ABSTRACT
As studies have shown, children's expectations at mealtimes are not that high and they are happy to eat healthy foods if they are familiar. They are expecting a meal, not an all-singing, all-dancing food extravaganza. Fruit and vegetables can be fresh, cooked, tinned or frozen, and starchy things include cereals, breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, noodles and couscous. The Food Frequency Framework shows how to decide which foods are suitable for everyday meals, which are better kept for once-weekly enjoyment and which are best reserved for special occasions or times when food is the centre of the feast. Home-made family favourites such as shepherd's pie can be made very healthy by using lean minced meat or by skimming off fat when the mince is first fried, before adding further ingredients. Sugary foods are a normal part of most people's diets. Sugar-buzz foods have a very high sugar content and indeed some are almost entirely sugar, with added colours and flavourings.
