Lunch Boxes - What's Hot (and Healthy) in the Cafeteria

No more crinkly brown bags for school lunch, kid bento boxes are in this year. Can't blame you for trying to keep your kid away from not-so-stellar hot school lunch -- federal reimbursement for the National School Lunch Program is so pathetic, schools are left with a chicken nugget buck to spend on each lunch. Yes, about $1.

You can do better. Check out these healthy-to-go tools for your back-to-schooler, with a few featured here:

Laptop Lunchboxes. This American-style bento box encourages you to pack portion-right sizes of a variety of foods -- without any baggies landing in the garbage. No phthalates, BPA or lead, and it's reusable, recyclable and dishwasher safe. You can even purchase an extra set of inner containers just in case you left the containers in the sink. My second grader (pictured) loves his new black Laptop Lunchbox with red containers. This earth-friendly invention is forcing me to steer away from single-serve yogurt or applesauce and buy in bulk jars/tubs instead. One major complaint, missing a slot for an ice pack. May have to splurge on the carrying case with velcro mesh pouch and this non-toxic ice pack instead.


FUNtainer. If your school kid loves a cup of warm chicken noodle soup, how about this Hello Kitty FUNtainer made by Thermos? No worries, your son can choose a boy-cool design. Keeps cold for seven hours or hot for five. Extra-wide mouth is perfect for mom's leftover creamy carrot soup.

For Baggie Haters. Let's face it, all those cute little baggies end up in landfills. Check out Lunch Skins over at 3greenmoms -- reusable bags are made from colorful, food-safe fabric. You can even throw them in the dishwasher. Sold.

Fit Family Back-To-School Assignment: If your kids are hot lunch groupies, sit them down and explain why many school lunches are so processed these days. Give 'em the facts, then try packing a healthier lunch from home one or two days a week. Wow 'em with the fruits and veggies they love. Sliced cheese and whole grain crackers. A hard-boiled egg and whole-grain pasta tossed with oil, garlic and parmesan. Then check in with Fit Family next week for tasty, healthy lunch ideas just right for those mysterious bento bins or a cabinet overflowing with Tupperware.

And if they won't listen to you (likely), let Ann Cooper, aka the renegade lunch lady, explain it all.