Tip Tuesday: 7 days – 7 ways – to help kids thrive

By Michael W. Rosen, M.D.

Raising kids to have good health habits is sometimes easier said than done. Maybe your child's frantic morning hunt for a misplaced backpack bumps a healthy breakfast. Or, you may have a child who seems much more fond of lounging on the couch than riding a bike.

But, even if every day isn't pure perfection, it's still important to do what you can to promote healthful behaviors. Take food and activity, for example. The habits your children establish now can help them maintain a healthy weight — possibly for years to come.

So, how about taking a week to try out a few good habits? Just take it one day at a time:

Monday: Add berries to your child's breakfast cereal. Bonus points: Make it a low-sugar whole-grain cereal — served with low-fat milk.

A habit to hold on to: Give your kids a nutritious start to the day.

Tuesday: Put the kids in charge of setting the table for dinner together.

A habit to hold on to: Enjoy more shared mealtimes each week. Families who do tend to eat better.

Wednesday: Set a family screen-time limit of two hours a day — for TV viewing, that should be quality programming only. And, vow that you'll follow it, too. Remember, no screen time is best for children ages 2 years or younger.

A habit to hold on to: Spend less sedentary time with electronics, including TVs, computers, video games and wireless devices.

Thursday: Make it kids-in-the-kitchen night! Help them plan a healthful menu. Ask them to pick produce they like — and let them stir the soup or toss the salad.

A habit to hold on to: Get your kids involved in food choices and preparation. They'll likely be more willing to sample new foods.

Friday: Ask your child to come out and play. Maybe it's kickball, tag or tennis.

A habit to hold on to: Encourage plenty of physical activity. Kids need at least 60 minutes a day of it.

Saturday: At the grocery store, dub your child the label inspector. He or she may be quite proud to help you compare Nutrition Facts on products.

A habit to hold on to: Teach kids to make wise nutritional choices and purchases.

Sunday: Place baggies of cut-up veggies and fruit in the fridge for the week ahead. Point kids to these grab-and-go snacks.

A habit to hold on to: Make healthful snack options easy for kids to choose.

Try to keep up these positive steps — and add new ones as you can. Soon, good habits will be second nature to your family. Click here for more information and additional links.