this is the final post in a series about the Benefits of Kids Drinking Milk. i have partnered with Milk Life to help parents become aware of some important findings about the benefits of their kids drinking milk. i recently had the opportunity to listen in on a detailed discussion by Registered Dietitian, Holley Grainger, who shared about theses benefits along with research provided from the American Academy of Pediatrics and MilkPEP. i was enlightened by the many nutritional benefits milk provides for kids. if you would like, you can read my first post about The Benefits of Drinking Milk. or my second post about A Day in the Life of Feeding my Kids.
in this post i wanted to point out some ways to help fuel a healthy life for kids and families. not only does nutrition play a big role in fueling a healthy life, there are many ways that you can fuel a healthy life in your family's lifestyle. the following points can lead to a healthy life in not only your kids, but also the entire family.
5 Ways to Fuel a Healthy Life
1) Family Time. enjoy quality family time together, whether it’s dinnertime, homework time or family game night.....time spent around at the table with family helps establish life-long healthy habits, in terms of both nutrition and lifestyle. setting specific times during the week for these type of activities create routine, open dialog with your children and time to enjoy each others company.
2) Outdoor Time. sunshine, fresh air and exercise can instantly bring up your mood and feeling of wellbeing. kids need the freedom to run and play, burn off extra energy and stay fit.
3) Down Time. kids need time to relax and rest. this could mean a nap, watching a movie or just laying around the house. down time is an important time for kids to slow down their bodies from our fast-paced lives and regroup their thoughts and feelings.
4) Dinner Time. it can be hard to find the time to sit at the dinner table together each night, but making it a priority is important. use this time to enjoy a healthy meal and chat about what happened during your days. and that bring us to our next point....
5) Nutrition. it is important to eat the rainbow – fruits, vegetables and also a good balance of dairy and proteins. moderation is key when it comes to sweets and treats.
as a parent, i know how important nutrition is for kids. currently, there is a big gap in the nutrition kids are getting nowadays. many kids are falling short on important nutrients including calcium, vitamin D and potassium. these are key nutrients that are found in milk. a lot of families have changed their diets from drinking milk to alternatives such as fortified drinks, soy or almond milk. the problem is, that these alternatives don't provide the same nutrients found in milk.
in case you missed the last post, here are some of the benefits of milk...
• Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients most likely to be missing from kids’ diets – calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
• Milk is a great way for kids to get their bone-building nutrients
• An 8-ounce glass of milk has 8 grams of high-quality protein.
• Milk provides 9 essential nutrients in each glass, milk is a delicious, easy and affordable way to give your kids protein plus other nutrients they need
• At just about 25 cents a glass, milk is one of the most affordable ways to give your kids nutritious protein. penny for penny, when it comes to protein, other sources like fish or beef can’t compare.
• An 8-ounce glass of dairy milk provides 8 times more protein than a glass of almond milk.
• Milk is a choice you can feel good about serving to your family. from the farm to the dairy plant to the grocery store, milk is one of safest foods you can buy.
the saying is true, Milk Does the Body Good! head over to MilkLife.com for more milk information and recipes. now here's the fun part....you could win a month of FREE milk, and that would be awesome.
WIN A MONTH OF FREE MILK!!!!
Giveaway!!! (2) winners will receive a gift card worth the amount of a month’s supply of milk (valued at $18)! winners will be chosen randomly on November 16, 2015 at midnight. to enter, answer this question in the comments section below: How do you provide a healthy lifestyle for your family? good luck!
Carrie Kleckner
We are so active. Husband walks miles all night long for his 12 hours of work as a conductor in the railroad. He works in the train yard & checks every train before it goes out. My oldest is a personal trainer at LA Fitness in Corona. The 16 year old is a skateboarder & a weight lifter, & the 11 & 9 year olds are constantly going. With baseball to playing on our land to riding their bikes the 5 miles that I run almost everyday with me, we are all active! I have the biggest fruit bowl & it's always full of fruit & sitting right smack dab in their face in the kitchen. I only buy fast food on Fridays for my family & try to cook my family dinner every night. It's not always a perfect equation but I try!
shannon R
My kids are very picky eaters, but they love milk, so I am happy about that. They know that the calcium in milk is really good for their bones and growth. I try to give them their favorite vegetables and fruits during snack time. I I also try to educate them about the different types of food and how they can damage the body or how they can benefit the body. I dont just tell them that too much candy is bad for you, dont eat it. I tell them why, and what it can do to the body. They know about processed meats like hotdogs and bolognes and how they are made and that it can cause cancer and other health cond., so they dont ever ask for those anymore, nor will they touch it even if someone serves them. They also know which food groups are protein and carbohydrates and what they can do for the body.
Hope
As a mom of three kiddos, I make sure they get enough fruits and vegetables in their day. We are not big milk drinkers, but I use it in smoothies, chocolate milk and cereal so that they get the benefits of the calcium and good vitamins. I've even made homemade yogurt and ice cream just to sneak it into their diet.
Jen F.
My kids are very active, and seem to be constantly snacking. I offer them healthy snack foods between meals, serve balanced meals which include milk, but also allow them some sweets in moderation. I don't want to deny them "bad" foods because I think it will only make them want it more, and get sneaky as they get older...maybe I'm just speaking from my own experience! We make it a point to be active, eat healthy, and get good sleep.
Donna Claxton
I provide a healthy lifestyle for my family, by first making their meals, I believe in cooking and baking from scratch. I believe strongly in knowing your ingredients, the more you know what you consume, you will be in control of your well being and lifestyle. I myself and kids drink whole milk everyday, there are so many nutrients in milk that benefit their growing body and is very important to thier health.
Bridget
Being mindful about our choices, and striving for balance not perfection in everything we eat, do and want.
Goldie
Healthy lifestyle for my family starts in the kitchen. Most of our meals are home cooked with fresh ingredients. This helps in keeping them fit and active through the day.
anna
That is an EXCELLENT question. It is often hard to provide a healthy lifestyle for my family because we are so busy with school, sports and so much more. One thing that is super important to my husband and I is that we have dinner with our children, as a family, every night..even on nights that we have sports. We are able to talk with our children about life and good choices that we can make in school, with our friends and the way we eat. Also, my children help me make dinner every night. It helps them see what we are putting in our foods/bodies. Every free opportunity we have, my husband and I walk while our children ride their bikes...
Emily
We try to model good practices by eating healthy and exercising. I like to cook healthy, homemade meals using fresh ingredients. Our kids stay active playing outside and participating in sports. We also spend time as a family riding bikes, talking walks, and swimming.
Sunny s
We try to be balanced as we eat healthy. Trying to add a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Laura J
My New years resolution this year was to learn to cook healthier for my family! I have learned so much, but have so much to learn yet! But...I know its healthier that it was before. We try to stay active by visiting local parks, taking bike rides...and the dogs for daily walks!
Madeline
We always eat dinner together and include vegetables, fruit, and healthy protein.
Gina M
I provide a healthy lifestyle by keeping lots of nourishing foods on hand, and encouraging physical exercise. I also try to set a good example for my son.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Linda
I always fill the house with fresh veggies and fruits, make homecooked meals when I can and make extra to freeze for easy, healthy options at other times and as a family, we spend a lot of time outside being active.
manda
We eat local veggies, fruits, and meats when possible.
Elle
I always try to make balanced meals and plan outdoor activities when the weather allows.
sandyhills
I'd have to say that we start with a great exercise regimen
Cami v
We make sure they have a healthy lifestyle by drinking milk and water. We eat a balanced diet. We have outside daily play.
Glen Danielsen
Jill! Love your posts!