6 Practical Ways to Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle in Your Kids

Making healthy choices isn’t easy, regardless of whether you are 50 or 5. Face it, when it’s 7 pm, and you are still in the office finishing up a seemingly bottomless pile of paperwork, that candy dish on your co-worker’s desk looks a lot better than the apple you brought.

We’ve all been there. But what ultimately leads you to reject the candy and choose the apple? Chances are it’s something you learned from someone you respect, says Caryn B. McAllister, PT, DPT, CEO, and the team of dedicated professionals at HQHT Pediatrics at High Quality Home Therapy.

In this blog, we share our insights on ways parents and caregivers can encourage a healthy lifestyle for their children.

Why developing healthy habits early matters

It’s natural to wonder if it really amounts to much to encourage kids to live healthily when they’re younger. After all, when they become adults, they can make their own choices. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, healthy habits developed in youth create a strong foundation for lifelong healthy living.

Model healthy habits

Perhaps the best way for parents and caregivers to encourage a healthy lifestyle in their children is to model healthy habits. The inconvenient truth is that it’s difficult to teach someone to adopt a habit or idea if your words and actions aren’t consistent. Make healthy living a priority for your family.

Remember, encouraging living healthy doesn’t have to be boring and preachy. Get your kids involved to create fun and playful ways to get your point across.

Support healthy eating habits

It’s no secret that eating well-balanced meals can help avoid issues like high blood pressure and diabetes. Get your kids on the fast track of understanding the importance of a well-balanced diet by preparing meals that include lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Jam-packed schedules may make it hard to eat every meal at home, but choose restaurant and take-out meals carefully. Get your kids involved in meal prep or allow them to pick meals. These tactics can create playful teaching moments.

Limit ultra-processed, sugary, and salty foods

Similarly, cut down on processed foods and snacks. While packaged and frozen meals save you time in meal preparation, they contain a lot of carbs, salt, and sugar. Carefully read the ingredient labels and do your best to avoid ultra-processed foods. Think healthy nuts, vegetables, and fruit.

Incorporate physical activity into daily living

Plan family activities that make it fun and involve getting up and being active. Start brainstorming with four or five activities that everyone likes. Not everyone will be interested in all the activities; be flexible so each child can choose their own activity.

Over 20% of children in the United States are obese. Getting them accustomed to being active will serve them well.

Cut down on screen time

An added plus in prioritizing physical activity is that it prevents them from spending too much time on cellphones, computers, iPads, and television screens. That means you need to show you can step away from your devices, too. Create a reward system for screen time for things like getting exercise or completing chores.

Develop good sleep hygiene habits

Create consistent bedtimes and stick with them. Create good sleep hygiene habits, like washing their face and brushing their teeth, to act as cues to start bedtime prep. Like adults, kids need sufficient restful sleep for their minds and their bodies to function properly. Did you know that most kids need more sleep than adults? Remarkably, inadequate sleep links with obesity.

Watch for signs of developmental, social, or motor skill issues

While trying to instill a commitment to healthy living, be vigilant to signs of social, developmental, or motor skill challenges. Remember, you are an expert on your child; if you notice something amiss, contact us at HQHT Pediatrics.

Our multidisciplinary team includes speech, language, and social-cognitive skills experts, and pediatric occupational and physical therapists. Our providers are committed to high-quality care for their young clients and families.

We offer services at our beautiful Stamford office. For our clients’ convenience, we offer some services at home or in the community based on their needs and families.

If you have concerns about your child’s physical, social, or language skills or think they may have developmental issues, contact HQHT Pediatrics in Stamford, Connecticut, today or use our online feature to schedule an appointment.

To get started, complete a pediatric intake form. Our compassionate team of dedicated professionals is here to help.