One of Bradford's leading nutritionists, Rosie Denison, has some expert wheezes to get kids to eat up their greens and overcome iron-deficiency anaemia.

She recommends buying frozen spinach, available from supermarkets, and hiding it in their meals.

Rosie, who runs her own nutrition consultancy Falubris based at Dragons Health Club in Yeadon, has first-hand experience of making sure youngsters get an abundant supply of iron.

She works with Bradford City's youth team and says that with the immense amount of energy burnt off during exercises and games, it is essential that their diet supports this activity.

She says that parents have plenty of opportunities to get iron into their children from iron-rich breakfast cereals to a chilli dinner, into which tiny amounts of spinach can be subtly hid with the child none the wiser.

She says: "Put in a few handfuls of frozen spinach which is rich in nutrients. The child can't fish them out and will never know. It's a cheap and a really fantastic tip.

"Red meat such as liver, kidneys and beef are excellent sources but if your children don't like them, get round the problem by buying liver pate.

"Iron is important to a person's diet because it is needed to make haemoglobin which travels round the blood and carries oxygen, and if you have not got your haemoglobin, you've no oxygen and no energy.

"It's not just children who need to be aware of the importance of iron. A lack of it in a mother who is breast-feeding for example can lead to babies who continually cry. For the brain to grow, it needs a lot of iron.

"There are two sources of iron. That which occurs in an animal that has blood in it and any plant that has iron in it. Brussel Sprouts are a very good source of iron for example.

"A child who will not eat red meat or a parent who cannot afford it must find ways of getting round the problem. Kidneys can be fried really quickly in olive oil, and if that's not a popular option and she is still concerned, there's always the liver pate.

"Without iron there can be side- effects. They won't be able to concentrate at school and can become moody."

Breakfast is a good place to start when planning a healthy diet.

Starting the day with a glass of fresh orange juice is a great way to get going, preferably followed by wholemeal toast or cereals with semi-skimmed milk.

A good idea that will often appeal to youngsters is to chop a banana into porridge or unsweetened museli.

While cooked breakfasts may not summon up the healthiest of images, done the right way they can be tasty and bristling with good things.

Try wholemeal toast with grilled mushrooms and poached egg or wholemeal toast with grilled tomatoes and lean grilled bacon.

It is important to develop healthy eating habits and practise what you preach - your children will quickly follow your bad habits.

If you find it difficult to resist giving children treats all the time, make it easy on yourself - only buy the food you want your child to eat.

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