Customizable Bistro Protein Box

This Bistro Protein Box recipe template is the perfect lunch or snack to meal prep ahead of time. These bistro boxes are ideal to pack for back to school or bring to work. Plus, you get to customize with a mix of your favorite proteins, energizing carbohydrates, crunchy veggies, and a tasty dip.

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by The American Egg Board. All opinions are my own; I never feature a brand that I don't love!

What is a bistro box?

A bistro box is a box broken up into compartments/sections and filled with a balance of protein, carbs, veggies, and dip choices. It's also commonly called a "protein box" or "bento box. Crafting your own protein boxes at home is an easy way to save on time and cost.

Simply mix and match various ingredients to suit your taste buds and dietary preferences. Plus, you can skip the grocery run and use up any bits of food you already have on hand!

Are eggs healthy?

A staple I always add to my bistro boxes is hard boiled eggs. This small but mighty ingredient is a nutrient powerhouse. One large egg packs in 6 grams of complete protein alongside essential vitamins and minerals for healthy living. Here are some benefits of eggs to keep in mind.

Eggs for brain health

The choline in eggs helps support lifelong brain health at every age and stage, including memory, thinking, mood and more. Choline isn't found in high quantities in many foods. Luckily, eggs are one of the most concentrated food sources of choline in the American diet.

Choline is critical to good health and remains essential throughout the lifespan. Getting enough choline is especially important for pregnancy and early childhood development. In fact, recent studies have found maternal choline intake during the second and third trimesters can improve measures of cognitive function in infants and can have long term benefits on brain development and health.

Eggs for muscle recovery

Eggs are considered a complete protein, meaning they contain all 9 essential amino acids (aka building blocks of proteins). Enjoying high-quality protein, like eggs, in combination with carbohydrates post-workout can help refuel our muscles and optimize recovery.

The protein and good-for-you fat found in eggs can also help you feel fuller longer, making them a perfect choice for sustained energy throughout the day. Try meal prep breakfast burritos, veggie loaded egg muffins, or a savory potato hash for breakfast.

Eggs fit into a heart-healthy diet

Science is in alliance: Heart-healthy eating can include eggs, as supported by an abundance of research including a recent Harvard study evaluating up to 32 years of data.

In fact, according to the American Heart Association, healthy people can include an average of seven eggs per week as part of a heart-healthy diet. Older adults with normal cholesterol and vegetarians can include more in the context of moderation.

How do you make a bistro protein box?

Let's talk about how to assemble your completely customizable bistro protein box.

1. Start with eggs

These nutritional powerhouses are a great way to start your bistro box. You could meal prep hard-boiled eggs or try air fryer egg muffin bites (bonus points for adding veggies!).

2. Add extra proteins

Along with the hard boiled egg, I recommend adding over 1 to 2 ounces (or about 2 to 4 tablespoons) of additional protein foods. 

Here are some protein choices to try:

• Nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, etc.)
• Nut Butter
• Sliced Turkey or Chicken
• Roasted Chickpeas
• Edamame

3. Add carbs

Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of energy. Try to mainly choose ones filled with lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Here's some examples:

• Fruit (strawberries, grapes, blueberries, sliced apples, orange segments, watermelon chunks, etc.)
• Sliced Baguettes
• Energy Bites
• Pita Chips
• Whole Grain Crackers
• Rice Cakes

4. Add veggies

The goal is to get at least 3 servings of vegetables/day. This box includes ~1 serving of vegetables, helping you work towards this goal.

Try these colorful veggie options:

• Bell Peppers
• Sliced Cucumber
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Carrot Chips
• Snap Peas
• Broccoli Florets
• Celery Sticks
• Cauliflower Florets
• Zucchini Sticks
• Feel free to add a variety of multiple different veggies too!

5. Don't forget the dip

I find plain veggies can get somewhat bland, so I recommend serving with a dip on the side.

Here are some ones I love:

• Hummus
• Guacamole
• Queso
• Salsa
• Black Bean Dip
• Cottage Cheese
• Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
• Peanut Sauce
• Baba Ganoush
• Pesto
• Tzatziki

Recipe tips and tricks

• Serving Tips: For an even more satisfying meal, you can pair your bistro box with a side salad or soup.
• Troubleshooting Tips: If you find your veggies are getting a bit soggy after a few days, try placing a piece of paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb excess moisture.
• Scaling Tips: Making bistro boxes for a group, your kids, or multiple days? Simply repeat the instructions to make as many bistro boxes as you need.

Can I make this box ahead of time?

Absolutely! These snack boxes are ideal for meal prep. Add all the ingredients to the meal prep container sections and store in the fridge. These will save you time during busy weekdays and ensure you have a nutritious meal or snack box ready to go.

How do I store these protein boxes?

Add an airtight lid over your protein boxes and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Perfect to enjoy all week long! See this recipe in action on my Instagram video!

Need more help with recipes for your busy schedule?

In my coaching + cooking program, I help busy people with beginner cooking knowledge become confident in the kitchen so that they can enjoy nourishing foods they love and stress less about mealtime. Click here to learn more about this virtual program led by a dietitian.

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Want more? Try these other meal prep recipes

• Customizable Power Bowl
• Veggie Egg Pasta Salad with Chickpeas
• Salted Caramel Protein Bites (shown in pictures)