With children returning to school this week, once again parents will have the task of preparing school lunches.

Jolene Rommelaere, a dietician with the Cypress Health Region says the key is providing kids with food that will keep them energized.

"I think first and foremost we need to emphasize the importance of nutrients and getting energy for the kids to learn and play at school. When I think of packing a lunch, initially I think of trying to get all of the four food groups in the lunch."

Rommelaere adds that children are more likely to eat their lunches if they are involved in the food decisions and preparation.

"To get them involved in the preparation of the lunch even maybe get them involved with grocery shopping. Get them to pick out a few items that they would like to pack in their lunch and even for the older kids they can be starting to make their own sandwiches or putting leftovers in their thermos and things like that. For the younger kids you can get them putting their snacks in little reusable containers and giving them options to pick from."

Rommelare stresses the importance of including the four food groups and including a variety of options such as hot or cold cereal as a grain helping rather then a sandwich. Cutting sandwiches into different shapes and using different breads and cheese are also ways to keep lunch interesting.

Preparing and packing lunches the night before will also help to ease the morning rush.