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Lunch Tips

The following tips can help you pack a healthy lunch they'll eat.

1. Let kids help pack their own lunches.
2. Make it easy: Use foods that are cut, peeled, and ready to eat.
3. Make it fun: Use cookie cutters on sandwiches.
4. Remember the basics: low-fat protein, whole grains, fruits and veggies.
5. Substitute fresh fruit for gummy fruit snacks or fruit roll-ups.
6. Instead of desert, surprise them with a note, a cool new pencil, or a sticker.
7. Hummus is a fun, healthy dip with carrots, celery or crackers.
8. Try string cheese; it's kid-friendly, full of protein, and lower in fat than most cheeses.
9. Say "No" to sugary drinks and "Yes" to water or real fruit juice.
10. Keep perishables cool by packing a frozen water bottle or carton of juice.