10 Actually Useful Food Storage Products That Keep Lunch (or Any Other Meal) Fresh

Summer is coming to an end—which means it's time to reboot our healthy eating habits. One way to stay healthy is to prepare (and pack) lunches and snacks.

Repurposing Sunday's big-batch dinner into lunch for the week (hey, we have a newsletter to help you do just that!) requires more than just mismatched lids and worn, stained Tupperware containers stuffed into cluttered cabinets.

Here are some of our favorite storage tools—which we lovingly refer to as "takeoutware"—and accessories help you make your make-ahead meals into something you look forward to eating.

If you're looking for a smart way to organize your meal without using more than one portable container, this bento box is your answer. There are two distinct areas for an entree as well as any sides—each are designed to stack on-top of one another vertically. While some Amazon shoppers warn of exposing the box to excessive heat in the dishwasher, numerous reviewers did share that the manufacturer is willing to replace your box should it become damaged in use.

If you're actually looking for something smaller to place inside a briefcase or purse, this insulated lunch box is versatile enough to fit into most—and is a big step up from just throwing random food items into your bag (guilty as charged). It's made of washable linen should you accidentally create a mess, too.

Excuse us while we add a handful of these dishwasher and microwave-safe containers to our cabinets. Yes, soups and stews could ideally travel in these covered mugs, but so can pastas, rice, sauteed veggies, or more.

Salads are best enjoyed in bowls, and the more beautiful, the better. This set of stackable containers are custom equipped with tops that will keep your chopped salads secure while you travel to work or school. Bonus? They're gorgeous.

You really don't need to save leftover plastic containers from takeout orders to enjoy soup on the go—this contraption, called a lunch "pot," has two separate compartments to help you bring any kind of liquid (from salad dressings to thick stews) from your kitchen to the office. One reviewer said that the lunch pot often rolls around the bottom of their tote bag without any "spillage."

We love a lunch bag that's stylish enough to carry casually outside of mealtimes—and this one, which has captured the affection of many Pinterest users lately, is only $14. It's insulated, has a front pocket for silverware, and more than 75 percent of Amazon shoppers gave it five stars.

One of the most stylish ways to bring your salad to work is in a mason jar—but then what do you do with the dressing? You either have to pour it on, and deal with soggy lettuce, or find some other thing to carry it in, which can be a mess in itself. This gadget solves that conundrum with a built-in dressing compartment—clean, convenient, and stylish!

If you're a fan of grazing on snack lunch (the earlier version of snack dinner), this lunchbox is for you—YUMBOX even produces smaller-sized boxes that are perfect kids. It has a designated quadrant for carrying snacktime staples like yogurts and dips.

If space is an issue this may be the solution. It's is not a lunchbox—it's a plate equipped with a specially designed "skin" that stretches over your sandwich, holding it tight and keeping it fresh. Anything that can fit onto the plate will be safely covered and contained until you're ready to eat. Amazon shoppers noted that these aren't made for big meals, but that they fit very compactly in any tote or backpack.

If you love the look of a mason jar, but worry about the bulk—or breakage—here's a neat-looking solution. These dishwasher-safe plastic bags keep snacks and sandwiches fresh and looking Instagram-worthy, without the hassle of glass.