Pack stink food in its own box

The trick to keeping your lunch box from smelling like a fish market is simple: pack the stinky stuff in its own sealed container, and wash that container right away.

Fish and eggs release sulfur compounds when cooked, and those compounds stick to plastic like they own the place. So don’t toss a piece of salmon directly into your lunch box, even if it’s in a sandwich bag. Any aromatic food needs a hard, airtight container. Glass or stainless steel is ideal because they don’t absorb odors. If you’re stuck with plastic, at least use one with a good rubber seal.

Also, put the stink container inside your lunch box separately from everything else, especially fruit or bread that can pick up the smell. After you eat, don’t let the container sit in your bag until you get home. Rinse it out at work if you can. At home, wash it with dish soap and a baking soda or vinegar scrub to pull out any leftover odor. Don’t forget the lid — that’s usually the worst part.

Keeping fish and eggs in your lunch isn’t the problem. Keeping them loose and letting them marinate in a warm container all morning is.

Future lunches deserve better.