The family that eats together may beat obesity together, according to a recent Harvard University study. Children who eat meals together with the family every day or almost every day, according to researchers, consume higher amounts of important nutrients, more fruits and vegetables, and less fat than children who only sometimes eat meals with the family.

With today's busy schedules, this can be hard. It's tempting to hand over a few dollars and let your kids eat out. But you can succeed by keeping meals simple and easy to prepare and yet nutritious. Some ideas:

• Buy a ready-made spaghetti sauce and put it over pasta noodles for a main course.


• Use purchased cut-up veggies and pre-cut chicken for a quick stir-fry.


• Use leftover diced chicken added to fresh tomatoes, lettuce and shredded cheese to put into a tortilla wrap for a fajita.


• Cook large amounts of things on weekends, such as chili, soup, or casseroles. Eat one portion and freeze leftovers in family sized containers to take out on busy nights.


• Look for prepared nutritious foods in your grocery or deli. Buy a roasted chicken and add brown rice and a salad for a quick and tasty meal.