Fun foods for kids are all the rage. Walk down a market aisle and notice all the food items designed to attract the kids. They range from rice krispies treat cereal to gargoyle spaghetti, from confetti cake mix to yogurt with gummi bear topping. Kid foods are everywhere. Food makers have discovered what a gold mine these products can be. Children have a big impact on family food purchases. They influence what parents buy, and what they eat.

TV and even computer commercials about foods for kids are on the increase. No longer do we see food marketing only during cartoons, we now see it on prime time.

Should we be concerned? The answer is yes. Most novelty food items for kids are:
* low in essential nutrients,
* high in calories, particularly sugar calories, and
* expensive.

Childhood obesity is increasing. Excess caloric intake is not good for any child. Parents need to be in charge of their children's diets. The goals are:
* To provide enjoyable meals for all members of the family.
* To assure that your family has adequate nutrients to grow strong and stay healthy.

Make your own "cartoon foods" using healthy ingredients. Try these ideas:
* Freeze juice or yogurt with fruit in small paper cups, inserting a popsicle stick in the middle.
* Cut sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters.
* Lay out food on the plate to make fun designs like smiley faces or an imaginary race track.

There is no end to the possibilities. If you are short on ideas, check your local library or bookstore for fun cookbooks for kids. Take charge of your children's diets, they depend upon you.

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