- Eat together as a family
One of the best ways to promote healthy eating habits is to eat together as a family and eating together is also a great opportunity to bond with your loved ones. Studies have shown that families who eat together tend to make healthier food choices.
How about making dinner times fun and letting the whole family have a go at choosing what is for dinner each night? Try and make sure you still have a variety of dishes and that all the different food groups are covered.
I like to theme nights: meat-free Monday, traybake Tuesday and fishy Friday are regulars for me. And talking of fish, I’ve recently discovered Fish for thought salmon who provide good quality fish online.
So turn off the TV and put away your phones, it’s time to enjoy a healthy meal with your loved ones and, if cooking meals from scratch isn’t realistic for your family, there are plenty of shortcuts you can take (frozen onions are a great one!) and there are always my super simple recipes which are aimed at busy people. Check out my batch cooking blog which contains ideas of how you can get ahead at the weekend.
2. Exercise together as a family
Just like eating healthy, exercising is a great way to bond with your family while promoting a healthy lifestyle. And it doesn’t have to be boring! There are plenty of fun ways to get active together: going for a walk or bike ride, playing tag, or even dancing around the living room!
Exercising as a family also sets a good example for kids: they’re more likely to adopt healthy habits if they see their parents and other loved ones active.
So get moving and have some fun! And if you need motivation, plenty of apps and websites offer workout ideas and tracking tools: just find one that works for you and your family and start getting active!
- Limit screen time for each family member.
In today’s world, it’s easy to get sucked into our screens but too much screen time can be detrimental to our health. It can lead to obesity, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.
A good rule of thumb is the “two-hour rule.” cThis includes TV, computers, phones, and tablets. Of course, exceptions will have to be made (like when you need to finish homework or work on a project) – make sure you are real!
4. Get enough sleep each night.
Getting enough sleep is vital for everyone in the family but it can be especially difficult for kids and teenagers. It’s essential to set a bedtime and stick to it.
A good rule is that kids should get at least nine hours of sleep each night, while adults should get seven to eight hours.
Getting enough sleep has been linked to better grades, improved moods, and even weight loss. So it’s worth trying to get your family into a healthy sleep routine!
