Lunchboxes: They’re not just for kids anymore

The economy might be looking up, but here’s an indication that the country is still struggling a bit: For many, the days of going out to lunch Monday through Friday are over.

Mike Dobbs, vice president of public relations at lunchboxes.com, says sales are up because more adults are bringing their mid-day meals to work.

“It’s a way to eat healthier and save money,” Dobbs says. “And because of that, while we sell a lot of kids’ lunchboxes, we’ve seen high sales of adult boxes.”

New technology means a great selection of boxes and bags, he says. Eco-friendly Bento lunch boxes have pull-out compartments or boxes, so you can keep your fruit, sandwiches and condiments separate.

Also popular are lunch bags—many made of a material called neoprene, which is commonly used to make wet suits. The same qualities that make the material perfect for scuba divers make it a great material for lunch bags: It stretches, so you can stuff it full of low-calorie goodies, and it keeps out the heat or the cold, helping to keep foods at the right temperature.

Erin Kelly-Dill, with snackTAXI, says sales of waxed cotton lunch bags are popular, as are stylish lunch bags that have the look of a purse.

If you’re tired of tossing your lunch in a plastic grocery store bag, we’ve picked a few choices that will ensure you look stylish when you walk into the workplace—and will keep your food at a safe temperature. Oh, and say goodbye to squashed sandwiches and crumbled cookies with some of these picks:

• You can trust the name “Thermos” to keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold. These handy jars are dishwasher safe. Thermos Foogo 10-ounce food jar, $17.99, bedbathandbeyond.com
• Who says you can’t look stylish carrying your lunch to work? Thick insulation and a pocket for an ice pack in this canvas bag will keep foods the correct temperature. Vienna insulated lunch bag in taupe reptile, $17.99, bedbathandbeyond.com
• These handy bags come in several colors and prints. This eco-friendly company offers reusable, washable sandwich bags, as well. SnackTAXI pull-string lunch sack, $32, snacktaxi.com
• If you’re looking for a classic shape, look no further than this retro piece, which features two 4-ounce storage containers. Crate & Barrel plaid lunch box, $32.95, crateandbarrel.com
• Stacking the contents of your lunch makes a lot of sense. This comes with heavy-duty, reusable flatware. Crate & Barrel two-tone gray Bento box, $14.95, crateandbarrel.com
• This stylish bag holds four leak-proof, environmentally friendly containers that are microwave-safe. Best, they’re made out of all recycled materials. Container Store recycled lunch set, $24.99, containerstore.com