Parenting expert

Sissy Biggers suggests that getting kids involved in food preparation

is one way to get them excited about eating well.

"Invite

your kids to create their own dishes using three nutritious ingredients

you provide," said Biggers. "Soon they'll learn to make these

healthy choices themselves."

There's an

abundance of fresh and vitamin-packed produce to choose from when planning

your child's daily diet. Kids age two to six need at least two servings

of fruit and three servings of vegetables per day according to the USDA

Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children.

Here are a

few more tips to help make nutrition fun for your kids.

Keep it

simple. Good nutrition does not have to be difficult. Foods that kids

love may already be convenient for you to serve.

Fruit-flavored

yogurts and string cheese help keep calcium fun-on-the-run, and Franco-American

SpaghettiOs pasta is a nutritious, kid-friendly lunch option. While providing

a full serving of vegetables and grains, SpaghettiOs pasta is also a good

source of vitamin A and iron, and is 99 percent fat free.

Dip it.

Take advantage of the bounty of delicious fresh fruits and vegetables

that are available by serving them as snacks to your kids whenever possible.

If your child will not eat vegetables, try serving them with dips, such

as ranch dressing or a mild salsa. Eating with their hands keeps nutrition

fun for kids.

Everybody

outside. Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Keep it fun by exercising together. Consider active, outdoor family outings

such as bicycling through the local park, hiking nearby trails or swimming

at he beach or lake.

"It is

important for kids to learn good eating habits now," adds Biggers.

"It is these early food experiences that will set healthy patterns

for the rest of their lives."