The Department of Health is staging a 'Healthy Meal Challenge' to encourage families to eat healthily and to show it does not have to be expensive.

This month is Nutrition Month and in accordance with the Department's theme of 'Nutrition on a Budget' they are challenging the public to submit healthy recipes for meals that can feed a family of four for $15 or less.

The challenge is part of the Department's healthy eating promotions and is aimed at encouraging families to eat more meals at home and to show that eating healthily can be inexpensive and easy.

The challenge is open to amateur cooks of all ages. Recipe submissions should include four out of the five food groups which are meats/proteins, dairy/calcium, whole grains and fruits/vegetables.

Recipes will be judged on ease of preparation, calories, fat and salt content, originality, creativity, presentation and appearance.

Recipes and photographs of meals must be submitted by April 9. For application forms, guidelines and a complete list of criteria go to www.health.gov.bm.