Torn between providing what you know is a healthy lunch, and giving your child what he or she will actually eat? Try some of the suggestions below. And let your children help—they’re more likely to eat it if they have a hand in packing it. If one idea doesn’t work, move on to another. Don’t give up!

Sandwiches and Substitutes

• Peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat
• Light cream cheese, pineapple slices and toasted sesame seeds
• Light cream cheese and dried fruit
• Low-fat cheese slice, turkey breast and low-fat mayo
• Pimento cheese made with fat-free cheese and low-fat mayo
• Tuna fish salad made with low-fat mayo, grapes and celery
• 1 individually wrapped string cheese and 1 banana muffin
• 1 wedge reduced-fat Laughing Cow cheese and 4 mini-party bread slices
• Flour tortilla spread with fat-free refried beans and sprinkled with low-fat cheese and then rolled up
• Turkey breast slices spread with light cream cheese, rolled up and cut—serve on party bread slices
• Peanut butter mixed with light cream cheese and raisins on rice cakes
• Hard boiled egg and low-fat crackers

Foods That Add Crunch (other than regular chips)

• Melon balls
• Apples or pears
• Baked chips
• Low fat tortilla chips
• Air-popped popcorn
• Mini carrots
• Pretzels in fun shapes
• Popcorn cakes or rice cakes

Sweet Endings

• Low-fat individual yogurt cup
• Fruit cup
• 2-3 Hershey’s kisses
• Drained mandarin oranges or regular orange sections
• Melon cubes
• Drained pineapple chunks
• Fat-free pudding in a cup
• Teddy Grahams (don’t overdo it!)
• Caramel popcorn cakes
• Plain cereal mixed with a few M & M’s or chocolate chips
• 2 graham crackers spread with light cream cheese and tsp. of mini chocolate chips or sprinkles
• Low-fat cookies (2-3 for a serving)