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PARENTS are struggling to ensure their kids are eating well, the latest private sector research shows.
But there are ways to get around the growing problem.
That's the view of Port Macquarie dietician Peter Clark, who says it could be as simple as "doing things differently".
"A lot of kids aren't keen on their vegetables," Dr Clark said. "But it's a matter of trying to expose them to a variety of foods in a lot of different ways."
Whether it be by masking grated carrot in spaghetti bolognaise or cutting veggies into more tantalising shapes, difference is key, he said, when it comes to keeping kids interested.
According to a survey of NSW mothers, 75 per cent battled to bargain with their children when it came to healthy choices.
Two-in-three mums said it was a challenge at least once a week, a quarter of mums had problems most days and one in 10 found it was a daily struggle, the Wonder White data showed.
It comes soon after the Port News revealed some school canteens in the Hastings were struggling to meet nutrition guidelines, but many parents were making a concerted effort to feed their children well.
"Parents aren't deliberately trying to harm their children," Dr Clark said. "But just because a child says no to a carrot, doesn't mean we can't try get them to eat it again later. Our taste buds do change over time."
Kids need to try a certain food at least 10 times, he said, before they realise if they like it or not.
For those particularly stubborn children, outsmarting the youngsters may be a parent's best bet.
For many mums, this has been a proven way to add nutritional variety.
According to the study, almost one in five Aussie mums said they hide healthy items in other foods.
While 14 per cent resorted to offering a reward for good eating behaviour.
Research shows children and young people are consuming almost a third of their energy intake in the form of biscuits, cakes, sweet and savoury pastries, soft drinks, confectionery and crisps.
But Dr Clark said it's of utmost importance that children are getting the nutrition they need.
"It's critical for brain development, for muscle growth and bone development," he said. "They need protein from meat and calcium from drinking milk and eating yogurt, they need iron from green veggies and they need plenty of water."
What should be included in a lunchbox?
- At least two pieces of fruit
- At least one serve of vegetables
- At least one serve of dairy
- At least three to four serves breads/cereal based foods
- Half to one serve of meat/fish/chicken or meat alternative
- Drink bottle of water
Snacks best left out?
- Biscuits and chips: oven baked savoury biscuits, sweet cream or chocolate biscuits, chocolate coated biscuits, potato or corn chips
- Muffins and cakes: Donuts, commercial baked breads (banana bread/apple raspberry bread) cakes (including iced cakes and cup cakes)
- Muesli or Breakfast Bars: Rollups, fruit straps or rolls, processed fruit sticks and bars
Best choice snacks?
- Biscuits and dips: Try vita-weats, water crackers, cruskets, rice cakes and rice wheels, light Philadelphia cream cheese, low fat hummus or yoghurt based dips.
- Muffins and cakes: Try making your own vegetable (zucchini, carrot, pumpkin) or fruit (sultana, banana, apple) based muffins
- Muesli or breakfast bars: Try Fontelle Fibre Fix Bars, Uncle Toby's Bodywise Bars or Uncle Toby's Original
Source: Doctor Peter Clark Accredited Practicing Dietician