It's easy to throw some things in a bag and call it a lunch but here are some tips on what to pack and how to pack them to ensure your kids are getting the energy and vitamins they need to keep them alert and finish the school day strong.

A sandwich is a great option and a popular option as the main entrée to pack with your kids lunch. "Things to take into consideration that we wouldn't want in that sandwich would be extra sodium, extra fat," Jenn Colgan is a licensed dietitian at Hy-Vee and she says that packing healthy items is important but the way you pack them can ensure your kids eat them. "Kids tend to prefer foods that are smaller and ready to eat, these would be things like peeled oranges and as opposed to whole oranges, sandwiches that are cut up into quarters instead of whole sandwiches."

You can include the idea of easy and fun to eat with your healthy side items too, "yogurt is a great source of calcium, it's a great dairy product and it fits in great into that occasional sweets category or it can be used as a dip, because kids also like things they can dip, so fresh fruit in yogurt is a perfect solution."

Desert can be a tough item to pack, Colgan says the key is to pack items lower in sugar and fat, "Rice Krispie bars you make at home can be a great special treat, animal cookies and pretzels are a great side and sort of treat item."

Another great tip is to check the organic isle at hy-vee either. They have some fruit roll-ups and candies that are lower in sugar and fat but you're kids will still enjoy.