How to Keep Lunch Boxes Cold

A cold lunchbox keeps everything inside cool until you're ready to eat. If you use the wrong products inside the lunchbox, you risk the food getting warm and soggy by lunchtime. You also run the risk of the food going bad before you have time to eat it. Even if you don't have access to a refrigerator at work or school, it's still possible to keep your lunchbox and what's in it cool until mealtime.

• 1

  Freeze your drink, such as a juice box or water bottle, the night before. Pack the juice box or water bottle in the bottom of your lunch bag with the food on top. The liquid will melt slowly during the day, making it ready to drink at lunch and keeping the contents of your lunch box cool.

• 2

  Place a flexible ice pack on top of your food. A flexible ice pack stays cold but doesn't harden. It molds to the top of anything you place it on, providing more insulation for your lunch.

• 3

  Use an insulated lunch bag, which offers more protection than a traditional brown paper bag or plastic bag because of the insulated liner. It keeps moisture from leaking out of the bag and keeps your food cold.

• 4

  Store sandwiches in sealed plastic baggies and freeze overnight. Do this with sandwiches made with a sturdy bread, like wheat and leave off the lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise or any other toppings. Store your toppings in a separate bag and combine at lunch time.

• 5

  Keep your lunch bag in a cool place until it's mealtime. The longer the lunch bag sits in direct sun, the more time it has to melt the ice pack and juice box, which results in a warm and unappetizing lunch.