Back-to-School Lunches Just Got Easier With IKEA's $5 Non-Toxic Bento Boxes – Shoppers Call Them 'Perfect'
From prep and storage to reheating and eating, these divided storage boxes do it all
The back-to-school rush affects all of us. Between packing the kids’ lunches and trying to prepare your own, time feels tighter than ever, with hectic evenings often spilling into even busier mornings.
Meal prepping can take some of the pressure off, but there’s one familiar problem. You pack fresh vegetables, sauces, or other wet ingredients alongside pasta, bread, or grains, and you can end up with a soggy lunch by the time you’re ready to eat.
That’s where the IKEA HAVSTOBIS Bento Lunch Boxes come in. With divided compartments for easy portioning, leak-proof lids, and non-toxic glass bases, they make it simple to prep ahead while keeping different foods fresh and separate. It’s a small non-toxic kitchen upgrade that could make the back-to-school routine considerably more manageable, without compromising come lunchtime.
The integrated divider keeps different food separate and makes it easier to control and follow your meal plan. Plus, the leak-proof lid prevents spills and protects the contents from frost damage, making it ideal for both transporting food and storing leftovers.
It is no secret that dividing up food types is one of the best food storage tricks to extend the life of your food. By keeping ingredients separate, there’s less chance of everything turning mushy or losing its texture as lunchtime approaches. These slimline, stackable bento boxes make that easy, with two asymmetric compartments that keep different foods neatly divided without the need for multiple containers.
Made from non-toxic borosilicate glass, they’re a practical choice for both home and work meal prep. They’re safe to use in the microwave and oven, and are ideal for organizing a fridge and freezer, so you can move meals from prep to storage to reheating in the same container without creating a pile of extra washing up.
The glowing five-star reviews speak for themselves. 'They do not look very large, but there is more than enough space for a meal. Excellent for work,' comments Sheena, while Timothy adds, 'Bought two of these for a salad bar we had and they were perfect. Very solid glass and good sealing lid. Keeps leftovers longer in your refrigerator.'
So far as organizing snacks goes, I think this simple yet sleek solution might just be one of my favorites.
What Else to Shop
From food storage to reduce food waste to on-the-go essentials, these IKEA picks will help you reach the $35 minimum home-delivery total while taming your kitchen storage during back-to-school chaos.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This is the perfect lunch box for the youngest members of the family to bring food to school. The practical handle makes the lunch box easy and fun for children to carry, while the separate compartments divide food – for example, a tasty sandwich in one compartment and some fresh fruit on the side.
Put fruit, nuts, and other dry goods in one half of this snack container and yogurt or dips in the other to make sure you always have a healthy bite to eat close at hand – perfect when you are on the go.
The transparent container makes it easy to find what you are looking for, regardless of where it is placed. Made of glass, which does not absorb odors or discolor from tomato sauce, for example, this food container is also easy to clean. They are not leak-proof, however, so are more suited to fridge storage than on the go.
These one-cup silicone freezer molds make meal prep simple by helping you portion, freeze, and store your favorite soups, pasta, rice, chili, protein, sauce, leftovers, and more. Made from 100% food-grade, platinum-cured silicone with a steel-reinforced rim, the trays with lids are microwave-, freezer-, dishwasher-, and oven-safe up to 415 degrees Fahrenheit (without the lid), making reheating and cleanup easy.
The open front design of these CHOKLADHAJ storage boxes makes them perfect for grab and go pantry snacks, so children can help put together their school lunches.
A classic, the IKEA glass food containers with snap on lids are some of the most versatile storage pieces you can pick for a kitchen. Microwave-, oven-, fridge/freezer-, and dishwasher-safe, they do it all from storing left overs, to reheating dinners, and taking food on the go.
With your kitchen taken care of, turn your attention to organizing your kid's room for back-to-school success.
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