Dealing with teens and their food

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Just about every parent has food battles with their kids. Here's how to encourage yours to eat health-boosting foods.

* Teens can be a real problem with increasing numbers of girls, and boys too, developing eating disorders and becoming obsessed with their weight. If you've fed them sensibly till now and they're reasonably active, the risks of this happening are minimal.

Don't let your own obsession with diet affect your children's attitude to food.
Teenagers like to graze so keep a cold roast chicken in the fridge for instant nibbles.
Porridge or muesli for breakfast gives them a whole morning's slow release energy.
Dried fruit, nuts and sunflower seeds provide instant healthy energy at any time of the day.
Don't put junk foods in of your fridge and store cupboard. If they're not there they won't be snacking on crisps, biscuits or chocolate covered cereals.
At this age most will enjoy Italian, Indian and Chinese food or a good healthy vegetarian pizza. But left to eat on their own they'll end up with unhealthy finger food in front of the computer or TV; another reason for family meals wherever possible.