The run-up to Christmas is often frenetic. All that planning, lists, shopping and errands. All you want to do, when you get the chance, is crash out.

The last thing you may have the patience for is cooking or baking for Christmas with your children. It's so much easier to get it done when they are out or asleep. It's quicker and produces less mess and noise.

But I'd like to persuade you that both you and your children would be losing out if you did so and that a couple of cooking sessions has the potential for real quality time together. You can plan, shop then cook and enjoy the satisfaction together when you serve up the end product.

From my point of view as a Diet Coach, it's an opportunity to learn two very important things about food.

Firstly, you can demonstrate to your children good eating habits and, secondly, it provides an opportunity to experience a happy relationship with food.

So many of us who are overweight have a love-hate relationship with what we eat. You can't do without food but it makes you feel guilty.

Having fun with cooking shows that food can be enjoyed without being abused.

So what are the habits you should teach your children while cooking?

You certainly wouldn't want to teach them it's okay to pick at food while you're cooking. And you'd want them to know it's not okay to eat standing up.

But I wouldn't want to be a party pooper - you could promise them they can lick the bowl once everything has been cleared away.

Children take such pride in food that they've cooked themselves. Take advantage of that to help them eat healthier food over the holidays.

Say, for example, you take your children to the cinema. Chances are, you will be faced with demands for a huge tub of popcorn which you will probably end up finishing off yourself.

Why not be prepared? Before you set off, suggest to your children you wrap up a few of the flapjacks they helped you make. Stick to a couple of these and everyone will be happy.

If you sometimes find yourself moaning that Christmas has become too materialistic, quality time spent lovingly cooking and preparing food will change the balance.

Even better, you could prepare a taste of your fare for an elderly neighbour.

I'd better get off the computer and go and practice what I preach.

You can get support from Dr Judy Citron and her team of DietCoaches by joining her telephone weight-loss classes, right from your own home. "You lose weight and you're not on a diet. It's amazing." Phone free for more information on 0800 074 0260 or visit the web site at www.thedietcoach.com