You’re not even halfway through the school year and already your child is complaining about what you pack for school lunch. It’s hard to resist pleas for heavily-advertised and calorie-saturated foods that your child sees her friends unpack at lunchtime. But with a little ingenuity, you can win over even the pickiest eater.

• Use a cookie cutter on sandwiches. This will eliminate the dreaded “crust problem,” and make the average p, b and j sandwich something special.
• Buy a small wide-mouthed thermos and start sending along your child’s favorite soups or hot mac ‘n’ cheese.
• Layer meats, cheese, fruits and veggies on a toothpick to make a kebab instead of a sandwich.
• Cut larger fruits-like cantaloupe or pineapple-into bite-sized pieces and send them to school in small, plastic tubs.
• Choose mini bottles of water instead of fruit juices that have high sugar content.
• Bake a batch of your kid’s favorite cookies and pack them as a special treat.