taking a lunch from home? My son is five, starting kindergarten next month.

When I was in elementary school, "hot lunch" consisted of pizza -- and it must be mentioned that the main topping on the pizza was a thick layer of grease -- mashed potatoes and gravy, a roll, jello, and a cookie.

Nuh-uh.

Is that pretty much what I can expect these days?

My son loves taking sack lunch with him to preschool on field trip days, and he actually likes things like salad, low-fat wraps and fresh fruit.

What do you think? Should I go the "hot lunch" way, the sack lunch way, or a combo of both?

If you have a child in elementary school, please tell me what you do, as well.

I am in elementary school. The lunches can be unhealthy, but some choices aren't. They serve veggies and fruit. Sometimes cottage cheese. Just let him try it. If he likes it let him stick with it. But sometimes let him bring a lunch from home. Variety is what saved the cat from curiosity.

sac lunch all the way, every day. If you let your kid have the junk food, he will get hooked on it. If he likes healthy stuff, feed him that.