Packing a healthy and satisfying lunch at home has become increasingly important because it is no secret that school-provided lunches contain more fat and sugar than protein and vitamins. The challenge for parents, however, is preparing a lunch that is not only nutritious, but also one that their children will eat.

According to chef Ann Cooper, director of nutrition services for the Berkeley Unified School District in California, parents should take the “laptop lunchbox system approach” to preparing lunches.