The commuting lunch is a one-handed sport.

Packing for someone who eats in the car is basically designing a meal that can survive the steering wheel.

Think one-handed, zero assembly, no drip. Wraps beat sandwiches (they don’t fall apart), burritos beat burgers, and anything you can stab with a skewer or fork works for stop-and-go traffic. If it requires two hands, a knife, or a napkin stack, it’s a no.

Pack for the drive, not the table. Cut things into bite-size pieces so there’s no tearing or biting while navigating. Ditch sauces — they end up on the shirt or the gearshift. A thermos with soup or chili is actually great for cold mornings because it’s one hand and a spoon, but skip the noodles that require slurping. Save the tuna salad and hard-boiled eggs for someone who doesn’t share a cab with the meal.

Packaging matters more than the food. Pre-rip the foil or plastic. Use a jar or bottle with a straw lid instead of a can. Crinkly wrappers are annoying to the driver and everyone else in the car. And if it’s a long commute, avoid the hot-blast-from-the-vent method — an insulated lunch box with a small heat pack keeps food at the right temperature without the dashboard sauna.

Keep it simple, keep it dry, and keep it operable with one thumb. Your car will smell better for it.