Hard sides beat soft bags

Bread gets squashed in a lunch box for two reasons: it’s packed under heavier stuff, or it’s in a soft bag that has no structure.

The fix is a rigid container. A plastic sandwich keeper, a bento box, or even a Tupperware that fits the bread snugly does the job. If the lid rests above the bread instead of on it, the sandwich survives. That’s the whole trick — give the bread a hard shell.

If you’re stuck with a soft lunch bag or backpack, at least pack the bread last and on top. And don’t let it slide around; loose sandwiches get bruised. Wedge it with an apple or a bag of chips.

One more thing: the bread itself matters. Sturdy sourdough or whole grain holds up way better than fluffy white sandwich bread. Toasting helps too.

A three-dollar sandwich keeper is cheaper than the sad feeling of opening a flattened lunch.