Slim ice packs and collapsible utensils are worth it. Everything else is optional.

For a standard lunch box, the only accessories that earn their space are a slim ice pack, a collapsible utensil, and a small leakproof container.

Slim ice packs are the real winner. Get the flat flexible kind, around half an inch thick, not the bulky hard gel bricks. They slide along the bottom or under the lid, so they don’t push your food into a corner. If your lunch box is insulated and you’re eating within a few hours, you can even skip the ice pack entirely — but for anything with meat, dairy, or mayo, it’s worth the space.

Collapsible utensils are exactly as useful as they sound. A fork-and-spoon combo that clicks together or folds into its own case fits in a side pocket or between containers. You won’t use the straw version or the full knife set. Just get the simple two-piece and move on.

For sauces and dressings, skip the tiny dedicated containers with complicated lids. A small silicone food pouch or a 2-ounce jar works better and doesn’t add bulk. Those little screw-top sauce cups are fine too, but the silicone pouches flatten down when empty.

The rest — bento dividers, utensil rolls, fruit pickers, mini cutting boards — is stuff you will use once and then hate. Your lunch box is a shoebox, not a fridge. Keep it to three items and you’re done.