The time-honored tradition of breakfast, lunch, and dinner seems the best way to ensure a balanced diet, but the fact is that we may not need three meals a day. A better solution for some families may be more frequent, lighter meals. And it really isn't a matter of life and death if a family member misses dinner. No child ever starved to death because he was playing softball and forgot to come home for dinner. Common sense, flexibility, and creativity go a long way to make the evening meat pleasant.

• Let the youngsters serve themselves In this way they can decide how much to put on their plates and can always take a second helping if they want it.
• Children should be expected to taste every dish that's been prepared. If they don't like it, they don't have to eat any more but it's an excellent way to expand their food horizons.
• Make food look attractive and interesting. One mother cuts liver into bite-sized pieces and sticks toothpicks in each piece. Her children eat the pieces lollipop-style with a great degree of gusto!
  Involve your youngsters in the family menu. Let them suggest foods, familiar and unfamiliar, although some of their choices may need to be discussed in terms of whether or not they fit into the family budget.
• Occasionally take your children to the grocery store. (Be sure to feed them and yourself before you go or your food bill will soar!) It's a good place to give them choices. ("Do you want broiled chicken or fish for dinner? Peas or green beans? " "Pick out some fruit for your lunches this week") What you don't buy is as important as what you do buy. If you don't buy potato chips and sodas, your youngsters won't be able to snack on them.
• Turn off the television set. Make the dinner table a place for good conversation.

Most of the foods served in fast food restaurants have fat as their main source of calories. Even milk shakes are often nude with highly saturated coconut oil. In addition, their foods are usually low in iron, fiber, and vitamins, and extremely high in sodium. Unfortunately, youngsters are exposed to virtually thousands of junk food television commercials a year, and parents might as well accept the fact that occasionally their children are going to head for a fast food restaurant. However, they'll survive, especially if their daily diet is nutritious.

Nutrition Information from The American Council on Science and Health

American Council on Science and Health

Useful Books From Amazon.com

American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Nutrition : Making Peace at the Table and Building Healthy Eating Habits for Life

Feeding Your Child for Lifelong Health

All Shapes and Sizes : Parenting Your Overweight Child

Carbohydrate-Addicted Kids : Help Your Child or Teen Break Free of Junk Food and Sugar Cravings-For Life!

next: Sleep Issues of Kids & Teens