usual meals, then add a few useful extras. Small snack pots are perfect for dips, dressings and extra treats, while an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack helps keep chilled foods cool. A reusable drink bottle completes the kit.

For work lunches, keeping a travel cutlery set in your lunch bag or everyday bag means you'll always have proper cutlery ready for salads, leftovers and takeaway meals. Having a dedicated set packed and ready to go is one less thing to remember each morning.

Think About the Food First

One of the easiest ways to keep packed lunches appetising is to separate foods with different textures. Keep crackers away from juicy fruit, pack salad dressings in their own small container and give sandwiches enough room to avoid squashing them.

Bento lunch boxes are particularly handy for packing several different foods together, while a larger single-compartment lunch box can be more practical for wraps, salads and leftovers. You can always add a separate snack pot when you need extra compartments.

Check the Measurements

Before choosing a lunch box, think about where you'll carry it. A wide bento box might be perfect for organising a school lunch, but you'll want to make sure it fits comfortably inside the school bag or insulated lunch bag.

It's also worth considering the size of the food itself. If you regularly pack whole sandwiches or wraps, check that they'll fit without needing to be cut into smaller pieces. For work lunches, a container that fits neatly into your bag and the office fridge can make everyday life easier.

Make Cleaning Simple

Washing your lunch box after each use and allowing it to dry thoroughly helps keep it fresh for the next day. Pay particular attention to seals, latches and compartment edges, where small amounts of food can collect.

If your lunch box has removable silicone seals, taking them out occasionally allows you to clean underneath them properly. Once everything is clean and dry, storing the container with its lid slightly open can help keep it fresh between uses.