How can you get your children to eat a balanced diet when they turn their noses up at everything you serve them?

Meal times are a crucial part of family life. Keep the atmosphere relaxed, eat together and if the food is there, they'll be tempted.

Make food fun
Manners and a balanced diet are important but don't make mealtimes an ordeal. Set a good example rather than nagging, and praise them when they behave well and eat without a fuss.

Notice what they like to eat, build a balanced diet around it and make sure there's always at least one dish on the table they'll enjoy. Don't make special food. If you know there's food on the table that they like, then you're sure that they've got something nutritional to eat. Preparing special dishes just encourages pickiness. Experiment with new tastes but be relaxed if they don't like them. Try again with whatever-it-is a few months later. Vegetables shouldn't mean just carrots and peas - try cold, blanched beans with chopped egg or couscous instead of potatoes.

Get them involved
Shop with your children. Ask what they want to eat but explain it has to fit into a budget. Buy a cookery book, involve them in simple tasks like laying the table and get them to help with the cooking. Show them how to cook easy dishes like an omelette or kebabs. Use ready roll puff pastry to make mini cheese pies.

What if they still won't eat?
There's probably a simple explanation - perhaps you're serving the meal too early? Have they filled up with crisps and sweets on the way home? Are they egging each other on?

If your children are concerned about 'getting fat', tackle the problem straight away. Make sure you don't label food 'good' or 'bad' and never pass on your hang-ups about weight. Counteract the idea that thin is beautiful by pointing out that photos of models and pop stars are touched up. Build up your child's self-esteem but watch out for symptoms of a serious problem.

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