Why Bento Boxes Are So Popular

They’re healthy, easy to make, and easy to eat

I was on the phone with my friend, and she was talking about how she was struggling with her extra weight and the latest diet she’d been undertaking to lose it. She was growing fearful, as it wasn’t just about self-confidence anymore, but also about the serious health complications that come with being overweight.

“But it’s so hard you know… I’m so busy and stressed, and fast food is such an easy answer to my problems. I’ve been replacing my usual takeout with salad bowls and it was great the first few days, but I don’t know how much longer. I’m entering Day 10, and you just get really sick and tired of eating lettuce all the time. Fast food is either bad for you, or tastes boring! I wish there was something new,” she sighed.

I tried to cheer her up, “Come visit me in Japan! The convenience foods here are so great, and they actually helped me lose weight, a lot of it when I wasn’t paying any particular attention. I wish they had bento boxes in America too because I can eat well yet have delicious food.”

After our call, she messaged me a photo of an American 'bento box' she saw at her local eatery — “Look what I found! 😋” her text read. I was excited at first, thinking she’d show me something with rice, grilled fish, and a carefully packed assortment of colorful vegetables. Instead, when I opened the photo it looked like this: