Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland and Kaiser Permanente, along with a variety of other Heath Care organizations, are working on a community health initiative in the Lee-Harvard, Miles area. Through this collaboration we have learned tips to help families think of healthier ways of living.
Try these easy, family-based tips for stronger, healthier kids and parents:
|
Five Rules to Live By
- Do plan your meals every week so that you can keep track of what you are eating.
- Do incorporate foods with which the whole family is comfortable. There are healthy alternatives for nearly every kid-favorite food.
- Do eat fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, nuts, and dairy daily. These choices will keep your children full and less likely to turn to foods with empty calories
- Do involve the whole family in meal planning, exercise, and family outings. The whole family's involvement will ensure success.
- Do get your children to exercise at least three times a week, 60 minutes per day-which can be broken up into six times each day for about 10 to 15 minutes.
|
Five Things to Avoid
- Don't ever skip a meal. Skipping meals deprives the body of important nutrients and may cause you to over compensate by eating empty calories later.
- Don't completely eliminate the foods children are used to eating. Instead, try to make or find a healthier version (for example, instead of French fries, try sweet potato slices baked in a broiler).
- Don't make deep-fried foods a part of your diet. Replace these with foods that have been sautéed, baked, roasted, broiled, or grilled.
- Don't expect the children to participate in good nutrition and exercise without parents being good role models.
- Don't rely on daycare, gym class, or sports team involvement to teach your kids lifelong exercise habits. Children need to learn to exercise without being a part of a sports team and get into the habit of an exercise routine
|
|
