For children tired of the same white bread every day, a sandwich made on a whole-wheat bagel can be an appetizing alternative.

Many parents often rack their brains for new packed lunch ideas. According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Hormel Foods, 39 percent of parents surveyed ranked nutrition as the most important consideration when packing a lunch. Only 6 percent ranked taste as the primary consideration. On the other hand, kids — as most parents know — focus on taste!

"To keep your kids happy but still healthy, combine taste and nutrition so lunch isn't traded or thrown away," said Ruth Carey, a registered dietitian who counsels parents and kids on nutrition. "Lunch from home is great, because you know that your child is eating nutritiously."

In fact, 41 percent of parents agree that it's a struggle to make their child's lunch both fun and healthy. For those parents, Carey has a number of simple solutions.

Try these recipes, in addition to Carey's tips, to create stress-free, tasty school lunches and after-school snacks.

Delicious, nutritious tips

According to a recent survey, 50 percent of parents say their child is a picky eater. Often it's hard to get those children to eat a packed lunch. To keep kids happy but still healthy, combine taste and nutrition. Ruth Carey, a registered dietitian, offers the following tips to ensure lunches are not traded or thrown away.

• Make It Unique: Mix up the classic sandwich by using a whole grain bagel or wheat tortilla instead of bread. Pile on preservative-free deli ham with kid-friendly condiments.

• Keep It Cool: A small frozen water bottle in a colorful insulated lunch bag will keep food cool and give children the needed fluid to get through recess.

• Calcium Counts: Slip in some calcium by adding baby Swiss cheese as a snack or sandwich condiment.

• Leave Some Love: Add a note from home or a colorful sticker to add some fun and love to lunch.

"A little creativity and effort will go a long way. The kids will be happy because they look forward to eating their packed lunch every day. You'll be comforted knowing that they are eating a healthy, nutritious meal," Carey said.

1 multigrain bagel, sliced in half1 lettuce leaf2 slices Swiss cheese2 tomato slices2 bell pepper rings4 slices cooked deli ham2 tablespoons alfalfa sproutsTo assemble sandwich, layer bottom half of bagel with lettuce leaf, cheese slices, tomato slices, bell pepper rings, ham slices and alfalfa sprouts. Cover with top half of bagel.Makes 1 sandwich.

24 baked triangular-shaped whole-wheat crackersSliced pepperoni¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheeseSalsaPlace two slices of pepperoni onto 12 crackers. Sprinkle with cheese and top with remaining crackers to form sandwich. Place crackers on microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds or until cheese melts. Serve with salsa for dipping.Makes 12.

1 (10-ounce) can chunk breast of chicken, drained and flaked2 cups thinly sliced Romaine lettuce½ cup real crumbled bacon1 tomato, diced4 tablespoons creamy Caesar salad dressing1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese4 (8-inch) flour tortillasIn a bowl, combine chicken, lettuce, bacon, tomato, salad dressing and cheese. Toss well. Evenly divide mixture among tortillas. Wrap tortillas around filling and serve.Makes 4 servings.Tip: Consider securing the tortillas with plastic wrap to ensure a mess-free lunch.

Simple, tasty and fun are the keys to a bagged lunch children will eat. Using whole-wheat crackers to construct mini-quesadillas is a fun snack idea.

Few students pack a salad for lunch, but lettuce, chicken and dressing wrapped up in a flour tortilla is a way to sneak nutrition into a fun lunch.