Mum tricks son into eating fresh food by presenting plates of food to look cartoon characters

A CLEVER Mum has solved the riddle of persuading her son to eat fruit and vegetables – by creating thrilling food plates of his favourite TV and book characters.

Diana Gonzalez has tempted her son George to ditch processed food with a host of artistic creations made from nutritious grub – including Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear and Woody, Scooby Doo, Peppa Pig, Nemo, and Paddington Bear.

The wonder-Mum has come up with a new character every day for over a year, miraculously bringing to life The Gruffalo, Peter Rabbit, Super Mario, Minions, Olaf from Frozen, Goofy, The Simpsons, and characters from Mr Men books and Star Wars.

She has also gone bananas with Mr Bean, Big Bird, Ernie and Bert from Sesame Street, Beauty & the Beast themes, and Angry Birds.

Away from books and films, her edible art strayed into Boris Johnson – made from Quesadilla – Marilyn Monroe, William Shakespeare, The Beatles, the Statue of Liberty, and references to famous ‘Friends’ episodes.

Diana has gone fruit and nuts with her props, which have included strawberries, grapes, apples, blueberries, pineapple, pomegranate seeds, coconuts, pears, raisins, tomatoes and satsumas, cashews, and walnuts.

The veg she has made look inviting includes, cucumber, celery, carrots, peas, broccoli, corn on the cob, avocado, red onion, mange tout, and asparagus – while basil and smoked salmon have also featured in her dishes.

Diana said: “It basically started with me trying to get my son to eat more fruit and less processed food and crisps.

“When lockdown first came in March last year and he was at home we started doing crafts, but then one day I made a Pink Panther with rice and thought ‘this is quite fun’.

“I wouldn’t say he never ate fruit or veg at all, but now instead of something unhealthy for a snack when he gets home hungry after school every day, he will have my healthy plate. The deal is if I make a picture, he will eat it.

“He gets excited about it every day and when I pick him up, he always asks ‘what have you made today?’. But I keep it a surprise.”

Diana has won thousands of admirers after posting pictures of her works, but she said: “Give me a pen and paper and I can’t draw at all.

“But I can knock these up with a bit of imagination and a sharp knife fairly quickly.”

Inspired Diana has come up with a new idea almost every day since March last year.

She said: “I’ve not run out of ideas yet, but I did occasionally stray into some things George didn’t get – like Friends. But then I showed him on Google what it represented and he liked it.”

Diana added: “Later in the evening George tends to eat a hot meal with me and his dad Paul – and I get Paul asking ‘why don’t you make pictures for me?’

“I have made the odd picture from curry or tacos, but generally for Paul all I do is just splash a bit of Ketchup around to make a happy face!”

Human Resources Director Diana, who studied at the University of Liverpool and whose teacher husband Paul Corbishley (correct) and son George are British, hails from Mexico.

The family has spent lockdown in Manchester.

She said: “It’s why I have quite a bit of time on my hands to entice George with good food!

“My nephew in Mexico City has seen my photos and even though he is picky and doesn’t eat fruit or veg, he says he’ll try it if I do the same for him.”