Keeping Your Kids Healthy This Summer

Healthy eating may play a huge role in maintaining a kid’s immune system, according to the Let’s Move! Program. This program supports the idea that kids will usually eat what’s available and tries to surround them with healthy options — shooting for five servings of fruits and veggies a day. According to the program, healthy kids may be better able to ward off illness than those with poor sleep habits, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. Some tips from the program include the following:

• Pack a healthy snack on trips to the park. Carrot sticks and fruit are great choices.

• Offer juice with no added sugar or water as a drink.

• Try to include vegetables at mealtime and switch to low- or nonfat milk, yogurt and cheese.

• Remember portion control.

Eat together when possible — eating with your child is your chance to model good eating behaviors.