I know it?s very rare that anything in life is perfect ? especially when it comes to children! Perfect behaviour, perfect grades, perfect health?

Hmmm? children and perfect just don?t go together. And this must be behind the unconditional love that comes with parenthood ? because without it (and even sometimes with it) our children would drive us crazy!

However if there was one aspect of child?s life that you could make perfect, what would it be? I know that this is my field ? so of course I think it?s important, but I firmly believe that perfect nutrition would be an invaluable choice.

This isn?t to say that behaviour and grades aren?t important, but as they are both affected by nutrition, perhaps we?d be wise to look more closely at what our children eat.

Children?s diets are thankfully now receiving an increasing amount of attention ? illustrated by the government?s great new ?Healthy Schools? campaign.

The dieticians at the Department of Health say that ?success in school begins with healthy students? because good nutrition promotes health, growth, mental development and social skills.

Let me give you some examples to show you how true this is. Good, essential fats, especially the Omega 3 fish oils, have been clearly linked to mental development. They help improve IQ, memory and attention span.

In contrast, bad non-essential fats (e.g. fried foods, chips, pastries, streaky bacon) not only block the uptake of good fats, but they also cause inflammation and weight gain too.

And a child that has too many refined and sugary foods (e.g. white bread, candy, cookies and soda) may well have imbalanced blood sugar levels, resulting at best in irritability, and at worst in Type 2 ?adult? onset diabetes.

To achieve success, the Healthy Schools campaign requires support from the schools themselves, but also teachers, parents and the community.

In reality, no child?s diet will ever be perfect ? we all have days when ?life? simply gets in the way and you can?t monitor a teenager eats.

But we can aim for nearly perfect and that is certainly good enough! Now I?m not suggesting that you send your children off to school with a few lentils and some spinach pate ? that?s clearly not going to work, but try out some of the ideas below ? they?re easy, nutritious and everyone loves them!

(suitable for all ages 18 months and up)

Natures Path Mesa Sunrise Cereal with flaked almonds and milk

Apple (cut up if necessary), Peach or Pear

Milk to drink (fresh dairy milk or unsweetened soy milk)Wholegrain bread sandwich with tuna mayo (easy on the mayo! 1 tsp per person) and cucumber, or hummus and alfalfa sprouts.

Carrot/Celery/Cucumber sticks

Apple and Raisin Muffin (see recipe)

Water to drinkSalmon Pesto Spaghetti (see recipe) with peas

Strawberries

Water to drinkfruit, vegetable sticks and hummus dip, pumpkin seeds and raisins, natural peanut or almond butter on wholemeal bread.

(makes 8)

225g (8oz) organic wholemeal, self raising flour

? tsp nutmeg

? tsp cinnamon

50g (2oz) chopped walnuts

50g (2oz) sugar free desiccated coconut

175g (6oz) carrots (peeled and grated)

175g (6oz) apples (peeled and grated)

75g (3oz) raisins (roughly chopped in half)

2 organic eggs (beaten)

100ml (4 fluid oz) sunflower oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, walnuts, coconut, carrots, apples and raisins together in one bowl. Mix eggs, sunflower oil and vanilla in a second bowl. Mix the two bowls together and spoon into muffin cases. Cook for 20 minutes at 180 C or 350 F.

(serves 2 adults, 2 children)

2 x 250g (9oz) skinless/boneless salmon fillets

? packet wholemeal wheat or brown rice spaghetti

1 tbsp green pesto

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 190 C or 375 F. Bake the salmon for 20 minutes or till cooked through. Flake the salmon and check for any stray bones. Cook the pasta, drain and stir in the olive oil and pesto. Add the salmon, mix gently and serve

The advice given in this article is not intended to replace medical advice, but to complement it. Always consult your GP if you have any health concerns.