Nothing can be as frustrating for parents who want their kids to eat healthily than picky eaters. To stop mealtimes driving you to tears, here are a few tips we've picked up.

• Firstly and most importantly; don't panic. It's perfectly normal for kids to be fussy. When a new food is rejected, don't get worked up about it. Simply offer it again a few days later until it's accepted.
• If they keep refusing the food, try disguising it. Making food into fun shapes (for example serving tomatoes on a cocktail stick with a dip) can sometimes overcome their dislike.
• To stop kids getting fixed on pizza and chips when they go through the I-only-eat-two-items phase, keep only healthy food in the house. Then whatever fad food they choose, it'll be good for them.
• If they do try unhealthy foods and decide they love them, then that's fine. Tell them they are for parties or special occasions rather than banning them outright. This not only stops them eating nothing but burgers, but reinforces the idea of healthy eating.

Of course, we all want to avoid the fussy stage if at all possible. So we thought we'd share with you some ways to achieve this too.

• Most importantly, give your child a wide range of food from the beginning. Then they'll be fewer foods they can reject as ‘new'.
• Studies show that parents who eat widely have kids who are less fussy. Remember, kids watch and learn from their parents; be good food role models.

So bear with them in their food quirks, they're normal and needn't cause meal battles. Good luck!