These Incredible Lunches Are So Artistic You Won’t Want To Eat Them

    “Like a painter’s blank canvas, the possibilities are endless with bento making.”

    Mikey Nicholson
    by Mikey Nicholson

    BuzzFeed Staff, Australia

    A Filipino mother has combined her love for arts and crafts with the Japanese tradition of bento boxes to combat her children's eating habits.

    Nikki Garcia

    Nikki Garcia, told BuzzFeed, "I enjoy arts and crafts and all things creative, but with three kids, pottery, painting or scrapbooking it is just not possible."

    Nikki Garcia

    "Like many other mums, I barely have time for myself. Bento-making allows me to exercise my creative "me" time. [But] best of all, my kids benefit from my healthy food-art creations."

    "With two picky eaters, I needed a way to assess how much food they were actually getting from their meals."

    Nikki Garcia

    "My toddler loves playing with her food but when I stick crackers or pre-packaged finger snacks in her lunch bag, it is not exactly the healthiest choice and I never know how much she is eating and how much ends up on the floor."

    "I came across beautiful bento boxes on social media that not only looked super cool, but the food descriptions seemed tasty and simple enough to put together."

    Nikki Garcia

    "For the first time, my kids ate their snacks without protest."

    Now she's inspiring those around her with her creative snacks.

    Nikki Garcia

    "My entire family has caught on to my bento fever."

    Nikki Garcia

    "We all share ideas for new designs and themes for tomorrow's bento. The kids are excited to open their lunch, while I get excited when [I can] sneak in their veggies."

    While the word "bento" originated from Japan, the Filipino word "imbento" means "to invent".

    Nikki Garcia

    Garcia explains, "Every morning, I allow myself time to 'invent' and put together fun and healthy meals for my kids to enjoy."

    Using basic cookie cutters, a sharp knife and kitchen scissors, Garcia relies on Japanese kawaii characters and her kids' current interests for inspirations.

    Nikki Garcia

    "Like a painter's blank canvas, the possibilities are endless with bento making."

    For more of Nikki's adorable food art follow her on Instagram.