We're only a few weeks into the new school year and you can already hear the collective groan of parents opening lunch boxes with partially eaten food inside.
If this sounds familiar, you're in good company, according to dietician and nutrition lecturer Dr Andrea Fuller from the University of Southern Queensland.
"It's a real challenge finding that balance between wanting to give the kids nutritious food and on the other hand having them eat it," she says.
"And we obviously want them to eat at school, because that's important with learning."
Here are five tasty recipes for making school lunch boxes more appealing.
Make it easy to eat
We've all heard the excuses from our little non-eaters, "I was too busy playing", "That is yucky", and "My friend said she doesn't like that". Sigh.
Dr Fuller's advice is to keep lunch box portions smaller and simpler.
"So don't have big sandwiches and big pieces of fruit and things like that."
"Try to have a variety of smaller items, that becomes not only appealing for the kids but easier to eat."
Think boiled eggs, sliced apples (with a little lemon juice squeezed on to keep them fresh), veggie sticks with dip, and instead of sandwiches, try these — for a snack-sized hit of protein for little hands.
Another on-the-go snack are these which are packed full of the good stuff for the kids' lunch boxes as a school treat.
Get the kids involved
If you have a variety of things ready to go in the fridge and pantry, Dr Fuller says kids can choose and pack what appeals to them.
And the good news — they're much more likely to eat it.
Get little hands helping you roll and cook some , a tasty — and crispy — twist on an Aussie classic.
"A really good snack in a lunch box is meatballs," she says.
"So that's something that the kids can get involved in making and then you can just pop them in the oven, or an air fryer."
Ensure lunches containing cheeses, yoghurts, meats and salads are packed in insulated lunch boxes or cooler bags with a frozen drink bottle or freezer brick inside.
For sweeter, home-made lunch box options try these , an ideal way to use stone fruit — especially when they're in season.
Simple and satisfying, these muesli bars, made with lots of seeds and honey, make for a mighty satisfying snack.
This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
