Skip the hard lunch box entirely

The best lunch box for someone with arthritis is a soft, zippered insulated bag — not a hard case with latches.

Latches are the enemy. They require pinching, pulling, and often two hands to open, which is exactly what stiff joints don’t need. And hard lunch boxes are heavier and clunkier than a fabric bag. A soft cooler with a big zipper pull opens with one finger and weighs almost nothing. Look for one with a wide opening so you can see inside without digging.

Inside, skip the click-lock Tupperware. Use containers with soft silicone lids or press-on lids — like those from Ello or Rubbermaid’s Easy Find Lids. They seal well without needing a death grip. Or just use a sandwich bag.

Your lunch shouldn’t be harder to open than it is to make.