Want them to eat up and get a bit a bit of goodness in them at the same time? Look no further than our list of simple swapping ideas.
Simple meal swaps to try at home
Sweeties swap
Are they bouncing off the walls with sweeties and chocolate? Try swapping it out for frozen grapes (sliced lengthways), colourful fruit salads with smiley faces they can make themselves, or even making some of our yummy desserts together.
Crisp swap
Swap normal crisps for baked crisps, plain popcorn or multigrain snacks.
Cereal swap
Choose porridge for breakfast instead of sugary cereals. You could even add some fruit.
Potato swap
Ditch the chips and have mashed potato or low fat potato wedges instead.
Ice cream swap
Mash a banana up and freeze it. It’s a healthy alternative to ice cream.
Drinks swap
Change calorie filled drinks for water. No calories, no sugar - just pure, refreshing goodness. Best of all it's free! Water (or milk) are all much better for you and your kids than sugary, fizzy drinks.
Ketchup swap
Chop up some cherry tomatoes and grill them with your bacon. It's more filling, one of your five a day, and cuts down on your tomato sauce.
Salt swap
Use spices for flavouring instead of salt.
Jelly swap
Opt for sugar free jelly - kids won't taste the difference!
Breakfast swap
For something different with your cereal, try either fat-free fromage frais, or fat-free Greek yogurt. You could also use a sugar substitute or cinnamon, along with chopped apple or banana to help towards your 5 a day.
Meat swap
Meat like chicken or turkey is lower in fat than mince or sausages.
Chippy swap
Oven-baked fish and chips are a much healthier choice than the deep-fried version. Swapping your regular chip shop chips for oven chips will save you around 400 calories.
Bread swap
Wholemeal bread is a more filling alternative to white bread, but a wholemeal wrap is also a good option if you fancy a change.
Snack swap
When you're watching a movie, try swapping sweets for plain popcorn. Pastries and cakes can be swapped for a small scone or malt loaf. You can have it plain or with reduced fat spread.
Biscuit swap
Pick a plain biscuit instead of a chocolate one.
Nut swap
Have a small handful of unsalted, mixed nuts instead of salted nuts.
Frying swap
Remember, it's always better to grill than fry.
Biscuit swap
Plain crackers and oatcakes are an excellent substitute for biscuits.
Jam swap
Mash a banana or soft berries on toast instead of jam.
Fruit juice swap
Go for fruit instead of fruit juice. Fruit contains more fibre so you stay fuller for longer.
Healthy swap tips from parents
"Instead of giving my daughter crisps or other unhealthy savoury snacks, I like to give her chickpeas, baked with a blend of spices."
"Use almond flour and beetroot instead of chocolate to make brownies – the kids will love it and they won’t even know it’s not chocolate."
“Grate courgette and carrot into pancakes. Pancakes are easy to make, cheap and most kids love pancakes. Plus, it’s an easy way to get your kids eating veg at another time of the day other than dinner time."
“We call water ‘sky juice’ – it makes drinking it sound much more exciting!”