The best snack boxes to take on your morning commute

With many of us back at work, packing lunches and snacks is on the agenda again. Whether you’re meal-prepping to save money or subscribing to our healthy snack boxes for all your snacking needs, you’ll want something to carry it all in – especially if you’re commuting and plan to snack on long journeys or at your desk. For the food itself, follow our guide to building your own homemade snack boxes, or simply subscribe to our monthly box and take the hassle out of it.

Once you’ve decided what to pack, there’s a snack box for every need – so think about the material, the size, and how it works (do you need separate compartments, or a firm lock for liquids?). Here are some of the best types to keep your healthy choices in one handy place.

1. Bamboo snack boxes

Bamboo boxes are one of the most popular choices, with a quality that’s hard to match and a surprisingly friendly price. Unlike plastic, they’re often microwave-safe for reheating leftovers, and they’re far more durable and long-lasting – the lid even doubles as an impromptu chopping board. They’re great for the environment, too. The one downside: bamboo boxes tend to be smaller than other types.

2. Metal snack boxes

Metal boxes are a great choice for frequent commuters who want to carry lunch as well as snacks. They’re durable and leakproof by design, which makes them safe for long trips and flights, and pretty much unbreakable if you’ve got a little one who likes to raid your snacks. Usually made from easily recyclable steel, they’ll last for years and can be recycled at the end of their life. We love Smidge’s stainless steel lunch boxes.

3. Plastic snack boxes

Not as eco-friendly as metal or bamboo, but plastic boxes still have their place – and they’re far better than disposable cling film or foil, since you’re reusing them every day. They’re a good shout if you want something lightweight (handy when you’re already lugging a laptop around), come in lots of sizes (mini boxes are perfect for chopped fruit) and wipe clean easily. The trade-off is durability: they don’t tend to last as long as metal.

4. Multi-compartment boxes

Rather than packing several boxes, why not use a single multi-compartment one? It’s ideal if you carry a range of snacks and want to keep them separate – for different parts of the day, or to avoid mess and spillage from liquids and dressings. They’re handy for storing cutlery, too.

5. A lunch tote

Finally, an alternative to a box is a lunch tote or bag. For snack lovers, these have one big advantage: they’re roomier and not always square-shaped, so you can fit more in. Choose a cool-bag version to keep things chilled – a great on-the-go carrier for all the brilliant British snack brands you’ll find in our healthy snack subscription.

We hope that’s given you some ideas for the perfect home for your snacks. For inspiration on what to pack, take a look at these posts:

• How to create your own homemade healthy snack boxes
• 10 vegan picnic recipes