Is it healthy to bring food in an insulated lunch box?

There are many types of insulated lunch boxes on the market. These insulated lunch boxes are mainly aimed at students and office workers, because students and office workers need to reduce their meal time as much as possible so that they can devote more energy to study and work. Therefore, when choosing an insulated lunch box, try to choose one made of safe materials and one that can achieve very good insulation effects. But if you often use an insulated lunch box to bring food, will it cause harm to your body?

Is it okay to bring lunch in an insulated lunch box?

You can bring food with you in an insulated lunch box. As long as the food is kept warm but not heated, the nutrients in it will not be lost. How much nutrients can be retained in food depends on the cooking method. Avoid the following bad habits to make your meals more nutritious.

1. Cut vegetables before washing them

The surface area of ​​vegetables increases greatly after being cut, and contact with water will lead to a large loss of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B and vitamin C and some minerals. The correct approach should be to wash the vegetables carefully and drain as much water as possible before proceeding to the next step.

2. Blanch the cut vegetables in water

Vegetables tend to lose their original aroma after being cut, and if they are blanched and then cooked, the nutrients in them will be seriously destroyed.

3. Deep-fry before cooking

Frying dishes before cooking will not only lead to excessive fat intake and cause obesity, but also easily destroy the nutritional elements of the vegetables themselves. Cooking for too long may also produce carcinogens. You should eat less rapeseed and fried vegetables. Vegetables should be cooked in lighter ways such as blanching, stir-frying, cold mixing, and steaming.

How to choose an insulated lunch box

1. Check the label and other accessories of the insulated lunch box

For example, whether the product name, capacity, caliber, manufacturer name and address, adopted standard number, usage instructions and precautions during use are indicated. A manufacturer that attaches great importance to quality will strictly comply with relevant national standards to clearly indicate the performance of its products.

2. Look at the materials used to make the thermal insulation lunch box

As far as I know, there are three types of insulated lunch boxes on the market. One is made entirely of plastic, with the insulation layer being something like foam. The insulation effect of this type of insulated lunch box is average, it has partitions, the food can be separated, it is not easy to clean, and the price is average. Another type is a glass vacuum insulated lunch box similar to a thermos bottle. The insulation effect is good, but it is not very safe and easy to break. It also has a small capacity and usually has no compartments. It is easier to clean and the price is average. There is also a type of thermal lunch box that is made entirely of stainless steel. It has good thermal insulation, large capacity, and is easy to clean, but is relatively expensive.

3. Check the insulation time of the insulated lunch box

Ordinary insulated lunch boxes can keep food warm for two to three hours, but better ones can keep food warm for about six hours. The specific insulation time can be selected according to your needs.

4. Look at the appearance of the insulated lunch box

First, check whether the surface polishing of the inner and outer liner is uniform and whether there are any dents or scratches; second, check whether the internal seal is tight and whether the screw plug and the cup body match.

5. Check the heat preservation of the lunch box

Pour boiling water into the insulated lunch box and tighten the stopper or cup lid clockwise for 2-3 minutes, then touch the outer surface of the cup with your hand. If the insulated lunch box is obviously warm, especially the lower part, it means that the product has lost its vacuum degree and cannot achieve a good insulation effect. The lower part of the insulated lunch box is always cool.

6. Look at after-sales service

Good after-sales service will replace the main body of the insulated lunch box within one year if it no longer keeps heat.