Next week, most Illinois school children will be headed back to class and a University of Illinois Extension nutrition educator has some tips to make keeping our kids fed easier.

Caitlin Mellendorf at the Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties indicates the grocery store is going to have a lot of items we should consider that will make packing lunches easier - if that is something families choose to do.

The 'My PAlate' is the latest version of the meal planning recommendations. Mellendorf says the 'my plate' simplifies what all we need to have in a meal and gives us some variety to work with.

According to Mellendorf, if your kids are going to be eating the lunch provided by the school, rest assured, those meals are going to be healthy and have to fall into certain guidelines.

Mellendorf explains there's a trendy meal prep that takes foods and cuts them into snack portions. She says this can make things quick and easy for not only mom and dad but the child at school.

Extension.illinois.edu/food is the website for more on all things nutrition. Mellendorf recognizes meal planning during the school year can be hectic but encourages planning ahead and working with your children to find healthy things they will eat.