The Best Lunchboxes for Back to School: Encouraging Variety, Wholefoods & Naked Lunches
Artificial Food Dyes Exposed
Back to school means back to packing nutritious, balanced, and stress-free lunches! One of the best ways to set your child up for a healthy school year is by choosing the right lunchbox - one that encourages variety, wholefoods, and waste-free eating.
A bento-style lunchbox is my go-to recommendation for school lunches. Not only does it make food visually appealing and fun, but it also encourages a balanced diet, making it easier to meet your child’s daily nutritional needs.
Why Bento-Style Lunchboxes?
A bento lunchbox is divided into sections, which helps create a visually appealing and well-balanced meal. Each compartment can be filled with a different wholefood group, ensuring a variety of nutrients and textures.
The Benefits of Bento Lunchboxes:
Encourages variety – Each compartment is an opportunity to introduce different wholefoods.
Reduces reliance on processed foods – Pre-packed snacks don’t fit neatly into sections, making wholefoods the focus.
Supports ‘naked lunches’ – No need for plastic wrap or packaging, which is better for the environment.
Perfect for portion control – Helps parents pack the right balance of macronutrients.
Recess Matters: Two Lunchboxes for Better Nutrition
Many parents focus on the main lunch, but recess is just as important! Children are active during the day and need consistent fuel to support their energy levels, concentration, and focus.
I recommend packing two separate lunchboxes—one for recess and one for lunch. This approach ensures:
A balance of nutrients throughout the day
Enough energy for focus and learning
More opportunities to include vegetables (helping kids reach their 5-a-day goal!)
Why Veggies in Both Lunchboxes?
Only 1 in 16 Australian children are meeting their recommended vegetable intake. A simple way to increase veggie consumption is by including them in both recess and lunch. Whether it’s cherry tomatoes, cucumber sticks, capsicum strips, or carrot sticks with hummus, having veggies twice a day boosts nutrient intake and normalises them as a key part of a meal.
What Should a Wholefood Lunchbox Contain?
A well-balanced lunchbox should follow my Real Food Principles, ensuring your child gets the right nutrients to fuel their day.
A good lunchbox includes:
Vegetables – At least 2-3 different types (capsicum strips, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, snow peas, carrot sticks)
Fruit – Whole fruit or cut-up pieces (berries, banana, orange segments)
Complex carbohydrates – Wholegrain wraps, sourdough, brown rice crackers, quinoa or lentil pasta
Protein – Boiled eggs, hummus, grilled chicken, beans, natural yoghurt, nut-free seed butter, grass-fed beef or lamb, low-mercury fish
Healthy fats – Avocado, seeds, olives, cheese, extra virgin olive oil dressing
A homemade wholefood snack – Muffins, energy balls, oat bars, or seed crackers
What to Look for in a Lunchbox
The best lunchboxes should be:
Bento-style with compartments – Encourages variety and keeps food separate.
Durable & leak-proof – To prevent spills and keep food fresh.
Non-toxic materials – Free from BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
Easy to clean – Dishwasher safe or easy to rinse.
The right size – Large enough to fit a balanced meal without being too bulky.
Top 3 Bento-Style Lunchbox Recommendations
These recommendations are based on my own children’s personal experience with these lunchboxes. None of these suggestions are sponsored—these are simply the ones my kids loved the most and that have stood the test of time. Over the past few years, we’ve tried dozens of lunchboxes, and these remain our standout winners.
Leak-proof & durable
Perfect portion sizes for a balanced meal
BPA-free & child-friendly latch
💡 Best for: Younger kids who need a compact, well-portioned lunchbox.
2. PlanetBox Rover
Stainless steel & eco-friendly
Spacious bento-style compartments for variety
Dishwasher safe & highly durable
Best for: Families looking for a sustainable, long-lasting option. (My son’s lasted over 5 years)
3. Omiebox
Built-in insulated thermos that food warm for up to 6 hours
Bento style compartments that helps encourage variety
Includes a leak-proof section for yoghurt/dips
BPA-free, easy to clean
Best for: Kids who want hot and cold food and parents who want versatility.
If you're on a budget, Sistema lunchboxes or the B. Box Lunchbox from Officeworks are great options. Both are BPA-free and designed to promote variety in your child’s meals. To make them more fun and personalised, let your child decorate them with their favourite stickers, adding a unique touch to their lunchbox!
Final Thoughts
A bento-style lunchbox is a game-changer for encouraging variety, wholefoods, and balanced meals. By packing two separate lunchboxes (recess + lunch) and ensuring vegetables are included twice daily, we can help our kids reach their 5-a-day veggie intake while keeping their energy levels stable throughout the day.
If you’re tired of uneaten lunches, fussy eaters, or the same boring sandwich on repeat, it’s time for a Lunchbox Makeover! Join my Lunchbox Solutions Workshop to learn budget-friendly, nutritious, and practical ways to pack meals your kids will actually eat. Find out more and take the stress out of school lunches!