Lunch can be fun! Learn to make nutritious and interesting lunches for kids.

Ah, the kids are back in school, and it hasn't been long since the refrigerator door was stuck open while someone in front of it complained "there's nothing to eat, Mom!" Yet are you already frustrated with the daily cry of "What's for lunch?" and discouraged to see an uneaten lunch come home from school?

You know your kids look anxiously into lunchboxes, grimacing at yet another PB&J sandwich which you've found is the one thing they usually will eat. While it's true that children often enjoy eating the same foods again and again, it's also true that variety is the spice of life! Growing bodies (and developing tastebuds) should be encouraged to eat a variety of nutritious and tasty things at lunch.

Lunchtime Basics

Lunch at home or lunch in school, remember these nutrition rules!

• Juice "punch" or "cocktails" are little more than glorified soda. Even drinks labeled as juice may have only a small percentage of real fruit. Buy 100 percent fruit juice when you have the choice.
• A truly healthy bread should be more than just mitts to hold a sandwich's contents. Buy whole grains and try a mix: look for oat, corn, multi-seeded or even gluten-free. Tortillas and pita pockets can also be used as alternatives to slices of bread.