If your children hate vegetables, try offering them raw (especially carrots), or replacing vegetables with fruit juice (not fruit drinks).

Never use food as a substitute for time and attention, or to pacify a tired, cranky child. Watch your own food habits. Children learn by example and their future eating habits will be largely determined by how your child sees food being used.

Children like simple foods that they can see and that they know, without sauces and not highly seasoned. Never salt your child's food.

Finger foods are most readily accepted because the child can handle them him or herself.

Make meal times pleasant and enjoyable. Never fight over food not eaten.

Don't use food as a reward for good behaviour or as a punishment for bad.

Let older children help prepare their own school lunches and snacks; they are more likely to eat them. Oven bake chicken nuggets, chips, waffles and other foods rather than deep-fat frying. Choose processed foods that are lowest in fat.

Healthy Snacks

Mashed banana on toasted scones. Chopped tinned or fresh fruit. Low-fat cheese slices with crackers. Potato waffles with grated cheese. Raw vegetables in little sticks and a savoury dip. Low-fat cheese cubes. Popcorn. Toast fingers with mashed egg. Chocolate milk. Cold chicken drumsticks. Little packets of raisins. A variety of breads. Home-made muffins. Toast with butter and jam. Baked potato with cheese or beans.