1. Drink more water
Most of us actually don’t drink enough water. Do you know over 60% of our body is made up of water? Water is essential to carry out functions throughout our body, it is needed to remove waste and carry nutrients and oxygen around our body and we couldn’t survive without it! Around 1250ml of water consumed daily for each 30kg of bodyweight is a great basic guideline.
2. Exercise daily
Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore, find fun ways to get fit whether it may be as a family playing in the park, swimming at the beach or local pools, shooting some hoops or kicking a ball…. or you could always try joining a local sports team. This can be a great way to meet new friends and encourage confidence for all ages. Try and introduce kids to a variety of sports and you might be surprised at what they will enjoy, and remember they might not always want to play the same sports mum and dad did!
3. The Glycemic Index
Learn how the Glycemic Index works and how your child’s body or your own will respond to certain foods. This can play an important part in forming the base of a strong foundation which supports healthy eating habits in the future. The glycemic index "GI" is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating that particular food. The effects that different foods have on blood sugar levels vary considerably. Foods with a high GI ranking are those which are quickly digested and absorbed by the body and result in rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, due to their nature of slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels.
Health benefits of low glycemic foods.
4. Eat a variety of fruit
Fruits have amazing properties they are rich in vitamins, minerals, micro- nutrients and anti-oxidants which helps the body protect and rejuvenate cells, tissues and organs. They are a great source of dietary fibre and best of all they taste great and are so convenient to eat! So try eating a variety of fruits daily as they each have their own benefits and qualities.
5. Get enough sleep
Regular sleeping habits play a crucial part in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Sleep is a period where the body’s cells are doing a lot of repairing. Your cells produce more protein while you are sleeping and these protein molecules form the building blocks for cells, allowing them to repair damage. Maintaining regular sleeping patterns have shown numerous benefits towards heart health, reducing stress and inflammation, aiding brain and memory function and supporting healthy body weight. Research has shown children aged 3-6 years should sleep 10-12 hours per day 7-12 years old 10-11 hours per day and 12-18 years old 8-9 hours per day.
6. Don’t skip breakfast
Our bodies need constant refueling and the longest period without fuel is when we sleep. Our blood sugar levels drop during this time so when we rise for the day we need to supply the body with a fresh source of energy to get us going. A balanced breakfast made up of carbohydrates, protein, fibre and essential fats will get our metabolism firing and help give the body a much needed kick-start for the day. Research studies indicate that children who eat breakfast perform better on cognitive (learning, thinking) tests and in school. This also goes for parents in the work place!
7. Family Time
Set aside time in the weekend or one night after work when everyone’s home to do something as a family. It can be a great idea to get out of the house where possible to avoid distractions and leave your phones at home! Even a family walk where the kids can scooter or ride their bikes and mum and dad can beat the feet works wonders. Try feeding the ducks or play a round of mini golf, visit a local market, see a movie…. Just do things as a family break the normal routine of life and it will strengthen your family bonds and allows you to share quality time together.
8. Try new things
This includes activities, food, hobbies, books, music, places, you name it! It’s an amazing world out there with so much to offer so get out there as a family and try new things! Put some effort in and you will be amazed at what you will get back. Indoor rock-climbing, arts and crafts, Vietnamese food, go to the library and all choose a book, visit a new beach, go for a bush walk, go to an outdoor concert. The opportunities are endless challenge yourselves, open your senses and explore. Who knows you might even find something you all like!
9. Routine
Establish routines as a family. Kids respond well to organization and structure. They may not always agree with it but the fact is it works. Most households already have some form of routine in place, whether it is as simple as regular bath time, brushing teeth, bedtimes, and meal times. These predictable and constant schedules help keep children comfortable in their environment and create security for them as they know what to expect and what is expected of them. Keep it simple and try occasionally introducing one new element to your weekly routine that might benefit you as a parent or your family and stick to it, only once it is well established and part of daily life try introducing something else.
10. Eat nuts and seeds
Eating small quantities of nuts and seeds close to their natural state (meaning without added salt or sugar) is a great addition to anyone’s diet. Just a handful alone packs a nutritional punch. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fats. They supply a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are essential for managing inflammation and maintaining the normal structure of every cell in our bodies. Nuts and seeds are also high energy foods containing a lot of calories and can be a good source of protein. Some of our favourite nuts and seeds due to their properties and taste are pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans and peanuts. Just remember they can be a choking hazard for small children.
11. Eat whole grain
Grains, especially whole grains, are an essential part of a healthy diet. Whole grains are unrefined grains that haven't had their bran and germ removed by milling. Whole grains provide a better source of fibre and other important nutrients, such as vitamin B, selenium, potassium, iron and magnesium than refined grains. They also contain antioxidants which help keep your body strong and healthy. In fact, there are antioxidants present in whole grains that are not found in any fruits and vegetables. A diet that is rich in whole grain foods can also help to regulate blood sugar levels as most whole grain foods are low to moderate GI. Some common examples of whole grains in single foods are fresh corn on the cob, popcorn, oats, quinoa, and brown rice. Whole grains can also become part of the ingredients in products such as buckwheat in pancakes, waffles and baking or whole wheat is commonly found in breads.
]]>2. When cooking your dinner meals think about the next day’s lunches. It can be a great time to cut up some extra veggies so the lunch boxes can be filled easily the next morning. Veggies such as peppers, onions and celery will last for a few days in the fridge in an airtight container diced up and ready to go, and most other fruit and veggies will be fine overnight once refrigerated. One quick dicing session can save you time and multiple clean ups and only makes the process of cooking the next nights dinner or creating the next day’s lunches during the morning rush much easier.
3. Try and do smaller regular shops, say once a week for most items based on your meal plan.
For certain items such as fruits and vegetables and some refrigerated goods we would recommend a small shop twice weekly as some items may not survive the week if bought in bulk. Regular food shops with a structured meal plan and shopping list can save additional trips to the supermarket for missed ingredients saving a lot of wasted time and helps to keep food waste to a minimum. It also helps remove impulse buying especially for snacks and treats that always tend to look at us from supermarket shelves!
4. Meal planning can help improve your family’s eating habits and nutrition. When it’s on paper you can see what’s being eaten for the week and create a balanced nutritious menu filled with variety. It also prepares the kids for what they will be eating and stops them squeaking at you about what’s for tea! It’s simple look on the fridge! Choose a night a week that the kids help you in the kitchen, the younger ones really benefit from this as they tend to eat more of the things they have put their energy and creativity into! You might even be amazed how good little helpers can be too!
5. On certain nights when cooking, work out your quantities to ensure you have leftovers. For example make a bigger pasta brew as this can make a great lunch the next day, or freeze portion sized containers so you have an emergency dinner on hand one night for the kids. Another idea is to cook an extra portion of steak, chicken or fish…. it can be easily diced up and placed in a wrap, sandwich or wholemeal roll the next day.
6. Think about your daily routine when writing up your meal plan. Choose meals requiring longer preparation time on the days you have the most free time. We all know how hectic life can be so work your meal plan around those after school sports, gym and late finishes! Plan the quick and easy meals for your busier days and save yourself some stress.
7. Reuse and file your meal plans. Once a meal gets the seal of approval from the family mark it and keep that recipe in the rotation. Once you have multiple recipes or family favourites that you know well begin to rotate them over the coming weeks or month. Once a week try to introduce and cook something new. You won’t always keep everyone happy but you’ll be sure to satisfy even the fussy eaters with some trial and error!
8. Every fortnight have a cheap family night out at a restaurant, or if it’s more convenient or better suited to your budget have a takeaway night. But try and make healthy choices where possible. If you put some effort in you will be amazed what you can find even on a budget. Some great options are Japanese or Asian, Pita Pit, Subway, Kebabs…to name a few. If going to burger chains choose grilled instead of fried, don’t upsize! No one needs it! Even try to drop the soda and fries as you will receive enough calories in most burgers alone to fuel anyone’s body.
9. Involve your family in the decision making process of what’s on the menu for the week.
Once a week have a certain day where an alternate family member has their meal pick for that week. This tends to work well for kids, as the thought of knowing that there night of choice will come around they will be more likely to accept another family members choices, and potentially be more willing help prepare a meal even if it is only on their night!
10. Make your meal plan visible so you stick to it! Organisation and preparation is the key to eating cleanly and making healthy food choices for your family. Have your shopping list alongside your meal planner so it is easy to cross reference what ingredients you may need for upcoming meals, having it visible can also help you co-ordinate certain meals when food items are on special helping to save money and eliminating a mad dash to the supermarket
]]>Kick start there day with a balanced breakfast. It is a relatively low cost meal and one of the easiest to prepare. When choosing cereals or toast stick to wholegrain options where possible. Low fat milk is a great source of protein to compliment cereal or offer a small glass approx 200ml as a side with toast.