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 Johnson, a registered dietitian and director of clinical nutrition at Children's Medical Center Dallas. "But, ask your child to pick a new vegetable or new fruit for the entire family to try each trip to the grocery."

Children are more willing to try new foods if they have had a part in the choosing. A variety of foods gives children the multitude 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.

Here are some ideas to chew on:

• 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.

For more information about proper nutrition, click here.