Lunchbox Love: Ham And Cheese Pinwheels

Most parents can agree: packing school lunches is a pain. Obviously, you want your kids to eat, but putting together a midday meal that is nut-free, nutritious and won't come back warm and squished hours later is a challenge.

That's why we turned to registered dietitian Noelle Martin. She's put together three easy-to-make, balanced lunches your kid might just enjoy. No promises, but it's worth a try, right? This lunch not a hit? Try one of these.

How can I make sure my kid eats at least some of their lunch?

It's no fun when your kid comes home grumpy and hangry. They want a huge after-school snack, which means they don't eat dinner and then they want a big bedtime snack. Not to spiral, but having them eat at least something can affect your whole evening.

The simplest way to get them to eat their lunch is to get their buy-in. As teacher-librarian Nicole Brown says in our Anatomy Of A Great School Day feature, "Involve your child in packing their lunch. I often see students open their lunch bags and slump in their chairs in disappointment. Those are the lunches that get picked over or thrown out."

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

What's inside?

• Ham and cheese pinwheels (recipe below)
• Greek yogurt with a happy face using a fruit.
• Berry Salad (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pomegranate seeds)
• Made Good granola bites
• That’s It Bar

Ham and cheese pinwheel recipe

• Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise and mustard on a large soft tortilla all the way to the edges
• Add ham and cheese slices on top
• Roll it up
• Slice the roll into half-inch pieces

What makes this a balanced lunch?

This lunch will help kids grow strong bones, says Martin. “Greek yogurt and cheese are both great sources of protein, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium!”

The That's It bar feels like a treat (kids love packaged foods, don't they?), but as Martin says, it is just a blend of fruits with no added ingredients.

Why is it appealing to kids?

First, Martin says that adding a smiley face with fruit to yogurt lets kids know that you are thinking of them. Plus, "bite-sized pinwheels are more fun and appealing to kids than a traditional wrap or sandwich.”