Just click on a question to find the answer you need.
How can I ensure that my family and I regularly get to eat 5 a day? Question by Jane from Watford (2 boys and a girl)
Write a weekly menu plan, this will help you to avoid having to make decisions about what to eat the end of the day when you’re more likely to be tired and vulnerable to making poor choices. Make menu planning a family affair, take 15mins to sit down with the kids at the weekend and write a menu for the coming week. Getting kids involved is a good way to teach them about healthy eating and choosing a balanced diet
- Fiona Hunter
How important is breakfast really? Question by Natalie from Newcastle (1 boy aged 6)
What you eat at breakfast can affect your mood, your ability to concentrate during the morning and what you eat throughout the rest of the day. Miss breakfast and you're missing out on the opportunity to boost your intake of several important vitamins and minerals. Studies show that people who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight and are less likely to suffer from colds and ‘flu.
- Fiona Hunter
How much is the 'My Dolmio' range? Both the pasta and the pasta sauces have been priced the same – 'My Dolmio' pasta (200g) and 'My Dolmio' pasta sauce (150g) pouches have a recommended retail price of £1.15.
Five a day just confuses me. Can you help? Question by Emma from Dover (2 girls aged 8 & 10)
When you’re planning meals aim to fill your plate with colour – think of the colours in a rainbow and try to eat at least one serving of fruit or vegetables from each of the colour bands each day. Different fruit and veg contain things that help us stay healthy in different ways which is why it’s important to eat a variety. Rather than sticking to the same old favourites that you buy week in week out, be adventurous and try something new. Look for recipes and ideas for new ways of cooking fruit or vegetables – try poaching, baking or grilling fruits as an alternative to eating them raw
- Fiona Hunter
My friends family always sit down together at the dinner table. Is this
important?
Question by Helen from Cardiff (3 boys aged 6, 9 and 14)
Family meals provide much more than the opportunity to fill hungry tummies – they provide the chance for families to talk. Research shows that children who regularly eat with their families are more likely to eat a healthier diet – studies show they tend to have a higher intake of key vitamins and minerals, eat less saturated fat and a more vegetables than children who rarely sit down to eat as a family.
- Fiona Hunter
How much time should my children be allowed to play video games or watch TV?
Question by Juliet from Doncaster (1 boy, 7 and 1 girl, 9)
Family meals provide much more than the opportunity to fill hungry tummies – they provide the chance for families to talk. Research shows that children who regularly eat with their families are more likely to eat a healthier diet – studies show they tend to have a higher intake of key vitamins and minerals, eat less saturated fat and a more vegetables than children who rarely sit down to eat as a family.
- Nicki Waterman
My boys just want to sit indoors all day. How can I get them outside and active?
Question by Sarah from Sunderland (2 boys, 7 & 9)
It's all about positive encouragement. If you want your child to play sports, be there on the sidelines to cheer them on. That means showing lots of energy and enthusiasm, especially at the beginning of the activity, even if you would rather plop down in front of the television yourself. For example, when asking your child to join you for a walk or a game of football say, "Come on, get your shoes on. I've already got mine on, let’s go.”
- Nicki Waterman
I have trouble getting my girls to exercise. Can you suggest anything?
Question by Amy from Nottingham (3 girls, 5,7 & 8½)
Ask your child to perform chores that require physical activity but that are still fun. For example, washing a car, gardening, or raking leaves will get their hearts pumping. Keep it fun by having a water fight after cleaning the car or having a race to see who can make the biggest heap of leaves. Then jump in the winning pile. Though the chore may end up taking twice as long to complete, the results will be worth it.
- Nicki Waterman
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