Go on a bike ride, take a walk as a family after dinner, shoot some hoops, play Frisbee or a game of tag. Get outside with your kid at least once a day - even if it’s not for a full hour, some activity is better than none. What to do: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 60 minutes of daily exercise. Yet playing outdoors is great for kids’ motor development, vision, vitamin D level and mental health. Half of preschool kids are not being taken outside to play every day by either parent, a recent study found. Limit the overall amount of time spent in front the TV, computer or video games to two hours per day, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics. For older kids, keep TVs out of kids’ bedrooms and declare a “no media” rule during meal time. What to do: For children younger than two, avoid TV altogether. And too much TV at a young age can result in bigger waistlines and a lower ability to play sports by the end of fourth grade, according to a study at University of Montreal. Plus, a Pediatrics study showed that video games are associated with attention problems in kids and young adults. Watching fast-paced cartoons interfered with toddlers’ attention spans and organizational skills, studies suggest. Multiple studies show that too much TV and computer time is bad for kids. For late risers, send them off to school with easy-to-grab foods such as hard-boiled eggs or an English muffin with peanut butter, says Lemond. To keep them fuller longer, serve meals that contain protein, fiber and healthy fats (try scrambled egg in a whole wheat tortilla with low-fat cheese or avocado). What to do: Get kids up a few minutes earlier so they have time for breakfast. Kids who do eat breakfast are less irritable and better able to process information, pay attention and do well on tests. “There’s evidence that skipping breakfast is associated with a risk of being overweight and making poor food choices later in the day,” says Angela Lemond, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Kids skip breakfast more than any other meal of the day and the consequences are pretty dangerous. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) Kern Halls, 37, cooked a meal for the First Lady and his family based on the principles of "My Plate," a new USDA nutrition system that aims to replace the old pyramid system. At snack time give them whole foods, like apples with a smear of peanut butter, crackers and low-fat cheese or Greek yogurt with real fruit, says King.įirst Lady Michelle Obama has dinner with members of the Halls family at their home in Ocoee, Fla., Feb. What to do: Offer water, water flavored with just a drizzle of fruit juice or low-fat milk instead of soda, juice and fruit juice drinks. “Even beverages such as energy drinks contain few nutrients and lots of added sugar, which translates into calories your child doesn’t need.” “Many snacks that seem ‘healthy,’ such as granola bars, contain a lot of added sugar,” says Kristi King, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Here’s how to help your child break them for good.īad Habit: Devouring Seemingly Healthy Snacks and Drinks That Are Loaded with Sugar The bad habits kids learn in childhood can last a lifetime. The editors of iVillage asked readers to share their own strategies for making changes stick in their families. She worked with the editors there to create a weeklong series of great articles and videos with advice for families looking to Rev Up their Back to School Routine and introduce healthy new habits for everyone in the household. Ed note: This week, First Lady Michelle Obama is guest editing the iVillage website.
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