Using a Bento Box can be an unusual and effective means of piquing your child’s interest in healthy eating. But what do you put in a Bento Box? Better yet, for those unfamiliar with the term, what exactly is a Bento Box?

A Bento Box is a traditional Japanese lunchbox that usually contains one serving (or meal) that consists of fish or some sort of meat, rice, and vegetables arranged carefully so that it is aesthetically pleasing. The different foods are usually separated by partitions to keep the food separate. You find Bento Box lunches everywhere in Japan. Some people make them from scratch at home, but you can also find them in take out restaurants, convenience stores, and even in train stations.

While Bento Boxes are traditionally used with things like sushi and rice and traditional Japanese vegetables, it is not necessary that you stick to Japanese cuisine when creating a Bento Box Lunch. In fact, when you are packing a Bento Box for a child, the greater variety of combinations that you can come up with to put in the box, the longer you will be able to keep their interest in healthful eating. Below you will find some ideas for snacks and small foods that you can put in a Bento Box.

Almost any fruit or vegetable that can fit (or be cut to fit) into a Bento Box is fair game. Some of the favorites include brightly colored fruits and vegetables like pineapple chunks, cherry tomatoes, apple slices, baby carrots, black olives, or canned corn that has been well-drained.

Kids love sweet things, and unfortunately there are more than enough sickeningly sweet products on the market to satisfy any child’s cravings. But if you want to minimize the amount of harm done, consider some of the following sweet snack ideas:

 Chinese Sweet Rolls. Chinese sweet rolls are a great alternative to heavily processed sweet snacks. They are also the perfect size for a Bento Box!