When it comes to feeding their children, parents certainly have the best intentions. But many have busy lifestyles that don’t always allow enough time for grocery shopping, meal planning or cooking. Out of convenience, they turn to the closest drive thru...

Others may not be aware of the healthiest ingredients or cooking methods. This was my situation as a kid. My folks were from Southern Ohio and I grew up on a diet high in fats and carbohydrates.

Even now, people too often rely on fatty or starchy foods as the basis for meals. Coupled with the picky eating habits that seem to be so prevalent among kids, no wonder that children are often not eating as well as they should.

Younger children often have a number of foods that they refuse to eat. Children can be particular not just about how a food tastes, but about temperature and texture too.

Older kids are frequently on the run, which may mean not only a lot of convenience items and fast foods, but erratic mealtimes too.

There are some tactics that parents can take with their kids to help them eat better.

Of course, setting a good example is a good first step. Parents should make every attempt to demonstrate healthy eating habits with their kids, and this includes having regular meal times. There are also current studies that show family meals strengthen the family considerably. Time around the table can be invaluable in catching up to your kids activities.

Kids are also more likely to eat healthy fruits and vegetables when they take part in food shopping and preparation.

Children are more inclined to eat healthy foods when they are offered frequently and regularly. Repeated exposure to vegetables, for example, is just one way to encourage your family members to try new foods.

It also helps to make foods visible and available. Try keeping a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter, or put crunchy, cut-up vegetables in the refrigerator. When my kids were little, I thought they didn't like fruits and veggies but one time we prepared a tray and it was gone in no time flat. So we did it again, with more and the same thing happened. We figured out that they were simply too impatient (lazy...) to prepare it themselves.

Another approach for increasing intake of vegetables is by adding them to familiar foods. Cooked, pureed vegetables can be added to pasta sauce, for example, which boosts nutrition and reduces the overall calories in the dish (using less sauce and more vegetable puree by volume). My wife does this now with our little ones, liquefying lots of dark vegetables and adding them to soups and sauces. It adds amazing depth and flavor to meals and the fiber makes the meal more satisfying for kids and adults.

Don’t get too creative though. I once tried to add spaghetti squash to grilled cheese sandwiches and got caught. That was 20 years ago and is still a family story that bring belly-laughs!

Kids also enjoy smoothies and a nutrient rich shake can be prepared as a snack or supplement to a meal. A quality nutritional shake, milk, fresh or fresh frozen fruit and a few ice cubes make an amazing concoction.

A bit of protein helps to curb appetite and limit frequent snacking on less healthy items. Yogurt (Greek-style yogurt is lower in sugar and higher in protein than others), quality protein bars (don’t deceived by glorified candy-bars). Lunchmeat and cheese rolled together and protein rich beverages all make excellent snacks.

Despite parents’ best efforts, children’s diets may still fall short in certain key nutrients. A daily multiple vitamin and mineral supplement can help to round out any potential shortfalls in the diet, and can act as a safety net. Look for age-appropriate products, which target the needs for the particular age of the child.