Reluctant Luncher

It's 6 a.m. You stand groggy-eyed and uninspired as you peer into the way-too-bright fridge trying to figure out a lunch that your child will eat. You dig around the Tupperware drawer trying to find a matching lid. Oh, you give up. Cheese stick, apple and yogurt tube it is.

Sound familiar? Let this school year be different.

If you're like us, you're likely not going to jump on the bento box bandwagon. Who has time to break out the art supplies in the morning?

To ensure that your child's lunch doesn't go straight into the trash or get traded for something a lot less nutritious, parents need to approach the nagging lunch problem with a strategy. Here are some creative, healthy ideas:

Update a Classic

The ubiquitous PB&J can get a little boring after a while. Try one of these easy variations to add some excitement to the run-of-the-mill sandwich.

Use nut butters. Sprouts brand Cashew Butter and Almond Butter are roasted and ground in small batches every week.
Go Elvis. The King loved his peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Give a hat tip to Elvis by adding sliced banana between the peanut butter and jelly. Or try other fruits such as sliced apples, pears or raisins.

Nix the bread. Spread PB&J between two rice cakes for a welcome crunch to the classic pairing — plus, it's gluten-free.
Use a savory jam or jelly. Try Bionatura's 100 percent Wild Blackberries fruit spread or Crofter's Superfruit Spread to add unexpected decadence to your child's sandwich.

Dip into Something Different

Children love to play with their food. Encourage them to dip veggies, leftover chicken breast, whole grain crackers or pita wedges into dips that you can pack into little containers. Add Mediterranean flair with tzatziki yogurt sauce, eggplant baba ganoush, black bean dip or low-fat salad dressing. Sprouts Brand Hummus is also perfect for dipping. Try the Roasted Red Pepper, Roasted Garlic, and Artichoke flavors.

Round Out the Meal

Fill a wrap with your child's favorite fixings, slice into pinwheels and thread with a toothpick. The circular shape gives them a little more pizzazz when compared to the typical lunch box sandwich.

The wrap – tortilla (flour, multigrain, whole wheat, tomato basil, spinach or corn).
The "paste" – cream cheese, brie, hummus, mashed avocado, jam, pizza sauce, mayo, pesto, olive tapenade, refried beans.
The fillings – sliced deli meat, shredded chicken, smoked salmon, tuna or egg salad, cheese, chopped salad, vegetables or fruit, rice, salsa.

Make Lunch Stack Up

Everything tastes better on a stick! Kabobs are a fun way to mix up ordinary fruits, veggies and sandwich fixings. Be sure to cut the sharp edges off the wooden skewers.

Flavorful Fruits – cut and skewer bite-sized fruits such as strawberries, pineapple, melon, grapes or dried apricots. Avoid bananas and apples, which will discolor by the time the lunch bell rings.

Versatile Veggies – combine cherry tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, celery, cucumbers, and broccoli or cauliflower florets.
Stackable Sammies – stack cubes of whole wheat bread, low-fat cheddar cheese, rolled-up deli meat, lettuce and tomato.

Please note: With nut allergies on the rise, many schools have banned peanuts, tree nuts and nut butters in packed lunches. Before sending your little ones off to school, find out if there is a "no nuts" policy.