Many youngsters are misdirected when it comes to healthy eating and how to undertake home cooking for themselves, an expert has said.

Dr Carrie Ruxton, nutritionist for the Health Supplements Information Service (HSIS), pointed out that many kids do not have the practical experience of shopping for healthy produce.

"Babies are born with a preference for salty and sweet foods so it's natural for children to enjoy salty flavours. However, many simply eat too many salty foods," she continued.

Dr Ruxton highlighted that parents need to take an active role in encouraging their kids to shy away from excessively salty and sugary foods, such as by giving them healthy snacks.

Children in the UK are risking serious illnesses later in life because of poor diet and nutrition while they are young, a study from HSIS recently revealed.

It also found that nutritional guidelines for youngsters are being missed more often than not.