I've been a little MIA in the social media/blogging world lately and it's because I'm run down! I have been busy with work, am over halfway through this baby-growing process, and we have had never ending sick bugs flying through our house. This nasty stomach bug has been circulating between my hubby and me (and I think Oakley too) for weeks! Needless to say, I'm worn out. I don't have some butt-kicking new workout to share, and I haven't developed any new recipes lately (unless you count the mixing of lemon and raspberry Jello...). But you don't want to hear my complaining anymore! Sorry!
Sometimes we don't need something big and new to help us make healthy choices in our life. A few years ago, I had the privilege of working with a community health program that promoted healthy living to school age kids. We did all kinds of awesome programs including gardening, after-school running clubs, cooking classes, and in-school health education. One of my favorite things to do was to go into local kindergarten classrooms and help teach nutrition lessons! It's amazing how much you can influence a 5 year old to go home and want to make healthy choices, and it's also not rocket science to eat right at home! A few of the lessons we taught will always stick out to me, and I've found I end up using pieces of them when I'm coaching clients too. Hey - we weren't all lucky enough to have cool nutrition lessons as 5 year olds - and the same concepts are good for us adults too!
The 5-a-Day Rule
This one is easy (to remember...but not always do!). The goals is to eat 5 fruits and veggies EVERY DAY! What's the best way to do this? Hold out your hand and spread your fingers wide. Drop one finger for each time we eat a fruit or vegetable. READY...1 for breakfast. 1 for a morning snack. 1 for lunch. 1 for an afternoon snack. 1 for dinner. Hey! You can do that - right?! My favorite way to start is with fruit in my cereal. If I'm feeling extra adventurous I'll add veggies to my smoothie!
Be a label-reading Super Hero!
This tip helps kids (and adults) choose a healthy cereal to eat. It's easy to get tempted by fun boxes, free toys or healthy ploys - but there is an easy way to make a healthy cereal choice. Turn the box to its side and look at the label. Check the fiber content. Does it have 3 OR MORE grams of fiber? If it does...keep going! If it doesn't put it back. Next step...check the sugar content. Does it have LESS THAN 10 grams? If it does - you've got a WINNER! If not - put it back and try a new box! Kids actually have a lot of fun trying to find cereals that fit the criteria. Some family favorites that fit the bill? Kix, Wheat Chex and Barbara's Honey Rice Puffins.
Food is Fuel!
Now, this one is my favorite. When you pull up to a gas station do you go inside and get a huge Slurpee to pour in the gas tank? NO! Your car wouldn't run very well with that kind of fuel! Think of your body in the same way. It is a special machine that needs high quality fuel (food) to run properly. Your vehicle might run on bad gas for a little while, but soon the car will start breaking down. Just like your body! This analogy resonates with kids AND adults, and it one I try to remind myself when my diet starts going downhill. For some yummy recipes for healthy fuel - check out my fuel page.
It's never too early to start teaching kiddos healthy eating habits - and it's never too late to start making healthy changes!
what about you?
Do you involve the kids in making healthy food choices?
Which of these 3 tips do you think will be easiest to implement at your house?
Which of these 3 tips do you think will be easiest to implement at your house?
