Weekdays are hectic for many families. Between work, school and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to see why it’s so tempting to hand everyone some cash and tell them to buy lunch while they’re out. In reality, there are plenty of reasons taking the extra time to pack lunches is beneficial for your family.
You Get More Variety
Whether you or the kids are choosing the same items from the cafeteria line each day or you are pulling through the same fast food restaurant’s drive-thru each afternoon, eating the same thing all the time gets boring. When you pack your own lunches, you have a lot more variety. Pack sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, hummus, trail mix, or even a thermos of your favorite soup or chili. You can switch up your meals by week, or if you’re extra ambitious, pack something new every day.
You Have More Control Over Your Health
Most school or work cafeterias don’t offer nutrition information. Even if they do, it’s based on everyone eating the exact same item. If you add or remove ingredients from your own selection, the nutritional value of your meal changes and can be difficult to calculate. The same is true for restaurants, making it hard to track fat, calories, carbohydrates, or anything else you may be tracking for personal health reasons. By packing your own lunch, you know exactly what you’re eating and what its nutritional value is.
You’ll Save Money
Adults spend an average of $10 each time they buy lunch. Assuming children spend about half that, a family of four who buys lunch five days per week spends $150 of their weekly budget on afternoon meals alone. If you spend money on groceries to make lunches at home instead, you will likely spend much less and have more of your money to go toward other parts of your budget.
You’ll Have More Time to Enjoy Your Food
How many times have you spent half of your lunch break or more simply waiting in line? Having to shovel food in your mouth so you can get back to work or class on time is no fun. If you pack your lunch, you’ll be able to sit down and enjoy it as soon as your break starts, allowing you to relax, unwind, and prepare for the rest of the day.
It Is Environmentally Friendly
Bringing your own lunch contributes to saving the environment when done right. If you pack your food in reusable containers, you prevent waste in the form of trash from pre-packaged items or from restaurant or cafeteria lines. You also prevent food waste by packing exactly what you want to eat in just the right amount. When you buy your meal, you probably end up throwing some out because you don’t like it or are too full to finish it.
You Can Make a Fashion Statement
Brown paper bags or big, clunky lunch coolers are not only less than functional in some situations, but they are also pretty unattractive. Luckily, some companies are finally realizing that people want to carry something fashionable. Arctic Zone offers a wide range of styles, colors, and patterns, making it easy for everyone in the family to choose a lunch box that fits his or her personality.
Are you still unsure about packing lunches despite the money savings, environmental savings and numerous other benefits? Just give it a try. After a week, you’ll probably be hooked!
