As you know Tuesdays and Fridays are a little different here at Today’s Lunchbox. Usually I have a guest post or a weekend or travel lunchbox on those days, while Monday, Wednesday, Thursday are almost always my basic workday lunches. Today I wanted to address one question that I get often and have wanted to address as part of my lunchbox FAQ (aka a work in progress) – why do I still use plastic containers? The biggest reason for me is weight – I walk everywhere and I often carry several containers to work or out when I am running errands on weekends, and I like the ease of plastic. I always use BPA-free plastic containers, however. Furthermore, I only ever pack my smoothies in glass containers – I think it keeps them cold longer and generally is easier. Ideally, I would use glass only, but I feel ok using BPA-free plastic containers about 2/3 of the time, and my shoulder thanks me for the lighter load. That said I have been experimenting with lunch options that lend themselves better to fewer jars so I can use more glass.
As for my containers of choice, plastic and glass:
- Laptop Lunchbox
- Recycled 8oz nut butter jars (great for puddings, hummus, and small quantities of leftovers) – I save the 16oz nut butter jars for leftovers in the fridge
- Recycled 16oz Vegenaise jars (great for smoothies), though recycled 16oz nut butter jars work too
- Glasslock Containers (we bought a set of various sizes at Costco)
- Ziploc Tall Square Containers, perfect for salads and steamed veggies
- Ziploc Small Round Containers, for a variety of smaller denser foods
- Gladware Mini Round Containers, for dressings, nuts, and small items
I have yet to purchase mason jars as I get a study supply from recycling jars of things like nut butters. So yay for recycling.
And today’s lunchbox:
- Green Smoothie with Banana, Hemp and Kale, from Choosing Raw
- Lightly steamed kale and Grilled Twin Oaks Tofu (the plain kind, but plain in a delicious hearty way)
- Cheezy Red Pepper Hemp Dip, also from Choosing Raw, to top the kale and tofu
- A truly forgettable white bean dip (this attempt was made using white bean flour) – despite thyme and garlic, this one is better forgotten.
- Raw red pepper for dipping into the white bean dip
Have a great Tuesday!
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Disclosures:
- General Disclosures
- Specific Disclosure regarding Twin Oaks Tofu
- Specific Disclosure regarding Laptop Lunchbox: I received this lunchbox container free of charge. My view of this item is not influenced in any way by the fact I received this item free of charge
General Disclosures & Disclaimers
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Really interesting-sounds like a balanced way to protect yourself while not lugging around 20 pounds of glass jars!
As someone who uses mostly glass, I can attest – it is a pain in the butt!!! And the shoulders.
So are the ziploc and gladware containers BPA-free? They shouldn't be put in the dishwasher though, correct? That would be a big downfall for me – I hate handwashing!
I just got some travel mugs that are like plastic, but 100% corn and BPA-free, so cool!
@eliz@thesweetlife – I definitely try to limit the plastic, but with the Laptop Lunchbox, I have been using plastic more than glass.
@fartygirl – if I did not walk everywhere, I would use glass more, but between laptop/files/gym bag/lunch and snacks, sometimes I have to compromise.
@Alisa – the ziploc and gladware are BPA free according to their website, and one of the big selling points of Laptop Lunchboxes is that they are BPA free. I wash the Laptop Lunchbox by hand – but you make a good point regarding ziploc and gladware – I usually throw those in the dishwasher. I might need to rethink that.
Hi, fellow DC blogger!
I'm always lugging around 95 tupperware containers so I hear you about the glass. Something has to give and it's not going to be my shoulders!
I'm still using mostly plastic, too. I'm collecting glass containers but I don't have very many yet. I walk and ride the bus everywhere but so far the weight hasn't been an issue.
I use a combination (love recycled glass jars like you do) and I'm lucky that I don't have to lug my stuff around. Walking everywhere is awesome though!
Shirley
@Katie (quickcookrice) – Yes, me and my 95 tupperwares
Love the name of your blog.
@Johanna B – I got my glasslocks at Costco for a great price. Otherwise most of my glass containers have been recycled.
@Shirley – I do love walking everywhere, so I am not complaining, but my shoulder was about all the glass containers (I pack lunch and two snacks at a minimum, sometimes dinner as well).