(NC)—Now that summer is over and your kids' lunchboxes need to be filled, it's time to come up with healthy ideas that they won't trade away. Here's some food for thought that's sure to help you please even the pickiest of eaters.

1. If they build it, they will eat. A sandwich is boring, but a sub? Now we're talking. Pack them a whole-wheat bun and a container filled with their favourite toppings, sliced and ready to stack: tomato, turkey, low-fat cheese and spinach. Giving them a say in this lunchtime classic will make it taste that much better.

2. Some like it hot. A thermos may seem old fashioned and hefty, but when you fill it with a trendy favourite like Pad Thai spiked with tofu, broccoli and bean sprouts, your kids won't mind carrying the extra load.

3. Eat what they eat. If your kids see you packing your own lunch (and filling it with nutritious items like whole grain crackers, healthy soup, fruit and baby carrots) they'll be more likely to eat their healthy lunches too.

4. Find a new favourite. At My Best, a national school-based children's wellness program developed by AstraZeneca Canada and Physical and Health Education Canada, has suggestions for healthy foods your kids will love. You can download lunchbox-friendly recipes like couscous salad and tuna-stuffed celery sticks online at www.atmybest.ca.

5. Get over the hump. Switch up their lunch routine by offering them foods from all over the world every Wednesday. A teriyaki stir-fry one week and Moroccan stew the next? Yum! You'll probably want to save some for yourself too.

www.newscanada.com