Avoiding peanut butter used to be the only concern for parents packing kids' school lunches.

Now the Listeria outbreak has not only taken some cold cuts off the shelves but for some people also placed suspicion over all deli meats -- a lunch mainstay.

While not all deli meats are subject to the Maple Leaf Foods Inc.'s recall (see What's Hot at thespec.com for the complete list), experts say Listeria isn't the only potential risk.

Commonly found in lunch and other processed meats such as hot dogs and sausages are high levels of sodium, saturated and trans fats, and nitrates, which have been linked to cancer risks.

We asked some local parents three questions about their lunch making:

1. What are you packing in your child's lunch Tuesday?

2. Are you concerned about deli meats?

3. What will you use as alternatives to cold meats?

Maxine Gittens, 43

1. For sure fruits, ham and cheese sandwiches and a granola bar.

2. The concern is always there.

3. I do a lot of pasta with vegetables and make my own sauce and they bring it to school in a Thermos.

Jane McAnally, 44

1. Probably a cheese sandwich.

2. I had no concerns about deli meat. Now I am worried. Because of the seriousness of the recall, we don't know what meat is safe or not.

3. I am going to send my boys with plain bagels or cheese buns.

Suzanne Russ, 50s

1. I am a teacher and ... I will be packing raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, peppers, broccoli and cauliflower, some fruit and dip and a granola bar.

2. My husband loves them. I still have no issue with them. I threw out the ones I had and am depending on stores to make sure they are safe.

3. I would suggest packing a pita with hummus.

Mark Walker, 47

1. We are packing chicken fingers and cherry tomatoes.

2. We never really ate a lot of deli meat (so) we're not too concerned.

3. We make homemade pizza on pita bread with tomato sauce and cheese.

Gord Hammer, 48

1. I am packing fruit, vegetables ... and making strawberry jam sandwiches.

2. We don't really eat a lot of deli meats.

3. Cook some chicken breasts or a ham and cut it into strips to give to children.

Mike and Laura Rossiter, 46 and 45

1. Probably a wrap with ham, lettuce and cucumber.

2. We don't eat a lot of deli meats but they are easy for school. We'll just stay away from Maple Leaf (products).

3. Egg salad, chicken salad or pizza buns with pepperoni, mozzarella and olives.

Here are more tips from Elisabeth de Mariaffi, author of Chickadee's Eat it Up! : Lip-smacking Recipes For Kids:

* Use leftovers and pack them in a Thermos. Refrigerated leftovers keep for up to three days.

* Make a soup in the slow cooker with broth, cut-up turkey or chicken and beans.

Let simmer and 20 minutes before serving, add sliced vegetables.

* Try a mini-box of whole-grain cereal, milk and a banana.

* A baked chicken drumstick and carrots and celery with dip.

* Homemade chicken salad sandwiches or lean-beef meatballs.

* Pack a make-your-own pizza with whole wheat pitas, tomato sauce and grated cheese.

* Sunflower seed butter mixed with honey on a sandwich.

cwhitwell@thespec.com

905-526-2452