Think outside the bag: Five tricks to make kids' lunches fun and nutritious

Think outside the bag: Five tricks to make kids' lunches fun and nutritious

(ARA) - Parents are frequently faced with a challenging lunchtime dilemma: packing a healthy lunch for their kids, or packing one they'll actually eat. No parent wants to prepare a lunch only to have parts of it end up in the trash, so smart moms and dads are using simple strategies to take the brown bag lunch to a new level.

Here are five easy tips for making a wholesome lunch your child will love:

Colorful contents
You can take advantage of kids' love of colors and make lunchtime a rainbow smorgasbord. Try new fruits and veggies that pop with color, like yellow peppers, red grapes and orange apricots. When grocery shopping, let children choose their own items in the produce section. Kids are more likely to eat the healthy items they've selected themselves.

Dipping delight
Kids love to dip, and if they have a favorite dip or sauce, they will be more inclined to eat all their fruit and veggies. Try packing a favorite salad dressing or flavorful hummus for veggies like broccoli or carrots. Yogurt can be a healthy dip for fruit, graham crackers or vanilla wafers, while mustard or soft cheese work great for snacks like crackers or pretzels.

Sandwich fun
Sandwiches are the go-to lunch item for more than 70 percent of moms, according to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research. Try turning an ordinary sandwich into something special by experimenting with exciting shapes. New Goldfish Sandwich bread from Pepperidge Farm is a fun crust-free bread option designed with the familiar Goldfish shape in mind-and comes complete with the trademark Goldfish smile. With 3 grams of fiber per roll, along with essential vitamins and minerals and no high-fructose corn syrup, this wholesome bread is sure to be a hit with kids and parents alike.

Creative alternatives
Just like adults, kids can get bored eating the same food day after day, so don't hesitate to shake things up. Try revamping the classic PB&J with a fun twist by layering on some sliced bananas, honey or cinnamon as an alternative to jelly. For meat-based sandwiches, add some pizzazz by using thinly sliced apples for a sweet crunch, or a new type of cheese that adds a bit of protein and calcium to the meal.

Presentation counts
Kids love to open their lunchbox to brightly-wrapped treats. Whether you turn to creative bag designs or colored plastic wrap, this fun packaging makes unwrapping lunch like unwrapping presents. Adding stickers and special notes can make eating even more of a joyful experience.

When lunch is fun and wholesome, kids will love it, and you can feel good about what they are eating. For more tips, visit www.facebook.com/PepperidgeFarm.