| Issue Date: September 17, 2006
Lesson plan
Eating right and being active should stay part of kids' routines.
With the new school year upon us, parents and children everywhere are settling in to a new routine. At our house, it always takes several weeks to know what that routine will be. But remember that your child's daily routine still should include nutritious foods and an active lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you all stay healthy throughout the school year:
- Have meals together. This provides families an opportunity to reconnect at the end of a busy day. Eat at the table, not in the living room. Turn off the TV, and pay attention to each other.
-
Limit snacks. Have healthy alternatives in the refrigerator and cupboards.
-
Get the kids involved. Let the children help you plan and prepare meals. They'll be more likely to eat what they have helped to make. Also, when possible, let the children help with the grocery shopping.
-
Teach your kids about nutrition. At our house, our children know what carbohydrates, fats and proteins are. You can help yours learn about different types of foods, and as they grow older, they should be able to make healthy choices for themselves.
-
Be a good role model. Children learn what they live, and if they see Mom and Dad making physical activity a priority, it becomes part of their habits, as well.
-
Assign active chores. Walking the dog, washing the car and cutting the grass are good opportunities to keep your children active.
-
Limit access to TVs and computers. The more time the kids are in front of a TV or computer, the fewer calories they will burn.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and medical director of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
|
