I have been using Laptop Lunches to pack my kids' lunches for over a year now, and I still love them.

When I first had to start packing lunches for school, I fumbled around with plastic baggies and felt guilty for using so many. I wanted to find something that was better for the environment, and that would make lunch look more appetizing for my children. I found it in Laptop Lunches. Now I don't know what I would do without them!

Here’s why I like Laptop Lunches so much as a mom:

• It comes as a whole system, with carrying case (that looks like a laptop computer case, hence the name Laptop Lunch), water bottle and fork and spoon. I didn’t have to add a thing to start packing lunches.
• You can choose from various color options. Kids love color!
• It forces you, the lunch-maker, to be creative because there are 4 little compartments to fill, 5 with the little dipper one (it’s actually kind of fun!)
• It is so easy to wash either by hand or on the top rack of the dishwasher.
• The food looks yummier.

Here’s why I like Laptop Lunches so much as a mom of kids with food allergies:

• Allergic children have to bring their own lunches ALL the time, so anything that makes it easier to pack a lunch is great.
• Most prepackaged foods are filled with allergens — think packs of cheese and crackers, little packs of goldfish, peanut butter and ritz crackers — so these aren’t an option to throw in a lunch. These little compartments make it possible to put in healthier foods and serve them like you would a meal at home, like beans or olives or fresh corn or hummus.
• Food looks so appetizing when served this way, the allergic kid will not feel he’s missing out on a thing!

Here’s a lunch I made recently. It’s nothing fancy, but somehow looks a lot yummier than if it were in plastic bags.

I rated the lunchbox a 4 instead of a 5 because a full-size sandwich doesn't really fit very well. I am able to fit a sandwich because it is on gluten-free bread (smaller than other bread) with the crust cut off (kids!) You could put a half sandwich in each of the larger compartments but then you are giving that big space. However, I found out that the newer version of the lunchbox is 1/4 inch deeper, so maybe that solves the problem. I'm still not convinced that an older child might not be left feeling hungry, but for younger kids, this is definitely a great way to lunch!