That pack of Lunchables is so tempting: It’s a full-meal deal, on sale — buy two for $6.

Yet you hesitate, knowing there must be more to lunch than masterfully marketed cracker packs.

“They’re easy, but not the most nutritious,” says Katie Wolff, a dietitian and mom. The eye-catching yellow lunch boxes are packed with preservatives and sodium, she adds.

But we know you’re busy. So we did the homework for you: We asked the experts for tips on how to pack a sack lunch that is easy, fun — and healthy.

Tip No. 1: Avoid white breads and flours, which are made from simple carbohydrates that are broken down too quickly to provide lasting energy.

“You get this big rush of sugar and then it goes away quickly,” says Dr. Ryan Moultray, a Selah family physician and father of two.

Eating too many simple sugars causes insulin resistance that leads to diabetes, Moultray warns. Whole grains provide more sustainable energy.

To keep sandwiches from becoming boring, vary the bread offerings: Sliced bread, pita pockets, dinner rolls, tortillas.

“Wraps (using whole wheat tortillas) are kind of fun,” Moultray suggests. “You can even make a peanut butter sandwich that way.”

Kids also seem to think sandwiches taste better if you cut them into fun shapes: Try diamonds, triangles or use a cookie cutter.

Tip No. 2: Include fresh fruits and vegetables.
Whole or sliced apples, oranges and bananas are noon-hour staples. Kids also enjoy berries or sliced melon, packed in reusable containers.

For easy veggies, try baby carrots, sugar snap peas or celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter.

Some kids like salads. Try a chef salad with deli meats and cheese.

Moultray suggests a pita sandwich stuffed with veggies and hummus, a paste made from chickpeas that can be used as a dip or spread. It’s high in fiber and iron. “The hummus tastes really good, so you can hide vegetables in there and it doesn’t seem as scary,” he says.

Tip No. 3: Skip the chips.
Pretzels, non-buttered popcorn and trail mix (without candy) are better choices.

Choose granola bars with caution; some brands have as much sugar as candy bars. “Trail mix is the same idea, but you’re not plastering it together” with sugar, says Moultray.

Tip No. 4: Limit sugary drinks. “Especially if kids are battling their weight, fruit juice probably isn’t the best choice,” says Wolff.

Because fruit juice contains lots of calories without the fiber to fill you up, drinking water and eating a piece of fruit is a better choice, she says.

Of course, even the best advice is often easier said than done. If you do offer juice, make sure it’s 100 percent fruit juice without extra sweeteners, Wolff says.

She treats her son’s sweet tooth with fortified chocolate milk, compromising a little sugar for the extra calcium.

What about low-cal, artificially sweetened drinks? The jury’s still out on whether they’re safe for kids, says Moultray. However, he adds: “If they’re not going to drink water, you’re going to have to find a compromise. In general, avoiding processed foods is better.”