The National School Lunch and Breakfast program aims to provide kids with the most nutritious and affordable meals they can.

With summer now coming to a close and school starting up again, it’s the perfect time to think about switching up those sack lunches.

The National School Lunch and Breakfast program aims to provide kids with the most nutritious and affordable meals they can; however, finding foods kids like can sometimes be challenging.

The University of Illinois Extension Service says packing lunch from home is an alternative way to make sure children get the nutrition they need to grow and learn in a school environment. The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are nutritive and delicious, but can get boring.

But deciding what to pack for a child’s lunch can be difficult.

One way to ensure the child likes the meal is by including them in meal preparation. By including them in meal prep, they are more likely to enjoy and eat the entire meal.

Another method for making packing lunch easier is to make a list of food options from the grains, fruit, vegetable, dairy, and protein groups that the child enjoys eating, that way when it comes time to pack a lunch there is a series of ideas ready.

In following with shopping within the five major food group, aim for color. The more color in the lunch box, the more appealing it looks.

Kids, like adults, often eat with their eyes. An additional idea to make food more appealing is cutting sandwiches in different shapes or using a cookie cutter. Simple cutting a sandwich into a star can make the meal more exciting for a child and increase their desire to eat it.

Avoid choosing too many pre-packaged foods, as convenient as they are; they often contain higher levels of added sugar, fat, and sodium. It is okay to include a sweet treat like a cookie on occasion, but try to avoid doing it every day or include an oatmeal or peanut butter cookie where beneficial nutrients are hidden within the dessert.

Fruit is a great naturally sweet dessert. Having grapes and using low-fat vanilla yogurt as a dip is an easy dessert to pack for a quick taste of sweetness at the end of a meal. Providing a child with variety is a wonderful way to avoid that lunchtime boredom and keep meals fun and fresh.

Food safety is a concern when packing for school lunches, especially when the food this is supposed to be kept cold is going to be out of a refrigerator or freezer for four to five hours.

One solution to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in sandwiches is to freeze them the night before. When packing lunch in the morning surround the sandwich with ice packs to help keep food cold and safe prior to lunch time. Consider investing in an insulated lunch bag to keep cold food cold.

Prior to preparing lunches, always thoroughly wash your hands. Washing hands is one easy way to prevent food borne illnesses. Also wash fruits and vegetables to remove any residue or dirt present. Remember to separate the food that needs to be refrigerated from those that do not to avoid cross contamination.

On cold days, soup is a great option for children to bring to lunch. Just as it is important to keep cold foods cold, it is also important to keep hot foods hot. Hot foods should be above 140˚F, hot to the touch.

A Thermos works well to keep hot food at the correct temperature. Aim to purchase the stainless steel or the glass-lined bottles, as they are less susceptible to heat escaping. Another tip for using a Thermos is to fill the container with hot water for two to three minutes prior to filling with soup to preheat the bottle and better maintain the inside heat.

Below are ideas from each food group to include in a packed lunch and an easy way to make sure children are getting the needed nutrients to stay energized during the day.

— U of I Extension says enlist kids to help create nutritious sack meals  —