Healthy Highlights
Emotional Impact of Food Allergies on Parents and Children
Food allergies can be frightening, and they are becoming more prevalent especially in children. Supporting children who have food allergies and learning new ways to help families manage these allergies has become vital as currently 32 million people in the United States suffer with food allergies, and 5.6 million are children.2 Food allergies are increasing.…
Healthy Holiday Recipes: From our Home to Yours!
The holiday season is here, and, for many people, the holidays are full of traditions. Families and friends gather around dining room tables and kitchen counters to enjoy each other, fun activities, and FOOD! Often at the center of many traditions, food can have meaning and history: turkey is served for Thanksgiving, latkes are eaten…
How do I get my child involved in sports and fitness activities?
Childhood is about having fun and learning how to do things and about one’s world. Parents can help guide their children through many of life’s different scenarios, such as teaching children how to count, brush teeth, or interact with others. However, children can also learn many life skills and lessons by participating in sports or…
Shake the Sugar
Not all sugar is created equal. What does that mean? There are natural sugars and added sugars. Natural sugars are found in many whole foods that Americans eat on a daily basis, like grains, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables (American Heart Association, 2018; Harvard Health Publishing, 2017). In fact, the natural sugars found in these…
Too much screen time?
Having the use of screens, computers, smartphones, and tablets, just to name a few, has given individuals the ability to be anywhere at any moment and allowed people to live in a global community. Video chatting, social networks, and the internet have changed the way we interact with each other and the way children learn.…
Family mealtime can happen during breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Mealtimes can offer a sense of familiarity and security and can provide opportunities to connect with others. Mealtimes can be about promoting good habits and offering a safe place to discuss positive and challenging situations or topics. Starting at a young age, children begin to notice and follow adults’ behaviors, such as, eating food that…
Fruits and Vegetables Month
Food can be fun! Colorful fruits and vegetables are a great way to add brightness to your plate and entice your taste buds. You can find a variety of fresh produce at local farmers’ markets. Visiting your local farmers’ markets can be an exciting family outing! You can gather fresh ingredients and colorful fruits and…
Fit Family: Being Active Together
Physical activity should be included in the daily lives of children, and parents should serve as active role models. Research indicates that multiple benefits of mental and overall physical health occur from being active (Moore, 2008). A simple way to incorporate physical activity in our daily routine is to plan activities that include the entire…
April is Month of the Military Child
According to the Department of Defense, there are more than 1.7 million military children worldwide. To honor the unique sacrifices of children whose parents serve in the military, each April is designated as the Month of the Military Child. Here are some ways you can show your support for military families and military children: Read…
Jump Into Spring and Get Your Family Moving!
Spring is here, and this means warm, sunny weather is right around the corner! Spring and summer days provide us with more hours of daylight and more opportunities to be active with our families after the work day! The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children engage in aerobic activities for…