Do your kids need a fresh lunch box makeover?

(ARA) - The start of a new school year is an exciting time for children. Each fall begins with a new teacher, different classmates and a fresh start, making it the perfect time for you and your kids to get back into a daily routine.

A good place to start is the school lunch. The contents of your child's lunch are important to their overall daily nutrient intake. Packing the right kinds of foods can help them maintain energy levels and concentration throughout the day. To avoid falling into a rut and preparing the same lackluster foods, here are a few tips to help make over any lunch box this school year.

Take a supermarket safari. Many shoppers enter the supermarket with the same list of products for every visit. With hundreds of products to choose from in each section of the store, it's easy to stick with what we know. Discover the hidden gems of the supermarket by purchasing at least one item you've never tried before and find a way to incorporate it into a healthy lunch. It can be difficult if your child is a picky eater, so start with small changes. If your child is used to white bread, swap it for a whole grain pita instead or pack a different kind of protein in their lunch, such as almond butter with apple slices or hummus and veggie sticks. Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese is a great find because it's a 100 percent all-natural protein source and is versatile enough to be served alone, topped with strawberries, bananas and a touch of honey or incorporated into a variety of recipes.

Keep it fresh. The best way to ensure your kids eat their food is to keep it fresh. Insulated lunch bags are a great choice for school lunches. Some reusable insulated lunch bags are equipped with freezer packs. Not only are they great for keeping food fresh and appetizing, but they also provide you with the opportunity to pack a variety of perishable foods. A thermos is another good item to keep on-hand for foods that need to stay warm, such as chicken noodle soup.

Make it fun. Keep lunchtime interesting by allowing your kids to take the driver's seat when it comes to packing their lunch boxes. When kids are able to get involved in the process, they are more prone to eat it, as well as learn important nutritional information along the way. Consider taking them on their own supermarket safari, using fun-shaped cookie cutters for cutting sandwiches or decorating the lunch bag so it is personal. Visit FreshenUpYourFridge.com and pick a different recipe together each night to make it a bonding experience.

Strawberry Banana Parfait

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 banana, cut in chucks

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 cup quartered strawberries

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts

2 cups Daisy Brand 2 percent cottage cheese

Directions:

Toss banana with lime juice. Mix bananas with strawberries, honey and walnuts. Spoon the mixture into parfait glasses. Top each glass with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.

Courtesy of ARAcontent