These healthy kids meals to-go are the best fast food alternatives in metro Phoenix

The start of a new school year doesn’t just mean getting back into math, English and STEM. For most families, it signifies a sunrise to sundown operation that requires precise logistics to get from campus to the playing field and music lessons to the rehearsal stage.

Packed schedules can work up an appetite, one that fast-food joints promise to satiate with greasy grub and empty, energy-draining carbs that slow youngsters down rather than refuel them.

But there’s no need to settle for unhealthy options when you're on the go, as many Valley restaurants offer healthful, tasty kids meals on the fly.

All of these spots offer advance online ordering for extra efficiency and some even offer curbside pickup. All kids meals on this list feature a main, side and dessert. Most also include a drink.

Flower Child

Fox Restaurant Concepts’ healthy fast-casual eatery offers a kids meal ($7.50) that pairs a protein, such as steak, chicken or tofu, with two sides. Choices include: Broccoli with Parmesan; smashed potatoes; corn and quinoa; gluten-free mac and cheese and clementine and watermelon.

Details: Uptown Plaza, 100 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-212-0180. Other locations at iamaflowerchild.com.

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Someburros

Choose from four kids meals ($5.65) that come with a taco, two chicken or beef taquitos, a bean burrito or mini quesadilla. No matter the choice, they all come with refried beans or rice, a drink and a churro.

Details: 7501 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-443-8226. Other locations at someburros.com.

Cafe Zupas

Let them build their own adventure with a combo ($6.19) that comes with a choice of two of the following: Tillamook grilled cheese, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, tomato basil pasta, fruit cup, raw veggie cup and soup. Meals include a drink and a chocolate-dipped strawberry.

Details: 3877 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-465-5004. Other locations at cafezupas.com.

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Tokyo Joe’s

Kids can build their own bento box ($6.75) at this fast-casual chain. Start with white or dark meat chicken or tenders, tofu or steak and build around it with one or two sauces such as teriyaki, yellow or green curry, peanut or yakitori. Choose white or brown rice or noodles to soak everything up. Finally, select edamame, Japanese cucumber salad or a veggie mix as the side and mandarin orange, strawberries, pineapple or a cookie for the sweet ending. A drink is included.

Details: 1935 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa. 480-892-2993. Other locations at tokyojoes.com.

Mad Greens

The Kids Awesome Box ($5.50) aims to please with sides of pasta, edamame, apples and carrot sticks with ranch dip that accompany a grilled chicken, southwestern chicken, piri piri organic tofu or quinoa main. Or, they can build their own bowl with the Mini Me ($5.50) that starts with their choice of romaine, spinach, kale, mixed greens or wild rice blend topped with three add-ons such as apples, roasted beets, celery, chickpeas, blue cheese, croutons, egg, tofu, quinoa, pumpkin seeds or walnuts. Balsamic, honey mustard, citrus hoisin and ranch are among the dressings that can be mixed in or stay on the side and apples, pears, craisins or mango are fruit cup options. Both meals come with apple juice, chocolate milk or regular milk.

Details: 1940 S. Val Vista Road, Mesa. 623-215-0622. Other locations at madgreens.com.

Wildflower Bread Company

An array of kids meals ($6.69) means there’s something for everybody or every mood. All come with milk or soda, fresh fruit and a cookie. Choose from a sandwich, salad or pasta. Turkey and brie, almond tuna, BLT, buffalo chicken and roasted sweet potato are among the dozen sandwich options. Other entree options include: meatballs and marinara; three cheese ravioli; chopped salad; Asian salad and strawberry spinach salad. Breakfast options are offered Monday to Friday until 10:30 a.m. and until 2 p.m. on the weekends and feature pancakes with butter and syrup.

Details: 1380 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. 623-935-1131. Other locations at wildflowerbread.com.

Pita Jungle

A four-course kids meal ($6.89) includes their choice of turkey, chicken, tofu, hummus or lentils as the main course along with vegetable options like cucumber, carrots, steamed broccoli and spinach and a carb side like brown rice, pita, mac and cheese or garlic potatoes. A fruit cup rounds it out. The meal comes with a choice of soft drink, lemonade or water.

Details: 7530 W. Bell Road, Glendale. 623-486-2615. Other locations at pitajungle.com.

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Choose a ham and cheese, grilled cheese or PB and J sandwich or a green salad as the main for the kids combo ($6.99) that includes applesauce or chips; soda, milk or juice and a frosted cookie.

Details: 14183 W. Bell Road, Surprise. 480-289-2450. Other locations at kneaders.com.

Miracle Mile Deli

The kids menu ($7.50) features entree choices of chicken tenders, kosher beef hotdog, PB and J, grilled cheese or mac and cheese. All come with fries, a drink, kosher dill pickle, cookie and a prize.

Details: 4433 N.16th St. Phoenix. 602-776-0992, miraclemiledeli.com.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Turkey and Swiss or ham and Swiss sammies can be customized with a non-Swiss cheese like cheddar or provolone and dressed up with a combo of 10 different toppings including mayo, pickle, mustard, lettuce, tomato and Italian seasoning. If they wish, their white or multigrain bread can be cut thin with the middle scooped out. There’s also a more straightforward mac and cheese option. All combos ($5.49) come with bottled water, apple sauce and mini oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.

Details: 3121 W. Peoria Ave., Phoenix. Other locations at potbelly.com.

Salad and Go

Need something noshable, but less filling than a full meal to give them a boost before the game without ruining their appetites for dinner? The Kid Protein Box ($3.99) is the answer. Start with a choice of tofu, egg, grilled chicken or buffalo chicken. Then ponder two-dozen choices such as avocado, nitrate-free bacon, a variety of cheeses, cucumber, tortilla strips, sweet potato, carrots and corn. Balsamic, ranch, pesto, Caesar and creamy Greek are among the dressing options.

Details: 710 E. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix. Other locations at saladandgo.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The healthiest fast food kids meals in Phoenix for back to school rush