Now we?re in full swing of 2008, and well set into winter, life for most will be back to normal, which for busy mums can mean the return of hectic school runs and last minute dashes to the supermarket. With all the chaos of everyday life, healthy eating may not be high up on the list of priorities, especially during winter when the most tempting foods can often be the most indulgent. So just how can you make it as normal a part of life, and with minimum effort from you, and no fuss form the kids? Here are some tips from some mums, including ex-Eastenders? star Patsy Palmer.
?To make sure your kids eat plenty of fruit during winter, try making some colourful fruit kebabs. Chop up pieces of tasty fruit, such as melon, pineapple and grapes, place them on wooden kebab sticks, and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. To save you time, ask your kids to give you a hand.?
Sarah Young, 29 from Leeds
?Brussel sprouts are not only for Christmas and are really nutritious, but not many children like them when they?re boiled. I encourage my kids to eat them by chopping them up and shallow frying them in butter with a pinch of garlic, and maybe a little onion. Now my son loves them!?
Sarah Walker, 25 from Orpington
To make sure your kids eat their veg, try mixing it into a tasty mashed potato or bubble and squeak. My kids love it, and makes sure they carry on getting their five-a-day throughout winter.?
Joanne Bell, 33 from Yorkshire
“For a tasty, winter breakfast, try adding a handful of brightly coloured berries to your kid?s cereal, such as blackberries or blueberries. You can buy berries frozen and they can easily be defrosted to count towards your five-a-day.?
Sarah Young, 29 from Leeds
?For a tasty desert or breakfast, mix chopped fruit, fresh or tinned and add to a helping of natural flavoured yoghurt.?
Joe Monks, 31 from Wandsworth
?Prunes wrapped in bacon and cooked in the oven are a delicious winter treat. Use prunes with stones already removed, wrap strips of bacon around them and pop in the oven until bacon is fully cooked. They?re sweet, really tasty and nutritious, and my kids don?t even notice they?re prunes.??
Patsy Palmer
“For a sweet winter treat, I melt a small amount of chocolate and place it in a bowl in the middle of the kitchen table. Then, I serve my kids with bite-sized pieces of fruit such as orange, pineapple, banana or strawberries, and let them dip it into the chocolate ? delicious and nutritious.?
Donna Heaton, 31 from Rotherham
“Sprinkle coconut on top of tinned peaches or pears for dessert. It looks like snow ? very wintery.?
Alison Petch, 44 from Newcastle
?Leave small pots of mixed dried fruit around the house as kids love picking, and they look nice, too.?
Patsy Palmer
?I like making a winter compote by stewing my kids? favourite berries together with plums, apples and a small sprinkle of cinnamon. This is a delicious, warming dessert when served with a dollop of natural or fruit yoghurt. If you don?t have the fresh ingredients, then try using tinned or frozen fruit, which is just as good.?
Gemma Sawyer, 27 from Guilford
?Try blending some frozen fruit together to make a delicious breakfast fruit smoothie for all the family ? a great, healthy way to start the New Year.?
Donna Heaton, 31 from Rotherham
?This time of year is great for making home made soup packed full of lots of nutritious veggies. It can be a quick and easy lunch option, and a great way to warm the kids up in the cold weather.?
Michelle Stewart, 36 from Doncaster
For more tips on how to get five a day, visit www.nhs.uk/5aday