A MUM has written a nutrition book for children so they are able to make good food choices throughout their life- and includes characters such as Carlos the clever cauliflower and Pablo the perfect pea.

But there are also food villains in the book including The Sticky Sugar Scoundrels and The Salty Snack Rascals.

And Michelle Barrow was over the moon when she had her book published, which is called The Food Fight, and has fun illustrations throughout.

The 40-year-old from High Wycombe said: "I have got a little girl- Zoe, who is five. I realised there is nothing for them to read and learn about food themselves.

"The younger they are making those kind of food choices it will stay with them throughout their life. There is a small window of opportunity to have a positive impact."

In the book she goes through each food group and explains why The Valuable Viking Vegetables and The Crunchy Salad Crew are good for you.

She said: "Hopefully I have got a series up my sleeve.

"This one is more about food in general. "I would like to focus on each meal."

Michelle is a nutritional therapist, academic and leading educator in the field of nutrition therapy.

Having gained a first class degree in nutritional therapy in 2006, Michelle went on a master's degree in evidence based practice in nutrition, and is undertaking a doctorate at Middlesex University. She is a qualified teacher in the lifelong learning sector and is head of education for the centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management (CNELM), where she leads the BCS nutritional therapy degree and an MSc module on personalised nutrition and longevity.

But it was not until her 20s when she became interested in nutrition. She became ill at the age of 24 and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She was really ill for about two years.

Through her own research into nutrition she went on a strict diet.

And in week she was out of bed, in a month she was back at work and after six months she felt much better.

She said: "I thought this is amazing, I have to learn more. I started studying nutrition in my late 20s.

"I became a mature students. That really drove me to learn more. "I was discovering it all for myself.

"I studied and got my degree and masters. Now I teach and I love it."

She learned that a dairy intolerance was causing her immune system to go into overdrive.

Michelle said: "I eat really healthily. I probably wouldn't eat any junk food. I am healthy but I am about balance and the social aspects of eating are very important.

"I wouldn't turn up to a friend's house for dinner with a bowl of brown rice."

The book is available to buy from Amazon. And for more details go to www.pavpub.com or Michelle's website www.healthgeneration.com