Friday

Tips for Growing Healthy Together as a Family

As parents, we have to model the healthy behaviour we want our children to follow. And we have to start early.


Eat Well


As soon as a child can take solid food, introduce a variety of nutritious food including fruits and vegetables. If your child reject the taste, you will have to persist. Reduce the quantity and use positive reinforcement to get your child to gradually accept the food.


Stick to a routine for meals. Eat at the same time each day and avoid eating in front of the TV. Eat together as a family and enjoy the company of one another.


Restrict TV Time


TV is responsible for many bad habits including sedentary lifestyle, snacking and staying up late. Do control the TV watching time for your children. Set a limit of no more than 1 - 2 hours each day.


Exercise Regularly


Encourage children to spend at least an hour a day outside the house. It will help to prevent myopia while encouraging physical activities. Play catch or hide-and-seek or ball games. Make it fun and do not focus on exercising. Let children be children and play. Play along with them.


Sleep Well


Get enough sleep. That includes the parents. Enough said. Many parents will feel that they do not have enough time in a day. After spending time taking care of the family, they still want their TV time. Think about it. Is it a good trade-off? Stay real. TV is only TV. It is not an essential part of your life.