Uh-oh, the naughtiest of the grandparents has arrived to stay. Nana Lynne flew in last night, showering us all with gifts.I shouldn't complain, but as her present to the lovely husband was an apron that says “health food makes me sick”, it would be wise of me to prepare for two weeks of sabotage!Nevertheless, I am counting my blessings as Nana is here to help with the kids while the husband is overseas “working”.I know I sound sceptical, but really, how much work can anything be, without two kids tugging at your trousers? And I know, I know, he has to spend hours and hours travelling, with one flight after another.The idea of putting my feet up on a plane, sipping a drink, reading a magazine and watching a movie uninterrupted sounds dreadful. Personally I prefer it with a teething baby and a toddler intent on distributing Cheerios far and wide around the cabin.I shouldn't complain. Like all mums, I truly believe I have the greatest kids on the planet. The chaotic-yet-treasured after-work and bedtime hours are the very best part of my day.Okay, well sometimes the glass of wine once they are in bed is the best part, but you know what I mean. There's no doubt that being a parent is hard.It's not that we don't love it, but it can be very stressful trying to Do It All. One of my wisest mummy friends said: It's not that I mind doing it all, I just wish I had the time to enjoy doing it all. That is so true!Usually, after I have drained my post-bedtime glass of wine, the lovely husband and I get on with dinner and making Chloe's lunch. I try extra hard to make hers appealing as I am usually sneaking in several healthy snacks.Cookie cutters for sandwiches have revolutionised my life. It's amazing how many 14-grain sandwiches a toddler will eat when they are in the shape of a teddy or a snowman. I'm not saying I could get her to eat tofu this way, but I'm all about the small victories.This week, with Naughty Nana around, healthy lunches are going to be even more important. Somehow, despite my best efforts, Chloe became acquainted with Ice Queen ice cream and Jelly Belly jelly beans during her last visit.It must be the very best part of being a grandparent wind up your grandchildren into a frenzy of excitability, add in a sugar rush…. and then give them back.What's up with that? Is it revenge for all the sleepless nights? Needless to say, there will be an awful lot of edamame and carrot sticks in Chloe's lunch box this week!Thankfully, food manufacturers have cottoned onto the fact that as parents we want healthy options for our kids, but they need to make them look really fun. Gone are the days of the boring looking healthy option vs the psychedelic junk option. But it does mean it can be hard to tell the difference between the two, so let me help you out with a few tips.Healthy lunch box tips for kids!Edamame: Sneaking protein into lunch boxes can be tricky, but it's vital for healthy growth and development. If all else fails, include a packet of Dora or Sponge Bob organic edamame. These little packs look like junk but are actually healthy, and you can find them in the freezers of Miles and some other grocery stores.They are small, individual packs of either shelled (Dora) or un-shelled (Sponge Bob) edamame beans, that look really fun. They provide a healthy dose of protein and whilst I would go easy on soy for kids especially refined soy products edamame in moderation is a healthy, whole food. We just call them “Dora Beans” in our house and they go down a treat.On the protein theme, if you have a child that wolfs down tuna sandwiches, then hooray for you (and boo-hoo for the poor dolphins). Other quality protein options include hummus, egg, cheese, turkey and ham.However, if you do use deli meats, try and buy the Applegate version from Lindo's, as these are added-hormone, antibiotic and nitrate-free.Pasta salads (including peppers and whatever beans your kids will eat), mini-quiche or wholewheat ravioli with a little pasta sauce in a thermos are also good protein-rich options.Crackers: The plain, baked goldfish aren't too bad, but the flavoured versions contain forms of MSG which can aggravate headaches and hyperactivity. Instead, try the Annie's Bunny range of crackers, which are all natural but have great kid-friendly packaging.They have plain and cheesy versions, and a pretzel mix which goes down really well. Bunny crackers mixed with a few raisins and some cubes of cheese makes a really good snack. Add a few pumpkin seeds into the mix too if you can for a dose of brain-boosting essential fat!Popcorn/Pirate's Booty: For a healthy snack, try popping your own popcorn in olive or canola oil. The Pirate's Veggie Booty snack (green bag) is also fantastic. These are crunchy, puffy snacks, seasoned with a vegetable powder. I can guarantee you it's the only way you will get kale into a toddler's mouth!Whilst many of the kids' savory snacks are heavy on the sodium, popping your own corn, or Pirate's Booty both have relatively low sodium content. Pirate's Booty comes in a really big, fun-looking bag, so you will need to put a smaller portion into a container for a snack.Fruit snacks: Beware of the Welch's fruit snacks which are loaded with artificial colourings. All “fruit snack” options are heavy on the sugar, but if you do go down this route, at least choose the Annie's Bunny version (Lindo's Devonshire) that is free from artificial anything! Fresh fruit is always best, but if your child is a fan of dried fruit, try the Ella's Organic Pack O' Snacks which are triangular-shaped bags of dried fruit that are really appealing to kids.Yoghurts: Although Dora and Sponge Bob both have their own line of yoghurts, try to avoid them on a regular basis. They tend to be higher in sugar than the more natural versions, although sometimes, the smaller serving sizes can actually make them lower in sugar. However, if possible, try and choose organic dairy for your kids as you then avoid added hormones and antibiotics courtesy of the food chain. The organic Stonyfield farm yoghurts are all great, and the squeezy yoghurt straws are especially appealing to kids.Squeezy smoothies: Most kids love the squeezy fruit pouches. If yours are a fan, try choosing the organic Ella's Kitchen version over the Fruit Buddy version.You can choose small fruit-only options, or slightly larger pouches that also include a hidden vegetable. The sweet potato, pumpkin, apple and blueberry one is especially good.So what should I be packing in my child's lunch box?I get asked this question all the time. Here's an outline for you!Main item: sandwiches, pasta salad, hot thermos option (hearty soup, ravioli) or quicheWith-lunch fruit: whole fruit or a fresh fruit salad.With-lunch veggie: if not included in the main item, try including carrot/cucumber/pepper sticks or baby tomatoes.With-lunch extra: cheese, yoghurt, apple sauce, crackers.Snacks (choose one or two depending on the format of the day): popcorn, Pirate's Veggie Booty, crackers alone or crackers/cheese/raisins mix, fresh fruit, squeezy smoothie, hummus and veggie sticks, wholegrain sandwich, edamame.The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns. Catherine Burns BA Hons, Dip ION is a fully qualified nutritional therapist trained by the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in the UK. Please note that she is not a registered dietitian. She can be contacted at nourishbda[AT]gmail.com