One way to get children on the health program is to involve them in the preparation of foods. Children who are creatively involved with food may be less likely to engage in unhealthy feeding frenzies or to hoard contraband candies in the corners of their dresser drawers.

Not everything that children like is bad for them, after all. Encourage them to make healthy choices.

FRUITY IDEAS

Keeping a bowl of washed fruits within easy reach is a good idea, but sometimes you have to dress it up to capture your children's interest. Fruit salad--consisting of whatever fruit is in season--steeped in freshly squeezed orange juice and lemon zest is one of our standbys.

Making this salad gives kids the opportunity to practice using a melon-baller and knife. Frozen grapes, sliced bananas, and melon balls are divine.

You can also make "frulatti," a blender shake that combines bananas, other fruits, a splash of milk, and a few ice cubes.

VERY FINE VEGGIES

Most children love raw vegetables, even when they think the same ingredients are unbearable cooked.

Help your kids cut up a big bowl of crudites to store in the refrigerator: sugar snap peas, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers, string beans, red peppers, iceberg lettuce, carrots or celery (the carrots and celery will stay crisp standing in a jar of water).

Keep dipping sauces on hand, homemade or store bought. Kids also love making "ants on a log:" peanut butter smeared on a celery stick, all covered with raisins.

PRE-APPROVED SNACKS

For those times when your children want to eat and run, it's a good idea to designate a drawer or canister as their own and keep it filled with parentally approved snacks.

Such treats might include sourdough pretzels, raisins, rice cakes, fruit leather, homemade cheese sticks and granola bars--choose items you don't mind your kids eating any time of day, without first asking your permission.

It's one of life's great simplifiers.