It's the new school year already, and with that comes new books, new school supplies, new teachers and classmates and new sack lunch ideas. It’s important to send children to school with healthy lunches packed with nutrients needed for learning. What also is important is to make sure that what is packed is actually eaten and that “brown bag boredom” doesn't set in.

The good news is that there are many ways to ensure that our childrens’ nutritious meals don’t get thrown away and that they actually are interested in what’s packed in that brown bag or insulated lunch bag (which actually is the preference for food safety reasons).

Be creative. Think outside the “lunchbox.” Consider a “dipper day” lunch. Kids love dipping their food in fun dips and sauces. Dedicate one day per week as dipper day. Try grilled chicken tenders with honey mustard. Cut celery, carrots, jicama and other fresh vegetables up to serve with low fat ranch-type salad dressing. Or try dipping multigrain tortilla chips in salsa. Make a fruit kabob of favorite fruits or just send fresh fruit pieces along with low fat yogurt for dipping.