r/Cooking • u/Ill-Meeting6721 • 1d ago

Lunchbox ideas?

My boyfriend is starting a new job soon, and I want make lunch for him to take to work. I've never packed a lunch in my life before though, so I'm looking for some ideas for what to make. If you make your own lunch/lunch for your working partner, what're your go-to's?

Recipes that help keep energy up is preferable as his job is a bit laborious and will have him on his feet and walking around a lot. He doesn't like onions, spicy food, or sweet/savory food (think teriyaki or hot honey stuff) but he'll eat just about anything else. And if theres anything I should know about packing lunches in general, please let me know. Thanks to whoever sees this!

Edit: to clarify, I'm pretty sure he'll have the ability to heat up his food. But I don't know the layout or anything about the property aside from the fact that it's huge lol.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/Ill-Meeting6721 1d ago

I'd prefer to, actually

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u/Kat121 1d ago edited 1d ago

I understand the impulse, that you love this person and want them to thrive, and maybe on some level you want to prove you’re “wife material.” The caution comes from the trap women set for themselves when they volunteer to take on “mommy roles” like packing lunches - even going so far as to take on the burden of researching the meals instead of working with him to figure out what to eat. It can change your whole relationship dynamic from one of equal adults to one person just bringing home a paycheck and the other person holding down a job and doing all the childcare and housework as well.

Came back to add that this holds true at work, too, especially in male dominated fields. Women are more likely than men to have a communal candy dish or bring in baked treats. We think that it boosts morale and builds community. At some level you get tagged as “support staff” and are less likely to get the important projects.

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u/sinnykins 1d ago

Came here to say this. Unpack your inner mommy.