1. Food should be fun – Try lots of different types of healthy food each week to build a variety that they will enjoy. Cut fruit into funny shapes to make the kids realise that they can laugh and enjoy the practice of cooking and preparing healthy snacks.

 

  1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – Energy levels become depleted after sleep so when the kids are off to school they need to begin their day with plenty of carbohydrates to keep them going till lunch time. Toast, cereal, fruit and yogurt are all healthy and easy options at that busy time in the morning.

 

  1. Our bodies need over 40 different vitamins and minerals on a daily basis – Eating a variety of meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables and some essential fats are all required to keep our bodies healthy and mobile. Read recipe books together, watch food programmes, engaging in food activities with your children will keep it fun for everyone.

 

  1. Thrive on Five – Make the supermarket shopping fun and try five different types of fruit and vegetables each time you do your weekly shop. It’s an educational way of bringing in new foods to the household larder and will maintain the interest in cooking and experimenting with new foods.

 

  1. Drink plenty of liquids – more than half our body weight is water, we need at least 5 glasses of liquid a day and more after exercise and in excessive heat.

 

  1. Take care of your teeth – brush your teeth at least twice a day, eating foods that are high in sugar can lead to tooth decay.

 

  1. Be active every day – whether it’s riding your bike to school, swimming, running around the beach or park, keep active. These are all cheap and energising activities that will not only help with the essential hours of sleep needed to keep the body motivated and the brain powered but are fun to boot. Exercise is fun, so bring in a number of weekly activities that will keep the whole family fit and healthy.