But as we like to say, when the kids get picky, moms get inventive. Get creative with food. Different shapes, sizes and colours can be enough to pique a kid's interest. Swap sandwich bread for something more interesting such as tortillas or pitas. Providing a delicious dip can make veggies disappear faster than you can say "Brussels sprouts." Chocolate milk may seem like a treat, but it also packs a nutritional punch. Dried fruit may still be fruit, but it tastes delicious and looks very tempting to little eyes! They'll love the food, and you'll love the fact that it's actually good for them.

Picky Eater SOS

Some helpful tips to keep kids eating balanced meals.

• Don't stop at apples and oranges. Think kiwi fruit, mangoes, pineapple and papaya. The more choices, the greater the chance they might actually choose one.
• Try, try and try again. Kids change their minds on a daily basis. Let someone else try - veggies from their favourite aunt might be gobbled up in no time.
• Get them when they're at their hungriest. Barrelling in after a busy day at school, they're more likely to try whatever you put in front of them.
• Be inventive and get kids involved ... see our chart full of creative solutions for new ideas.
• If you've tried everything, relax. So your child refuses to eat tomatoes - try carrots. There's always an alternative they will enjoy that's also nutritious.

And the Winner Is ...

Vegetables, of course. According to our survey, here are the lunchtime foods that 6-12 year olds are most picky about.

• Vegetables 58%
• Meat 15%
• Sandwiches 7%
• Pasta 7%
• Fruit 5%
• Soup 5%
• Other 3%

Smart Bites

Want your kids to eat more of these lunch staples? Simply try our creative solutions below so they'll enjoy every bite.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Grate veggies and add into sandwiches or muffins
• Veggie sticks and dip: try Cheez Whiz Spread or Philadelphia Dips
• Del Monte Juice Box
• Freeze fruit such as grapes or watermelon cubes and send in plastic bags
• Dried fruit or 100 percent fruit leather snacks
• Celery sticks or apple slices with Kraft Peanut Butter
• Include veggies you wouldn't normally send for lunch, such as snow peas, cabbage, green beans or grape tomatoes

• Kraft Singles Slices cut into fun shapes with a cookie cutter
• Yogourt with yummy stir-ins such as granola, raisins or cereal
• Cheese strings
• Chocolate milk

Fun Lunch Twists

• Try making sandwiches with tortillas, bagels or pita
• Trail mix or snack mix with cereal dried fruit and nuts
• Deli meats and Kraft Singles Slices sandwiched between Triscuits or Stoned Wheat Thins Crackers
• Hearty foods such as Minestrone Soup or chili in an insulated thermos
• Thermos filled with Kraft Dinner Easy Mac
  Mac 'n Cheese
• Waffle or leftover pancake with some Philadelphia Flavoured Cream Cheese Spread
• Cold Delissio Pizza slices

Lunchbox Jokes

Click here to get entertaining jokes to put in your kid's lunchbox!