It’s hard to get through childhood without being told you had to finish eating the veggies before getting dessert. And why not? Healthy eating is a good practice that parents struggle to teach their kids from early on. It’s a fight that’s been going on for generations. There are many healthy habits kids need to learn from the get-go. Here are a few.
1. All-Around Healthy Eating
Eating veggies is a simple place to start, but kids need more than just a few greens to grow healthy eating habits. Try cutting back (or eliminating) processed foods. Try for foods that aren’t packed with sugar (like sodas or ice cream). Try, instead, lemonade or frozen yogurt. Avoiding the over-consumption of fast foods is important to a healthy diet.
2. Regular Check-ups
Part of developing healthy habits is making sure they get all of their regular check-ups. Pediatrician, eye doctor, dentist, whatever it might be, it is an important step in staying healthy. Kids’ changing bodies need doctors and their changing teeth need dentists. Staying up to date on visits with your general Dentist and your primary care physician can help guarantee long-lasting health in your children.
3. Exercise (a.k.a. PLAY!)
Staying active is vital for growing kids. When adults think of exercise, they think of going to the gym, lifting weights, or an assortment of other structured things. Kids find exercise in everything they do. Playing outside, biking, rollerblading or going to the pool to make their lives fun and full of activity. It promotes brain development, focus, and social skills. Make sure your kids are having time to play.
4. Doing Their Part
An important habit to get kids into is teaching them they are an active part of the family. They can begin helping around the house from a very young age. Not to mention, they love it. Kids like being able to imitate what their parents or older siblings are doing. Children feeling as if they are a contributing part of the family unit is important for their growth as a member of society.
5. Playing it Safe Outdoors
Get your kids into the habit of wearing sunscreen and/or bug spray when they spend time outside. Protection for harmful UV rays and from pest-spread diseases is important for everyone from toddler to adult. Make it a regular habit to practice safe outdoor play.
Start your kids on these healthy habits when they’re young and they will never know anything different. It will set them up for a healthier life for themselves and their own kids someday, too.
