Bento contents:

• 1 cup (240ml) green peas rice (mame gohan), approx. 230 cal
• 3 1 1/2 oz (50g) bean sprout burgers (moyashi hambaagu) with Worcestershire sauce (using lean ground beef), approx. 300 cal
• 1/4 cup Japanese potato salad (using Kewpie mayonnaise), approx. 90 cal
• 1/4 cup spinach with soy sauce, 10 cal

Total calories (approx): 630 cal (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5-10 minutes to assemble in the morning from pre-made components

Type: Japanese, a perennial favorite

Bento contents:

• Meatballs with lettuce in tomato sauce - 5 meatballs plus sauce, 270 calories
• Zucchini and white bean pods sautéed in olive oil, 100 calories
• 1/2 cup (120ml) brown rice with zakkokumai mix, 120 calories

Total calories (approx): 490 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5 to 10 minutes to pack in the morning

Type: Not really Japanese, made from stash and leftovers

Bento contents:

• 3 bento sized mini cabbage rolls, 180 calories
• Green beans with ginger stir fried in sesame oil, 60 calories
• Green beans stir fried with ginger and sesame oil, 60 calories
• Carrot slices cooked with the cabbage rolls, 5 calories
• 2/3 cup (160ml) rice from frozen stash, 160 calories

Total calories (approx): 405 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5 to 10 minutes in the morning to defrost and pack up the bento

Type: Japanese, everything made in advance; low-carb adjustable by reducing or replacing rice

Bento contents:

• 1 large slice boiled ham, 100 calories
• 1 slice proscuitto, 80 calories
• 1 small piece cheese (gouda), 80 calories
• 2 small whole grain rolls, 160 calories
• About 8 grapes, 30 calories
• 1 Tbs. mustard (in small red container)
• Mixed salad greens, 10 calories

Total calories (approx): 460 (how calories are calculated)

Time needed: 5 minutes in the morning

Type: Not Japanese, sandwich, nothing made in advance

Bento contents:

• Quinoa with green peas and dried sausage, 1/3rd of the recipe (about 1 1/3 cups), 340 calories
• Raw asparagus, radish and Parmesan salad, 1/2 of the recipe (about 1 1/4 cups), 100 calories
• Fresh strawberries, about 1 cup, 50 calories Total calories (approx): 490 (how calories are calculated)

(1 cup = 240ml (US measurements))

Time needed: 25-30 minutes the night before; 10-15 minutes in the morning

Type: Not Japanese, alternative grains, gluten-free (note: please make sure the sausage you use is wheat-free if you are gluten intolerent.)