5 Tips For a Healthy New Year

Welcome Year 2010! Let this be a year for being fit, having fun, spending time with family, and making healthy choices. Here are some tips and daily reminders for starting off the New Year right.

Tip 1: Do not let last year discourage you!

Let last year’s bumps in the road be a stepping stone for this year’s improvements. Focus on how you and your family can improve the food choices you make each day. For example, when you’re dining out, help each other choose healthier options from the menu. Encourage your family members to avoid the bread and butter before the meal is served and avoid heavy dressings and sauces that often contain hundreds of extra “hidden” calories. Remember to help each other out while dining out and also while at home. Everybody needs a support system.

Tip 2: Be smart! Do not let the mish mash of words advertised on food packages trick you.

Phrases such as “whole grain”, “no artificial flavors and colors added”, and “fortified with vitamins” do not necessarily indicate healthy and nutritious food options. Instead of trusting a food’s advertisements, check out its nutrition label. It would be helpful to compare two similar products and their calorie counts, grams of carbohydrate, and sugar content per serving. Remember, nutrition labels never lie!

Number 3: Have the whole family get involved and plan ahead.

Make a New Year’s Resolution to plan ahead. Set aside one half hour each night during the week, possibly right after dinner, to sit with your kids and plan the next day’s meals. First, plan a healthy and balanced meal for breakfast (aim to include at least one serving of fruit). A smoothie made with low-fat yogurt and varied fruit is a simple way to sneak much-needed fruit and dairy into breakfast. Yum!! Each week, one family member can be in charge of picking the smoothie flavors for the week. During this time you should also help each other pack lunch boxes for the following day. Planning ahead will give you and your family time to think clearly through each meal, becoming aware of your options and choices. Rushed choices are generally not the most nutritious. Planning ahead can lead to a much healthier diet!

Number 4: Be smart about food shopping.

First, remember to bring your list and if you usually do not bring one, start one! It is easy to get distracted with all of the advertisements on food packages. Sticking to your shopping list will help you avoid purchasing unnecessary and unhealthy items. Secondly, it is a good idea to have a snack before going food shopping. This will help you focus on the health value of what you are buying and not on what looks good for a snack at the moment. Hungry shoppers always buy more food! Snacking beforehand will also help you avoid “free samples” that add plenty of extra calories. Recently, even non-food stores have added snack sections offering sugary sodas, candy, and salty snacks to distracted and hungry customers. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a snack prior to leaving the house.

Number 5: Educate your children.

Lastly, it is important to talk to your kids and teach them how to make healthy choices. The best way to do this is to keep them involved. Instead of simply banning unhealthy foods from the house, explain to them why it is important to eat a healthy diet. Educate them by explaining that eating healthy at a young age leads to a healthy heart and body and will keep them feeling great for life! Explain the importance of eating a variety of different foods each day. You should also explain the importance of each food group. By researching and learning about healthy choices and diets together, you and your children can start off the New Year on the right food and create a live-able, easy, and fun pattern of eating.