Health Tips for the Whole Family

When you keep an eye on health and safety, both kids and parents benefit.

Water Play

Safer summers

On a hot day, splashing in a pool can be a great way to stay cool. But water can pose a hazard for children of all ages, so take these steps to ensure your little ones are safe:

• Supervise children without distractions when they’re near a pool, lake or other body of water.
• Empty buckets, tubs, children’s pools and other containers of water when not in use.
• Enroll your child in swim lessons as soon as possible. Babies can take lessons as early as age 1.
• Familiarize yourself with child and infant CPR in case of emergencies.

Modeling nutrition for the family

Children look to their parents or caregivers for guidance on all sorts of things. If you are trying to encourage them to eat healthfully but are choosing highly processed foods for yourself, there is a disconnect between what you say and what you do — and your child will notice. Instead, try to model nutritious eating for the whole family.

When you cook dinner, get everyone involved for a fun routine. Even young children can help wash produce or sprinkle seasoning. If convenience is a concern, consider using a healthy meal preparation service that delivers ingredients and recipes to your doorstep each week.

At mealtime, turn off the TV and leave mobile devices in another room to diminish distractions. Not only will your family be more mindful of how much they are eating and when they feel full, but you’ll probably also find that conversations are more engaging when everyone is present.

Nutritious Meals

3 tips for healthy lunches

The new school year is fast approaching, and that means another year of packing lunches for your hungry learners. If choosing a variety of nutritious foods that your child will actually eat seems like a daunting task, try these tips for healthy lunches:

1. Aim for a well-rounded meal. Choose a protein, grain, fruit and vegetable. And yes, healthful eating can include dessert! Try dark chocolate-covered raisins, homemade oatmeal cookies or whole-wheat graham crackers.
2. Let your child help. Each night when you pack the next day’s lunch, give your little one a few options to choose from. They can also help pack the lunch.
3. Don’t skip snacks. Midmorning and afternoon snacks are great ways to keep your child from getting overly hungry by mealtime. Try chips and hummus, crackers with cheese, or fresh fruit.