Setting a Routine and Healthy Table for Meal Times
Having a regular routine for meal times allows kids to know what to expect—gathering together as a family sets a pleasant and positive atmosphere for bonding and enjoying healthy foods together. For breakfast, you can provide nutritional foods, such as eggs and oatmeal along with some orange juice to gear up with energy for an active day. Lunch should include nutritional foods like veggie fajitas, chicken fingers, and club sandwiches. Serving up a snack with lunch always adds a little pizazz to lunchtime, so be sure to have healthy snacks available. Bananas, apples, grapes, and low-fat yogurts are ideal options that will provide your child with the vitamins and minerals needed for developmental growth. Serving up dinner with fresh fish, lean meats, green veggies and whole-grain rice introduces your child to what a healthy dinner menu looks like. To make dinnertime even more inviting, dress the plate up with sprigs of fresh parsley or slices of fresh lemon. The point is to create a healthy meal in an enjoyable atmosphere. In a short time, your child will associate these positive experiences with healthy eating habits.
Get the Kids Involved in Preparing for Meal Time
From meal planning to grocery shopping and cooking in the kitchen, making kids active participants in the whole process of healthy living instills a solid foundation of healthy habits. Make a food list with your child and head on out to the grocery store, where you can select healthy foods together. It’s the ideal time for your child to play a role in decision-making while you show them what foods are healthy and unhealthy. You can also teach them how to read food labels.
Children always enjoy helping out, and with hands-on experience in the kitchen, it’s just another opportunity to reinforce healthy food habits. Let your child participate in food preparation, such as washing the veggies or peeling the potatoes. Use this opportunity to teach your child healthy cooking ingredients and techniques, such as grilling instead of frying and using healthy cooking oils.
Turn off the Technology and Get Moving with Fun Physical Activities
Turn off the television, limit the time playing computer video games, and enjoy some physical activity outdoors with your kids. Kids love outdoor adventures, and getting physical will give them an opportunity to burn off calories, strengthen muscles and build strong bones. Head out to the community pool for a day of swimming, where you can enjoy a good workout doing laps together or engage in a fun game of Marco Polo. Take a bike ride with your child around the neighborhood or head out to the park for a hike in nature. Other fun physical activities that you can enjoy with your kids include ice skating, roller-blading, skiing, bowling, and even simple games of tag.
What are some fun ways to get my kids to exercise?
Parenting can be hard work, but inspiring your children to actively and healthily exercise is just one of the ways that you can help them grow into their best selves. While it may take some creativity and personalized incentive, there are many interactive and fun ways to get kids moving. From joining in on family bike rides or taking impromptu dance breaks in the living room, to setting up a mini obstacle course outdoors or teaching them yoga – parents can have a lot of fun with their children while helping them develop an appreciation for physical activity.
Encourage Joining a Sports Team
There’s such a wide variety of sports that kids can enjoy while getting some great exercise. From cheerleading and soccer to ballet and softball, the possibilities are endless. Not only will your kids be gaining social skills on sports teams, but they will also have a full season of physical workouts. By engaging in and enjoying sports at a young age, kids are much more likely to continue with sports activities throughout their lifetime.
Healthy Tips for School Children
School can be a challenging time for kids—they’re learning, growing, and trying to keep up with their peers. As a parent, it’s important to make sure your child is healthy and energized both mentally and physically. Here are some tips to help you keep your kids healthy, happy, and ready to take on the school day.
Nutrition Habits
Good nutrition habits start at home. Make sure your child is eating breakfast before they go to school and that they have plenty of snacks throughout the day. Healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, nuts, or yogurt provide energy without weighing them down. Additionally, pack nutritious lunches that include fresh food options instead of processed ingredients. This will ensure your child has enough fuel for their busy day ahead.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise helps boost mental alertness as well as physical health. Encourage your children to participate in regular physical activities like walking or running during recess or after-school activities like sports teams or clubs. Exercise can help reduce stress and fatigue while also keeping their bodies strong and healthy for growth!
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential for learning and growth; research has shown that kids who get enough sleep perform better in school than those who don’t get enough rest. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night depending on age; young children should get even more! Getting into a consistent bedtime routine will help ensure that your child gets the rest they need each night so they can wake up ready to learn each morning!
In addition to the health benefits of a healthy lifestyle, individuals in good health can attain health insurance at a lower cost. If you need health insurance, looking for health insurance providers online gives you the opportunity to compare rates and benefits. With this ability, you can choose the best plan for yourself and your family.
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