An easy way to make healthy and fun lunches for kids is to prepare wraps as an alternative to a sandwich, fast food, or something processed from the store that is rady-to-eat. There are many types of wraps you can make for your children that won't break the bank, and that will add extra fresh fruits and vegetables to your child's diet.

Buying whole wheat wraps is a great way provide more fiber and nutrition. There are also many different types of wraps you can buy that are not too pricey, from whole wheat and extra fiber and extra calcium to fun colors like tomato and spinach varieties that children may enjoy since they are so colorful.

If your child loves vegetables, it's easy to throw a bunch of veggies such as spinach, tomato, onion, lettuce, avocado, olives, broccoli, peppers, and a number of other veggies. If you have your own garden this will make it even healthier and less expensive. One of my favorite wraps is lettuce, spinach, onions, avocado or guacamole, tomatoes, and olives. It's delicious and much healthier than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Maybe your kid doesn't care so much for veggies, but do they like burritos? Most children may not realize that beans are vegetables, so make them a healthy bean burrito. Simply place a nice big scoop of refried beans (fat free are best) or fresh black beans (you can buy the cheaper dry type and prepare them yourself) in the tortilla. Add salsa or fresh tomatoes and onions, cilantro, and anything your child favors to make a fun alternative to a sandwich.

Another similar option is to mix rice and beans with onions and other vegetables (such as broccoli, squash, cauliflower, or any other veggie) and add some cumin and garlic for a taco inspired flavor. Simply roll some of this mixture into a wrap for your child's lunch to create another interesting and healthy alternative to the norm.

If your child likes fruits, try making some of these fun varieties for them: 

Apples and cinnamon

Fresh fruit mix such as apples, bananas, berries, peaches, pears, etc

Peanut butter and fruit (apples and bananas work very well with peanut butter but you can use pineapples and almost any other fruits as well)

A mix of fruits with one or more dollops of the following: oatmeal with cinnamon, low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese

The possibilities are almost endless, so your child can get the extra fruits and vegetables they need without breaking the bank. Other healthy ideas as alternatives to sandwiches include salads, soups, pasta with tomato or tomato and vegetable sauce, pasta salads with vegetables, rice with vegetables, and many other options.

Your child may even come home bragging about how the other kids want lunches like his or hers! Wouldn't that be something? A little creativity and different options can create a good deal of excitement, especially for children still in elementary school.

All you need is a little creativity and to look out for good deals at the store. Healthier treats for children rather than sweets can include fruits, yogurts, trail mix or whole grain chips, and similar snacks to include in the lunches. Having your own vegetable garden and fruit trees can help you save money and also live a healthier lifestyle in terms of dietary habits. If you cannot have or do not want a garden of your own, consider shopping your local farmer's market. They usually provide wonderful deals and can help awaken your creativity by providing local fruits and vegetables you might not have considered. I am sure they are a great resource for new recipes as well.

These wraps I've mentioned are great for children, but also appealing for adults as an alternative to expensive and unhealthy fast food or prepared dishes loaded with sodium, fat, and otherwise processed. Besides, who doesn't like more options for their daily lunches?