The daily grind may not leave you with enough time to go out and have a proper meal during the day. Packing a nutritious meal for your lunch is a great way to have healthy food on a budget. Be it for your office needs as a working professional or for your school-going kids, having the right tiffin box takes a lot of lunch-packing stress away. Choosing a lunch box that is easy to carry, has compartments for different types of foods, does not cause spillage, etc., can make your mid-day meals super convenient.
Due to the wide variety of tiffin boxes available in the market, how do you choose the right one? Well, this depends on several factors, such as who are you buying it for, weight, material, insulation properties, etc., to name a few. You don’t wanna end up with the wrong tiffin box to only realise it doesn’t serve your needs that well. So, let’s explore how you can choose the best tiffin box that best matches your needs.
Why Does the Quality of the Tiffin Box You Choose Is Important?
Finding the best quality tiffin box is essential for several reasons, such as:
- Food Safety: A good quality lunch box will not pose any health risks to your or your child’s health.
- Durability: A good quality tiffin box may be a little pricey, but it will last longer than its cheaper, low-quality counterparts. Avoid the hassle of buying a new lunch box every few months.
- Temperature: If you like your meals at the intended temperature, you must choose good quality lunch boxes that offer insulation features. Poor-quality lunch boxes either may not have those features or may wear out sooner.
How to Choose the Right Tiffin Box: Factors to Consider
When selecting a tiffin box, you will need to take several factors into consideration to arrive at the right choice based on your needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:
1. Material
The kind of material you choose for the tiffin box depends on what kind of food you are going to carry. You will have options in plastic, stainless steel, glass, etc. Plastic lunch boxes are lightweight and easy to carry, making them a good option for kids. However, in the last few years, many people have been discarding the long-term use of plastic as it can be detrimental to health and harmful chemicals like BPA may seep into the food. Make sure that the plastic tiffin box you buy is BPA-free. Many people prefer stainless steel or glass tiffin boxes. While glass lunch boxes have a unique aesthetic appeal, they are less durable and break easily, which can also cause serious injuries. But they can be a good option for adults. Stainless-steel lunch boxes are versatile, durable, portable and lighter in weight than their glass counterparts. Moreover, this material is antibacterial and would not leach any dangerous chemicals into your food. Whether your kid is heading to school or an adventure picnic, or you are heading to your workplace, the SS tiffin box is a great option for both kids and adults.
2. Insulation
After spending a gruelling half day, you deserve a meal at its intended temperature. This becomes especially true for children who may not have microwaves available for heating their food, unlike adults at workplaces. On the contrary, you may need to preserve the low temperatures of certain foods you carry. In such instances, it is best to buy an insulated tiffin box. With a broad temperature tolerance, you can pack soup, hot rice, curries, or pasta that stays warm for hours, as well as cold items like fresh salads, yoghourt, pudding, sandwiches, etc. Some tiffin boxes can handle temperatures up to +400°C, making them safe for ovens as well. Make sure you read about the quality and thickness of the insulation to suit your specific requirements.
3. Free of BPA and Lead
Make sure that whichever lunch box you buy is safe for everyday use. This is one of the main reasons why people either go for stainless steel or food-grade plastic tiffin boxes. BPA-free and lead-free boxes keep your food free of harmful chemicals leaching into your food. BPA-free tiffin boxes keep your food fresh and safe for you to have a healthier life.
4. Portability
Look for a tiffin box with a solid, foldable strap or handle so you can conveniently carry it around by hand or over the shoulder. This may not be a major factor when choosing a lunch box for kids since you will mostly pack it in their school bags. However, a tiffin box with a handle will always be a convenient option for office-going adults. Ensure that the handle is ergonomically designed to fit in your hand and does not dig into your fingers if heavy.
5. Size and Capacity
Consider the quantities and types of foods you prepare and pack for your school-going kids or yourself at work most of the time. If you pack it heavy or have varied foods (required for a balanced diet), a tiffin box with many sections or with a heavy holding capacity would be ideal.
6. Ease of Cleaning
Another good search criterion for a tiffin box is the ease of cleaning it, whether you prefer to wash it by hand or a dishwasher. In case the tiffin has several compartments, they may be better for keeping different foods, but it could be time-consuming to wash. You will need to prioritise among different factors and see what works best for your routine.
Conclusion
Buying the best quality lunch box that suits your needs and preferences can go a long way in influencing daily meals. Tiffin boxes are primarily categorised based on the material they are made from, be it insulated ones for hot or cold meals, bento tiffin boxes for portion control, the stainless steel ones for sustainable and healthy meals. Buying a good quality tiffin box can improve your mid-day meal experience, you will experience less stress of spillage and carrying it around and have the opportunity to have a more balanced meal. So, make the right pick! Happy lunching!
