By Annabel Karmel - Author of SuperFoods For Babies and Children

- The first thing to do when trying to help your child overcome fussy eating habits is to only buy the foods that you want your child to eat. You should also set an example by eating the right foods yourself.

- If your child doesn't like eating vegetables, try to disguise them by blending them into a tomato sauce for pasta or adding vegetables to a pizza topping. Also, many children who don't like eating cooked vegetables do like eating them raw, so give carrot sticks, cucumber, bell pepper, etc., with a tasty dip.

- Red meat is good for children, as it provides the best source of iron. It is often the texture rather than the taste of meat that children object to. To make meat easier to chew, cook ground meat and puree it in a food processor for a few seconds and then make it into dishes like spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne, or shepherd's pie.

- Many children have a poor appetite at mealtimes because they have so many between-meal snacks that they never feel truly hungry. Cut out empty calories such as chips, cookies, and soft drinks and replace them with snacks that are nutritious, such as fresh fruit, cheese, and raw vegetables.

- Don't put too much food on your child's plate. Try to make food look attractive and fun -- simple things like serving half a kiwifruit in an egg cup or cutting sandwiches into shapes using cookie cutters can do the trick.

- Make mealtimes into an occasion; children who eat sitting at the table with other people are more likely to eat well and be less fussy. Avoid distractions like television at mealtimes.

- If your child refuses to eat, simply remove his plate and offer nothing until the next mealtime.

Author
Annabel Karmel is the mother of three children, a bestselling author of books on nutrition and cooking for babies and toddlers, and a familiar face on British television. Annabel travels frequently to the United States, where her books on feeding babies and young children are very popular. She has appeared on many TV programs, including the Today show and The Early Show. Please visit her website at www.annabelkarmel.com.