Bento is Japanese food that can be eaten cold or at room temperature. There is no reheating needed. The food will not spoil either within a few hours. Of course with modern twists, some Bento recipes will need to be reheated and an ice pack would be recommended in the lunch box use a lunch jar that is thermal.

Anyone can benefit from the healthy Bento recipes that the Japanese people know so well. The main food source will be carbohydrates and proteins. This is called Okazu in Japanese. Then, secondary foods to complement the main food would be more proteins or vegetables. The recipes are made in advance, stored in the freezer, refrigerator, or pantry. Johbisai is Japanese for the word staples.

Bento recipes can be also be vegetarian protein sources instead of meat sources like chicken for example. They also can be gluten free. A person has to decide what Bento to make and the number of calories and such that is needed.

A Bento recipe can be made using a rice cooker. Just cook the rice like normal in the rice cooker. Then, take chicken that is massaged in oil, soy sauce, cut up vegetables, and wrap it up tight in aluminum foil. Sit it on top of the rice and turn the rice cooker back on the regular sitting. If a person desired broccoli or cauliflower, it can be steamed while cooking the rice. Now a home made and nutritious Bento has been made. The flavor is in the meat and it doesn’t dry out as oil was rubbed into it and then basted with sauce. Of course different sauces and vegetable variations can be used.

If a person wanted a sandwich for lunch while at work, they would not want it to be soggy. Using their Bento box, a great Bento recipe would consists of the sandwich ingredients and fillings to be separated from the bread. There could be healthy shredded carrots and Rafute Rillettes can be used for the meat or use non-traditional shredded pork that is barbequed. Or use a great vegetable salad mix to complement the meat when filling the sandwich. Even radish pickles are a great complement to eat with the sandwich.

There are a million combinations to making a Bento recipe. As a person can see, this is a very healthy alternative to eating better and getting the required proteins and veggies every day. Along with a great way to naturally lose weight.

More Awesome Bento Options: