Curtis Stone has a very simple lunch box trick

It's the battle that defines the school year: how to get your kids to eat what's in their lunch boxes without either bringing it home again a mess, tossing it away, or trading it for something else.

As the school year starts, parents brace themselves, strapping on metaphorical shin pads and seeking inspiration everywhere from the supermarket shelves to Pinterest.

Do you get creative? Do you try to outdo yourself? Do you simply pack a Vegemite sandwich and concede the battle is over before it's even started? Or do you just get the kids to make it themselves?

READ MORE: We need to talk about kitchen anxiety

The best advice I ever had was from a nutritionist who said kids won't starve themselves unless there is something else going on.

The usual day-to-day battle of the lunchbox we're faced with as parents is one of distraction. There's a lot going on at school, from games and activities to social group politics, so it's no wonder kids put lunch to one side and go in pursuit of other things.

It's perfectly okay for your kids not to eat lunch when they are distracted; give it your best shot as a parent, and don't beat yourself up if lunch didn't go to plan. Just make sure there's plenty on offer for the kids at home too, when there are fewer things vying for their attention, or you can guide them back to eating a full meal.

Curtis Stone is no stranger to the lunch box battle. Celebrity chef he may be, but that doesn't mean his kids aren't as distracted as any others.

So, as a Coles ambassador he's shared some tricks and tips that parents can arm themselves with for the school year of lunches ahead.

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"I do it all the time," Stone laughs to 9Honey when asked if he packs lunches for his kids, admitting that any tips are always welcome.

"Variety is important for kids. The biggest complaint is that 'my kid will only eat a, b or c, and what they list is quite narrow. When it's already narrow and cuts thing out and they get the same thing on repeat, it can make it worse, then you're faced with having to try and reverse it.

"So, keep a lot of variety in there — even if it's variations on the same thing that they do know and like. Think about it, there's 10 things can make sandwich; a roll, wrap, tortilla, bread of any type, and that can be the variety. That's important. It shows kids that this is normal, different food is normal."

Stone is a huge fan of the bento-style lunch boxes that give you small trays and pockets to fill.

READ MORE: 9Honey's very official lunch box snack ranking

"I like them because it's just little spots to fill and because there's less wrapping," he says, noting the environmental angle.

"It's great for dips with veggie sticks, and that's cool. Lots of colours help grab kids' attention and fresh fruits. Make it all as colourful as you can, because colour often means healthy, but don't kill yourself."

Stone jokes that you don't have to compete with Tiktok or Instagram as a parent packing lunches — permission to stop beating ourselves up right there — and he also believes there's a time and place for a packet here and there to make things easy.

"A packet is fine, a treat is good sometimes. It takes the stress out of it and that is part of the battle."

READ MORE: Curtis Stone's ultimate BBQ tips for Australia Day

Stone's parting tip is that while packets are fine as a sometimes item, he's a big fan of occasionally making something yourself, or with the kids too, for them to pack.

"Try making a bar or slice — I love making lemon slice — do that once a week or once a fortnight and it's something the kids can be proud of an show off, where they can say 'I made this' or 'my dad made this'," he says.

With that sage advice from the man who knows, we wish you all the best of luck for the term ahead and the lunchboxes it holds.