6 ways to create healthy lifestyle habits for life
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One of the best ways to prepare your children for a long and healthy life is to get them started early with their own healthy lifestyle habits. This is best taught by example. When the entire family practices healthy habits, they’re more likely to stick with your children for life. One of a parent’s most important responsibilities is to be a good role model. As your child grows they’ll learn about healthy habits from you. They watch, they emulate and they adopt your habits. Here are six healthy lifestyle habits to create for you and your family.TRANSCRIPT
6 Ways To Create Healthy Lifestyle Habits forLifeOne of the best ways to prepare your children for a long and healthy life isto get them started early with their own healthy lifestyle habits. This isbest taught by example. When the entire family practices healthy habits,they’re more likely to stick with your children for life.
Here are six healthy lifestyle habits to create for you and your family.
#1 Drink water. Most of us just don’t drink enough water. Sure, we’rehydrated but it’s often with calorie and sugar heavy beverages. Skip thesoda, juice and sweetened drinks and stick to water. It may be a toughtransition for the entire family. Make the change gradually.
#2 Consume far less during mealtime. We’re a super-sized society. We’reaccustomed to eating a lot during mealtime. Work on eating smallerportions during mealtime. Serve more vegetables on the plate and lessprotein and starchy carbohydrates.
#3 Move your body. Find a way to be active each and every day. Walk orbike to places when you can. Take hikes and family walks together. Playsports or engage in physical activities. The more you’re active as a familyand on your own, the more your children will be active too. An activelifestyle is key to a healthy mind and body.
#4 Appreciate food for what it is. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying foodand consuming treats in moderation. When people have a healthyappreciation for food, they eat healthier.
However, when they use food to soothe their emotions or as a reward, itcreates a misguided relationship with food. Children will learn to turn tofood as a coping mechanism. Parents can help by not using food as areward or punishment.
#5 Make more food at home. Takeout and prepackaged foods aresometimes necessary, but they’re usually not healthy. However, when afamily makes food at home using fresh produce they’re more likely to eathealthy and to develop a healthy relationship with food. Make cooking afamily activity on the weekends when everyone is home together.
#6 Eat less sugar. Sugar is in just about everything we eat. It’s in bread,sauces, it’s sometimes even in lunchmeat. Help your family break theaddiction to sugar by choosing low sugar and no sugar options. Cookiesand snacks are okay occasionally but they shouldn’t be an everydaychoice.
One of a parent’s most important responsibilities is tobe a good role model. As your child grows they’lllearn about healthy habits from you. They watch,they emulate and they adopt your habits.
Creating healthy lifestyle habits as a family will helpyour children grow up healthy and strong. They’ll take the habits theylearned as children into adulthood.
For other healthy lifestyle information,resources and tips,see healthylifestyle tips.org