10 Things You Can Do to Make a Healthier Generation:
- Stay Active
Help your child find ways to do 30 to 60 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Try to get your child to walk to school, take the stairs whenever possible and do jumping jacks and sit-ups first thing in the morning. For some extra quality time, join in!
- Think Small (Portions)
It may seem like a good “value” to get extra-large, family size items, but they contain lots of extra calories and fats. Instead, go for the regular size.
- Dance Your Heart Out!
Encourage your child to pick the music, crank it up and then dance away! March, box step, bounce, spin, shake it…anyway you move it, you’ll be burning calories.
- Be Creative!
Find ways to add healthy foods into foods your child already likes. You can put blueberries in pancakes, chopped fruit on cereal, or small pieces of broccoli in macaroni and cheese.
- Take a Break
If you can’t pry your kids away from the TV, encourage them to do jumping jacks, sit-ups, and push-ups during commercial breaks.
- Double Dog Dare You!
Challenge your kids to complete 50 jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, and lunges by the end of the day.
- Go Lean
Try cooking everything from burgers to meatloaf with 93% lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey. Remember to buy lean, boneless, skinless chicken and turkey breast for use in your favorite recipes or remove the skin of chicken or turkey prior to serving. When browning higher fat meats, try straining and rinsing the meat in hot water after cooking it to wash off some of the excess fat.
- Discover the Great Indoors
Visit an indoor pool, ice skating rink or basketball court at a local gym, school, or community center. You can visit www.ymca.net/ to locate your local YMCA and find out about the indoor programs that are offered.
- Reach for the Oatmeal
Instant oatmeal is great on a cold morning and contains fiber and vitamins. Choose oatmeal that isn’t already pre- sweetened, and add raisins or fresh fruit for flavor.
- Sign ’Em Up
Enroll your child in an instructional group class. Try dancing, gymnastics, martial arts, fencing, or indoor swimming lessons — anything that will get him or her excited about staying active.
