THE Mediterranean diet is always given as an example of healthy eating.

"But perhaps it is the 'way' they eat as well as 'what' they eat," says Food & Health Adviser for Morecambe Bay Health Promotion, Vivien Prendiville.

"They make time to eat with the whole family - it is a social occasion.

Whereas we sit in front of the TV, eating our microwaved fisherman's pie, watching Rick Stein do wonderful things with sea bream!"

Research suggests that parents now talk to their children for less than 12 minutes a day, so perhaps it's time to turn the TV off and make time to catch up, commented Vivien.

The availability of ready-made, convenience foods and microwaves can be liberating for busy families working different hours.

However, from a health perspective, choose carefully as many products are high in fat - chicken tikka is a better buy than chicken kiev; deep-pan pizza is better than thin-based pizzas.

"There is no such thing as an unhealthy food - only an unhealthy diet - so remember to add vegetables to your meal to create a healthy balance," said Vivien.

"Frozen vegetables are just as good as fresh and canned vegetables, such as baked beans or sweetcorn, are always a convenient standby."

Vivien added that although many parents prepare different meals for different family members in the hope that the food will be eaten, this can lead to problems with children only eating a narrow range of foods and missing out on vital nutrients.

"Watching parents skip meals, eating only certain foods and eating alone does not encourage enjoyment of a wide variety of foods.

Obsession with 'dieting' can teach children that food is an enemy rather than a friend.

They may learn to feel guilty and anxious aboug eating certain foods instead of the pleasure of eating together."

The school meal may be one of the only times in the day that children sit and eat at a table, according to Vivien.

The Government has recently issued new nutritional standards for school meals and points out that, in addition to their nutritional value, school meals provide a chance for pupils to enjoy the company of their friends and develop a range of social skills.

"However, many pupils say it is the worst time of day, particularly year 7 pupils who experience a stark transition between the different canteen cultures of primary and secondary schools."

To compensate, several local secondary schools are already looking at ways to make it a more enjoyable experience - an opportunity to chat with friends - by upgrading the dining areas, changing table layouts, reducing queues, allowing more time for pupils to eat and 'buddying' schemes for younger pupils.