Parents should encourage their children to help out in the home kitchen, as this will help them make healthy choices later in life, an expert from the Way Cool Cooking School has said.

Lynn Elliot highlighted that the kitchen is a room where many great memories can be created, especially when all the family is brought together, kare11.com reports.

"It teaches skills to your kids and it doesn't feel like a chore if everyone is in the kitchen," she commented.

Ms Elliot emphasised that in order to promote healthy eating, families need to plan ahead for the week's meals, as this will make sure the right nutritious ingredients are to hand.

Recent research from Mintel found that 27 per cent of people eating foods aimed at those hoping to lose weight did not find them satisfying, with many left feeling hungry just hours later.