A bento box is a traditional Japanese lunchbox style that has gained popularity worldwide due to its visually appealing and health-conscious nature. It’s a compact, balanced, visually pleasing meal packed neatly in a box. The idea behind this concept is portion control and balance – serving just the right amount of carbs, protein, fruits or vegetables.
If you’re tired of your regular office lunch routine and want to explore healthier options, here are some healthy bento box ideas for your office lunch.
For starters, consider making a Mediterranean-inspired bento box. This could include a serving of couscous or quinoa as your carb source. Add some grilled chicken breast or tofu for protein and fill the rest of the space with colourful veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, bell peppers or olives. Finish it off with hummus; not only does it add flavor but also serves as an excellent source of plant-based protein.
Another delightful option could be an Asian-inspired bento box filled with brown rice sushi rolls wrapped in seaweed sheets. They can be stuffed with any combination of avocado slices, julienne carrots or cucumbers, smoked salmon or crab meat for non-vegetarians and tofu for vegetarians. Accompany these delicious sushi rolls with steamed edamame beans sprinkled with sea salt on one side and pickled ginger on the other.
If you prefer something warm for lunch during colder months – how about going Mexican? Make whole wheat tortilla wraps loaded with black beans (great source of fiber), corn kernels (for crunch), diced bell peppers (for color), shredded cheese (for calcium) and lean ground turkey/chicken cooked in taco seasoning (for protein). Pair them up nicely with homemade salsa made from ripe tomatoes mixed with finely chopped onions, cilantro leaves & lime juice.
One crucial tip while packing these boxes is to ensure they have bright colors representing different food groups that provide various nutrients essential for our body. For example, red bell peppers are rich in Vitamin C; yellow corn has antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin; green leafy veggies are high in iron and calcium while brown rice or whole wheat bread provides complex carbs for sustained energy release.
Remember to be creative with your bento box ideas. You can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of fruits, vegetables or sandwiches. Also, try using silicone cupcake liners to separate different food items within the box.
In conclusion, these healthy bento box ideas not only help you maintain a balanced diet but also add a burst of colors to your everyday office lunch routine making it something you look forward to every day! So why wait? Start packing your own health-packed, visually pleasing bento boxes today!