To take the pressure off at mealtimes and the focus away from the food a little, I like to encourage my clients to rename family mealtime as simply family time. This way, they can reframe it as an opportunity to come together, catch up on what’s going on in each other’s worlds, have a chat and a laugh. There just happens to be food to share too.

Whenever possible, eat as a family, with everyone eating the same meal. Sit at the table together and try to have conversations, encouraging your children to join in with the social parts of eating. There really is more to eating than just the food.

Remember though, if that’s a struggle, that your family time doesn’t always need to be in the evening. Breakfast or lunch could be a better time for you all to eat together. And if you can’t manage it during the week, try to do it for as many meals as possible at the weekend. Do what works for you!

If schedules don’t allow you to eat a meal together, family time can be with just one adult present and, if you’re not eating with your children, try to sit with them whilst they eat. Have a snack (a small portion of whatever they’re having or cook extra vegetables for you to snack on) and model the behaviour you want to encourage.