Do you ever find yourself barely having time to eat lunch or dinner, let alone being careful or picky about what or where? It’s a simple byproduct of today’s more Practical Tips hectic lifestyle two-working-family-itis.
And sure, very few of us are perfect. But those in that category can no doubt do a better job of eating better at least some of the time.
Well, with a little planning and a few minor adjustments, you and your family can be on the road to a healthier diet and more active lifestyle. Here are a few good ways to start down that path.
Set Small, Realistic Goals
Have a family meeting about nutrition, ask your children to come up with ways to eat better and exercise, and work together to set individual and group goals. If your preschooler refuses to eat vegetables, for example, start by just placing a carrot or one pea on their plate. Work up to having them touch it, smell it, or even lick it. And yes, “patience” will usually pay dividends, and a lot sooner than you might think.
Small Changes
Are you looking to cut down on sweets or processed food, or incorporate more veggies into your diet? First, don’t try to tackle everything at once. Instead, make one small change a week. If, for example, your week is full of take-out or instant entrees, commit to making at least one home-cooked meal. Replace the sugary cereal with a more nutritious option,or use honey or other natural sweeteners in your baking instead of refined sugar.
Meal Plan
You were hung up at work, your son has baseball practice in an hour, and you hear “What’s for dinner?” On nights like these, it’s so tempting to reach for the blue box of mac n’ cheese or those frozen chicken nuggets. They’re quick, but not exactly nutritious. Instead, make a dinner plan for the week that factors in healthier options. Then prepare multiple meals in advance so you don’t have stress about making the same decision day after day.
Dine Together
Not only does family mealtime allow everyone to slow down a bit and catch up, research shows that children who routinely eat meals with their families perform better at school, have higher self-esteem, and lower risk of obesity and eating disorders.
Get Moving
Better eating habits alone won’t get you to your “feeling better” goal. Set aside time for walking, hiking, riding your bike and turn solo activities into family outings.
All that new exercise will probably lead to more hot showers and baths. So, if your water heater isn’t up to the increased demand, contact Norhio Plumbing so we can repair or recommend replacing your system as needed.
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