Try as you might, it can be a real struggle to get your kids to eat healthy. How can you encourage your children to eat fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water, when they would rather gobble down popsicles, candy bars, chips and soda pop? Actually, it's easier than you think. With a bit of creative cooking and reverse psychology, you'll be amazed at how simple it is to increase your child's servings of fruits and veggies in their daily diet.

* Try a fruit smoothie. In a blender mix plain or vanilla yogurt, frozen fruits and half-cup of fruit juice and mix until smooth. Pour into a glass and eat it as a "fruit-shake" or with whipped cream.

* Put a "snack plate" in front of the kids when they have company over or when they're watching the tube. Rather than chips, lay out a tray of cut up veggies, cheese and tiny sandwiches. In the middle - a bowl of dip. Kids love it!

* Make sure a salad is on the table every night for dinner. Prior to the main meal, serve the salad. Then after the bowls are clean, bring on the rest of the dinner.

* Prepare snacks ahead when you're running errands in town. Pack granola bars, bottles of water and fruit. This will reduce your temptation to run to the local fast food restaurant.

* Kids learn what they see so set a good example. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and drink plenty of water.

* Change the way you combine your food. Serve meat as a side dish, along with two main vegetables. Don't have over three choices.

* Have fruit for desert - even if it has to be mixed in with something. For example, muffins made with real fruit or applesauce, Jello with strawberries or ice cream and cherries are good choices.

* Always have water on hand. Take it on picnics, walks, the beach and to the park. To keep it cold on a hot day, freeze half a jug of water and then, prior to leaving, fill it the rest of the way with water. As the ice melts, the water will stay cold.

* Freeze your fruit juice or fruit pieces and make frozen "fruit pops".

* Be creative and have the kids help. (Frozen grapes and oranges, on a stick, make great treats.)

* Grow a veggie garden - and have the kids help you. Children are often more likely to eat what they grow.

* Get the junk food out of the house. Replace it with fresh fruit, granola bars, baked chips and snack crackers, flavored rice cakes and fruit juice.

* Top everything you can with fresh fruit. Cereals, pancakes, and oatmeal tastes great with fresh berries and bananas go well with peanut butter sandwiches, pudding and yogurt.

* Put vegetables in everything! Make your own pizzas and top with fresh green peppers and mushrooms. Add lots of veggies to soups, sandwiches, rice, pasta, and even meatloaf!

* Keep a veggie and a fruit bowl in the frig at all times. They keep well in an air-tight bowl or in zip-lock baggies. When the kids want a snack - the fresh treat will most likely hit the spot.