The more you involve your children in planning and preparing their school lunch, the more likely they will be to eat it. Believe it or not, this is also a great way to expand the variety of foods your kids will eat.

After preparing thousands of tuna sandwiches for my eldest son's lunches--he's now 15--I approached lunch with my youngest quite differently.

Beginning when he was in first grade, we agreed that he would tell me two or three things he would like to have for lunch. For a few weeks, his lunches would consist of those foods. Then we'd discuss changes to the menu, and I would prepare lunches with the new set of preferences.

This way, he was happy with the lunches I packed and, most importantly, he ate them.

By the time he was in second grade, Stephan was planning his lunches with me on a weekly basis. We always planned one week ahead so I would have time to shop for the ingredients. Most days, he also helped me make his lunch the night before.

When kids do the planning and at least some preparing for their own school lunch, there's not much room for complaints.

Here are five fast school lunch ideas that will work for kids of all ages:

1. Bagel with vegetable 'confetti'

Spread a bagel, use your child's favorite flavor, with plain cream cheese.

Then finely dice an array of sweet raw veggies such as red and yellow peppers and carrots. Sprinkle the veggies liberally over the bagel half.

Delicious!

2. Sushi rolls

Most kids LOVE California sushi rolls. The imitation crab meat is sweet, the cucumber crunchy, and the avocado makes is creamy.

If you prefer, you can roll the "crab meat," cucumber and avocado in a flour tortilla instead of the rice .

Cut into pieces as you would a regular sushi roll and wrap it tightly.

3. You can use the same roll or wrap technique above with salmon or tuna salad. Tortilla wraps are fun and easy!

4. Sneak some veggies or fruit into their sandwich. Kids generally like the taste of sweet fruit or veggies, but they don't like the thought or look of them.

Try slicing thin slices of pears or apples and adding them to sandwiches. It provides great crunch--and nutrients.

For a healthy dose of Vitamin A, puree some deliciously sweet winter squash (butternut, acorn etc.) and spread onto sandwhich instead of processed mayonnaise.

5. Frito Pie

My healthy alternative to this crunchy classic is ALWAYS a hit with kids and easy to make--pronto.

Take your favorite chili recipe, with or without meat, heat it through, and send it to school in a thermos with a cup top.

In separate plastic bags, send along some baked tortilla chips and shredded Monterey jack or cheddar cheese.

Have your children arrange some crumpled crips along the bottom of the thermos cup, then add shredded cheese and top with warm chili. The chili melts the cheese, and kids adore it!