Tips for fit and healthy children
1. Less screen time. Children these days tend to sit in front of the television playing video games, sometimes for hours on end! Make sure your child is getting enough time outside to play and have fun outdoors. This also allows your children to get the exercise and vitamin D they need.
2. Serve nourishing food. You are responsible for what your child eats. Try and keep healthy food stocked in the fridge and pantry instead of junk food and snacks. Aim for 3 regular meals a day – making sure you include lots of protein in your child’s diet to support their growth and development. Avoid sugary cereals for breakfast and instead opt for something wholesome like oatmeal, toast with eggs and avocado, or a reheated meal from the night before if that’s something they’d enjoy (try not to be too prescriptive about what foods are eaten when – breakfast foods aren’t limited to toast and cereal..think outside the (cereal) box, so to speak! Don’t overdo it on the juice – juice on it’s own (with the fibre removed) can be quite unhealthy. Consider smoothies with some flax, berries, banana, nut milk and raw honey instead.
3. Sleep. Children need their full 8-10 hours of sleep. Try and create a consistent bedtime routine to encourage healthy sleep habits. Children are growing and using large amounts of energy. They desperately need the rest to allow their bodies to catch up. Try not to allow your children to negotiate their bedtime with you (as hard as that may be!).
4. Show your children plenty of love and attention. Show interest in what they are doing at the time. Love and attention is the greatest medicine there is – and it’s free!!