by Jane Hendry

Created on: July 30, 2009   Last Updated: August 02, 2009

Most of us spend a great deal of time thinking about food, and one question that plays a lot on the minds of parents of young children is: how am I going to get my child to eat healthily? Nutrition is vital to the healthy development of young children; their bones, muscles and brain absorb nutrients at an amazing rate to keep up with the growth and development that is taking place. Yet it is not always easy to get them to eat their vegetables. So what can we do in this fast paced, time deficient age, in order to ensure our precious children are getting the nutrients they need to ensure a healthy future?

Make Time for Breakfast

The first, and perhaps most important rule to remember, is that breakfast is imperative for a healthy start to the day. Making sure that your child eats a nutritious breakfast will ensure that they are able to cope mentally as well as emotionally with the day ahead.

For older children, stick to options such as sugar-free cereals with milk; drizzle a little honey over the top rather than offering sugary cereals or adding sugar. Though breakfast is very important, children often have to leave home very early for pre-school, long before they have worked up an appetite, so make sure you pack those all important breakfast options to go. Or alternatively, a fruit smoothie, made from fresh fruit and a little fresh fruit juice, is a great drink if it is too early for breakfast. For a great, healthy morning smoothie try this recipe:

Mango and Banana Smoothie

1 Mango, peeled, pitted and roughly chopped

1 banana, peeled and sliced

Half a cup fresh 100% orange juice

50ml crushed ice

Add all the ingredients together and blend. Choose different fruits each day for variety, or substitute the fruit juice and ice for a fruit flavoured or plain yogurt to add a bit more substance.

Children who resist eating what is provided at breakfast must be offered healthy alternatives. If your child demands Coco Pops instead of what you have made for them, tell them firmly that if they don't want what is on offer, they can have a banana or an apple. When they are hungry they will eat! Other interesting and nutritious alternatives such as baked beans on whole wheat toast or a hard boiled egg may even become a firm favourite.

Battle of Wills

A common area for a battle of wills is over food. Children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years have the major developmental task of becoming toilet trained and of gaining control over their bodily functions. According

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