Planned mealtimes make for happier kids

Your growing children depend on you for establishing and maintaining healthy eating habits and routines. When creating an eating routine, set a time for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Once you have a routine for meals and snacks, mealtimes are more relaxed. Most children are happier on a schedule and become hungry at regular times. You'll feel better and more relaxed about mealtimes when the family has a set routine.

Be consistent. Much like a bedtime routine, children need a mealtime routine.

Plan for three meals and two snacks each day. Serve a vegetable or fruit at every meal. Fruits...