Ireally want to start 2008 the way I mean to go on as far as my children's eating habits are concerned (they are 4 and 6 years old) but how can I get them to eat the foods I know that are good for them?

The most effective thing you can do to improve your children's eating habits is to lead by example. Children learn far more from what you ‛do' than what you ‛say'. So start by brushing up your own nutritional habits as much as possible.

Secondly, focus on helping your children to build an appetite by getting them active, encouraging exercise wherever possible(preferably outdoors with plenty of fresh air) and, if your children routinely refuse food at meal times, cut right back on snacks between meals. Instead, keep a well stocked fruit bowl within their reach and let them know that after meal times, if they are still hungry they can snack on that.

Praise healthy choices and avoid nagging or chastising children about unhealthy choices. When children choose unhealthy food, ignore it or better still try re-directing their choice to a healthier alternative. For example, if they love chips swap deep fried versions for potato wedges par boiled and roasted with a little olive oil instead, swap sweets for fruit dipped in chocolate sauce and replace high sugar, fizzy drinks for fruit juices mixed with sparkling water.

Whenever possible, sit down and eat around a table as a family. Research shows that children who eat dinners at the table with their parents have much better nutrition both as children and as adults and get your children involved in the making and preparing of their meals too. You'll be amazed how much more inclined a child is to eat foods that they have made themselves.