A healthy diet can help students excel in school, a registered dietitian says. One of the best ways to jump-start a successful school day is to provide children with a nutritious morning meal, says Debby Boutwell, a clinical dietitian in the division of nutrition therapy at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

This doesn’t necessarily mean serving traditional breakfast foods, however. For school children, Boutwell recommends a breakfast that includes high-fiber grains, fruit and dairy products. Here are some options:

Fiber rich and whole-grain cereals with low fat milk
Yogurt and berries
Toast, eggs and 100 percent fruit juice
Whole-wheat bagels and cheese or eggs with low-fat milk
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with low-fat milk
Grilled cheese sandwich with 100 percent fruit juice

Among other lunchtime tips for school children:

• Mix it up. Variety is good. For example, avoid packing the same type of bread every day and make sandwiches using pitas, bagels, crackers or tortillas.
• Simplify things. Provide children with fruits that are easy to pick up and eat, such as apple wedges, grapes or strawberries. Packing a yogurt or peanut butter dipping sauce can also be fun for kids.
• Limit sugary drinks. Even 100 percent juice contains a lot of sugar. Opt for low-fat milk, water or sugar-free flavored water. Don’t give children drinks with caffeine or herbal supplements.
• Review the school lunch menu. Even children who bring their lunch to school can buy a cheese stick or milk at school to ensure it’s fresh and cold. Parents should check their child’s school lunch menu to review what is being served.