Healthy Kids, Happy Family

The habits we form as kids can last a lifetime. Why not start your children off with healthy habits that can help them grow strong and stay well? Try these tips from Gary Emmett, M.D., director of inpatient pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, to raise healthy children and stress less.

Help everyone eat well
Good eating habits can help kids stay at a healthy weight. Add more veggies to dishes, swap sugary drinks for water, and buy better-for-you snacks. Fruit and low-fat yogurt are great options. Pack wholesome lunches when you can, and let kids help plan dinners. Baby on board? “Eat a balanced diet so your baby has a balanced diet,” Dr. Emmett says.

Avoid smoking
If you smoke, you’ll do yourself and your family a big favor by quitting. Ask your doctor for help, and check out free resources like smokefree.gov. Always keep smoke and cigarettes away from young children. They’re at risk for lung and ear infections, and they may try to eat cigarettes. Also, store any medications and alcohol away from children’s reach.

Teach good hygiene
Germs are everywhere, and you don’t need to worry about normal exposure to them, Dr. Emmett says. But to limit illnesses, teach children to avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Encourage them to wash their hands with soap and water before eating as well as after using the bathroom, touching pets, or playing outside.

Buy a well-fitted helmet
Keep kids safe from head injuries when they’re biking or skating by investing in a helmet. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but look for a sticker that says it meets the standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Encourage healthy activities
For a healthy body and mind, children should have opportunities for both active and quiet play. “A good childhood involves an hour of running and an hour of reading every day,” Dr. Emmett says. Try to limit TV to 1 to 2 hours a day.