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Every mum knows that variety is the key to an empty lunchbox and a full child. So here are some more inspiring ideas to keep the kids happy, and alleviate the soggy sandwich slump that hits us mums this time of year. If you have already tried the ideas in our Lively Lunchboxes article, here are some more ideas to keep your kids munching happily! Subscribe to Type-A Mom articles

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• Break the mould when it comes to sandwiches…use pitta pockets, bagels and tortilla wraps stuffed with ham, cheese, salad etc.

• Try making the sandwiches look more exciting…a simple trick but it grabs the attention of the whole lunch room! Use cookie cutters on simple sandwiches to give them some pizzazz.

• A pasta dish provides carbohydrates as well as being easy to pack…just mix in some tuna and mayonnaise, tomatoes and olives or chicken to their favourite shaped pasta.

• Leftovers can be a great alternative…chicken drumsticks, meatloaf or a pizza slice can easily be included in a lunch box.

• Kids love to dip, so why not pack them houmous, guacamole, salsa or peanut butter with sliced pittas, bread sticks and carrot sticks.

• The dairy aisles in supermarkets are full of ways to include dairy into kid’s diets. Instead of the conventional yoghurts try the drinkable yoghurts or smoothies. For a dairy free version, Soya yoghurts or milkshakes are great.

• Don’t forget to include drinks, kids can become easily dehydrated and this leads to tiredness and poor concentration. Check carefully the nutritional labels on what you are buying…some juices labelled “juice drink” can contain only 5% juice and have more sugar than a can of cola. Pure fruit juice, milk or water is best. You can always put a water bottle in their back pack for breaktimes as well.

• Fruit is a must, but don’t just stick in an apple every day. Try slicing strawberries, apples and bananas and creating a fruit salad. Dried fruit may tempt a child not keen on the texture of fresh fruit.

So get creative with their lunch, and beat the lunch box boredom. Your kids will thank you for it and so will their teachers…well fed children can concentrate for longer and get so much more out of their school day.