7 Ways to
Communicate Healthy Habits to Your Kids
As the school year kicks back into gear so should the
healthy habits that you and your children have before practiced. Notice how I
said “practiced,” because we all know during the summer-vacation months we tend
to indulge a little. Maybe you have had one too many backyard barbeques, or
three too many trips to the favorite ice cream shop down the street. Whatever
your summer vice may be don’t worry about it, you can regain those healthy
habits from before and introduce them into your children’s lives!
1. Exercise. Exercise. Exercise.
Get
everyone in the family moving, don’t just emphasize the idea of being active to
your children without participating in the activities. In addition to making it
fun for the whole family, exercising as a unit will allow you to interact with
your child and help them stay healthy and active.
2. Eat a Variety of Foods.
Don’t just
stick to the same food regimen. Make sure you try a vast array of different
nutrient-rich foods to boost the health of yourself and your children. There
are many different vitamins and minerals out there, and if you just stick to
the same old mac n’ cheese menu with the occasional lasagna, you are missing
out on an abundance of healthy nutrients for your children!
3. Limit the Screentime.
It is no
stranger that we live in a world constantly absorbed by some type of
technology. From work to leisure time, technology is present in our life in one
shape or another almost 24/7. But, it is best to try and limit these habits.
They promote a lifestyle with less movement and activity, it has been shown to
lead to increased obesity and cardiovascular disease. So try and limit your
child’s time behind the screen and get them moving.
4. The Most Important Meal of the Day: Breakfast.
Fuel up!
Before you send the kiddos off to school and bring yourself into your favorite
place aka work, make sure to create a nutritious breakfast. A breakfast loaded
with carbohydrates, milk, cereal and fruits is a great way to regain all the
energy lost from the previous day.
5. Pick Rewarding Rewards for Your Kids.
Sometimes
parents tend to reward a job well done or the completion of chores with a trip
to the ice cream shop, some candy or a new video game (if you’re feeling really
generous). Change the types of rewards and incentives you present to your
children. Maybe take them on an excursion to their favorite park, or another
outdoor adventure, whatever you decide make sure it is creative and helps to
influence healthy habits in your children.
6. Eat Fruits and Vegetables with Every Meal!
We have
already emphasized the importance of eating healthy, but there should also be a
frame of reference for what this means. One way to encourage healthy eating is
to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet. A neat
way to do this is to have fruits and vegetables as a snack during every meal
period.
7. Be the Best Role Model.
Your
children tend to emulate and copy they way you behave, so why not exhibit
healthy habits that they can catch on to and then practice themselves. Be the
best role model possible for your children and work together as the both of you
craft and practice healthy habits for the new school year and beyond.
Bishara Wilson
New York Sports Acupuncture
888.375.5444
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