Choosing healthy and nutritious lunch items and after-school snacks is essential - but they have to be things kids like to eat. It's easy to do both by including dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese. For a refreshing and healthy afternoon snack, how about a tall glass of lowfat milk or chocolate milk? A cup of low-fat yogurt or some cubed cheese like Monterey Jack or Cheddar are great easy-to-pack options for lunch boxes. Try using cookie cutters to create fun shapes that kids will love to eat. Cottage cheese with fruit is also quick to fix and it's tasty and filling too.

Developing good eating habits early on can help children make their own healthy food choices later in life. In addition to being full of flavor, California milk and other dairy products are an excellent source of calcium and other important nutrients like vitamin D, phosphorus, riboflavin, and protein.