A tidal wave of emotion sweeps across the country now as the "little darlings" prepare to head back to school. Among the parental concerns is whether or not the little darlings' little bellies will be filled with nutritious, healthful lunches.

The answer depends pretty much on what eating habits have been instilled in the child, according to Beth Foland, an Indianapolis, Ind., dietician with the American Diatetic Association.

She also cautions parents not to over-react so that they are manipulated by their child. "Be firm," she said. "If you say the child should eat fish and he doesn't, and 30 minutes later he is hungry and wants a peanut butter sandwich and you give it to him because you feel that he should eat something, then you are being manipulated to the detriment of the child."