Monday Chicken salad made with Light Miracle Whip, whole-wheat crackers for dipping, plus baby carrots and a package of string cheese.
	Tuesday Whole-grain tortilla wrap of turkey breast, alfalfa sprouts, plus cherry tomatoes, a bag of celery sticks and a tangerine.
	Wednesday Three to four mini-bagels filled with Canadian bacon and low-fat cream cheese, plus broccoli and a bag of clustered grapes.
	Thursday Tuna salad with Light Miracle Whip, whole-grain bread sticks for dipping, plus zucchini sticks, a packet of dry-roasted nuts and a half-cup of blueberries.
	Friday Whole-grain pita bread stuffed with seasoned lean ground beef, shredded lettuce and tomato slices, plus a cup of yogurt and a serving of pineapple chunks.

Still sticking to peanut butter sandwiches for school lunches? They’re a brown bagger’s favorite, but today’s markets offer lots of new options.

“Some kids don’t want to try new things in their lunch. As long as it’s nourishing, don’t worry about it,” says Glenys Phillips, a registered dietitian and director of clinical nutrition at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. “But, ask your child to pick a new vegetable or new fruit for the entire family to try each trip to the grocery store.”

Children are more willing to try new foods if they have had a part in the choosing. A variety of foods gives children the variety of nutrients they need for health and expands their palates.

Lunches should include protein, such as meat, beans or nuts, and lean more heavily on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. De-emphasize sweets and fats, but a special treat two or three times per week can fit into a healthy lifestyle.

• Enliven a meat sandwich with cucumber slices or baby spinach.
• Try whole-grain tortilla wraps, bagels, pita bread, crackers or bread sticks.
• Substitute fresh berries for apples or bananas.
• Offer pretzels or no-fat popped popcorn instead of potato chips.
• Trade sugary drinks like soda for low-fat milk or flavored calorie- free water.
• Keep foods like chicken salad cool by packing a carton of milk or water frozen earlier.