From packing healthy lunches to fitting in family physical activities,
keep your kids on the right track this school year with these tips.
Eat Right
Learn the ABCs of saving calories and money when you shop for groceries
to pack your kids’ lunches.
-
Always use ads and store bonus cards, which may offer discounts on healthy
foods like fruits and veggies.
-
Buy produce in season to cut costs. Fall is often the best time of year
to find a wide range of local produce.
-
Compare brands and package sizes to find the best buy. Be sure to read the
Nutrition Facts label on packaged food to choose products with lower numbers
for calories, saturated and trans fats, sodium, and sugars.
Turn food shopping into family time after school or on the weekends! Bring
your kids along and teach them to look out for healthy choices.
Get Active
Kicking off the school year can be a busy time, leaving little room for
physical activity. These steps can help you find time to be active as a family.
- Keep track of how your family spends time for one week.
- Start small. Find two 30-minute time slots when your family can be active
together after school or on the weekends.
Try these great tips:
- Walk your kids to school
- Ride bikes after dinner
- Play baseball
- Jump rope
- Shoot baskets
- Dance
- Walk the dog
- Play tag
- Rake leaves
Reduce Screen Time
Kids spend a big part of their day sitting in the classroom, so you can
help your children spend less time in front of the TV, computer, and video
games—and more time having fun as a family—with these tips.
Turn off the TV during mealtime and talk with your children about what
they learned in school that day. Families who eat together tend to eat
healthier.
- Limit screen time to two hours each day for children 2 or older.
- Suggest playing outside after school and join in the fun.
- Turn on some music and have a family dance party.
Be a good role model. If you reduce your screen time and move more, your
kids will too!
To learn more, go to
http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov.