Healthy eating is essential at every age. Use the information and resources below to help you and your family live a healthy, active lifestyle.

Eating well

Collage of parents and children preparing and eating healthy snacks and meals

Parents help their children develop good eating habits when they:

  • Regularly provide family meals and snacks.
  • Do not pressure kids to eat foods they do not like.
  • Encourage children to stop eating when full.
  • Offer meals and snacks that are nutritious and good tasting.
  • Keep mealtimes pleasant.
  • Teach children how to deal with uncomfortable feelings without eating (without using food for comfort or reward).
  • Allow children to decide whether or not to eat and how much to eat.
  • Keep the TV turned off during meals.

Living actively

Dad and children playing soccer

Here are some ways parents can get their children moving:

  • Be physically active role models.
  • Encourage children to be moderately active at least 60 minutes on most days.
  • Move the TV out of bedrooms.
  • Set limits on the amount of time the family watches TV, works on the computer and plays video games.
  • Teach children games that you liked as a child.
  • Make opportunities for active family recreation like playing ball, hiking or camping.
  • Volunteer to help with your child’s after-school activities or sports.

Read full article

Featured recipe: Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups broccoli washed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 3/4 cup radishes, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2½ tablespoons yogurt plain, low-fat
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine or apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine broccoli, onions, raisins and radishes.
  2. In a small bowl, blend mayonnaise, yogurt, sugar and vinegar.
  3. Pour dressing over broccoli and mix well.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

(recipe from seasonal and simple app)