National Childhood Obesity Awarness Month (September).

 

 Approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese, according to the CDC, a figure health professionals consider an epidemic. September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, which recognizes the serious threat obesity poses to the health of America’s children and a call to action to eradicate it.

7 Easy and Effective Healthy Habits:

1.       Make Eating Healthy Foods Easy – cut up fruits and vegetables and have them in bowls in the front the refrigerator so they are easy to grab and eat.

2.       Have Family Fun Days – choose a physical activity your family enjoys and do it together on a regular basis.

3.       Prepare Healthy Meals Together – getting the whole family involved in preparing healthy meals not only teaches them about good nutrition but means they are more likely to eat it too!

4.       Minimize television and computer time – Keep tabs on how much screen time you allow you and your family each day.  Instead encourage them to get moving.

5.       Institute a Veggie or Fruit of the Week – try expanding your family’s produce palate by serving a new or unusual fruit or veggie once per week. Experiment with a new food like pomegranates or a different variety of something more familiar like squash.  Another option could be preparing a vegetable in a different (but healthy) way.

6.       Don’t Eat in Front of the TV – distractions often cause us to eat more or eat mindlessly, rather turn off the television and enjoy your food and your family.

7.       Find Comfort Elsewhere – Parents often use food as a way to make children feel better when they are sad, mad or unhappy.  Instead think of different ways to chase away the blues.  The same holds true for “rewards.”

4 “Kid-Approved” Recipes:

1.       Happy Veggie Sloppy Joes

2.       Chicken and Fruit Kebabs with Peachy Dipping Sauce

3.       Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pops

4.       Peanut Butter Snack Cups

** Full recipes, nutritional information and high-resolution photos available. Recipes made with Monk Fruit In The Raw, the wholesome, zero calorie sweetener made from fruit and the makers of Sugar In The Raw.