I’ve always been interested in Bento Boxes. If you’ve never heard of a Bento Box, it’s a meal consisting of a variety of different foods typically served in a box. The concept is Japanese in origin, but has gotten popular in the U.S. over the past couple of years. I like Bento Boxes because they allow me to combine a variety of snacks into a meal. It’s fun to eat snacks for a meal and Bento Boxes help combine snacks in a balanced way. Bento Boxes typically have a certain formula. Follow along as I share my guide for how to create your own Bento Box.
Formula
When I started my research for this post I learned that there is no one specific formula for a Bento Box. I went to several different articles to create a formula for this guide. My sources are listed later, so feel free to create your own formula based on your taste.
I like to incorporate a protein, veggie, fruit, dairy, and carb into my Bento Boxes. The carb is always optional. See examples for each component below.
Protein – 1/4 of Box
Most of the time I do a meat for the protein, but sometimes I like to incorporate a vegetarian option. Protein helps keep you fuller longer.
Veggie – 1/4 of Box
Veggies have plenty of vitamins and minerals. They also have a lot of fiber which is great for digestion. I typically like to pick a veggie that will coincide with a dairy dip. Or I might do something that could go with peanut butter(a protein). It’s not necessary, but I like to pick components that are eaten well together.
Fruit – 1/4 of Box
Fruit is my favorite. It’s high in fiber, so it’s good for you, but it also has a sweetness that can give some of the same satisfaction as dessert. Fruit can help reduce the cravings for sweets later in the day.
Dairy – 1/8 of Box
Dairy typically adds a little more protein and satisfies the desire for eating something creamy. Dairy is only 1/8 of the box, but if you forgo the carbs, double the amount of dairy.
Carb – 1/8 of Box
I tend to look at carbs as “evil” so this section is optional. I think the reason I shy away from carbs is because you never know how processed most carb options are. If I am eating a higher carb snack I prefer to make it myself.
Sources
As I mentioned above, I used a variety of websites to create my formula for the perfect Bento Box. Check out the websites below for more information on Bento Boxes!
I would love to see the combinations you come up with. Comment below!
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