Sharon Griffin Ph.D., a licensed nutritionist, discusses the positive impact of eating healthy foods and suggests taking small steps to change behavior.
Focus on Diet and Exercise
Healthy eating is not only a key strategy to preventing heart disease, it also helps avoid the risks that lead to heart disease: obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. On this page you will tips and ideas on planning, shopping, and cooking meals that will appeal to many different appetites. You will also find links to organizations in our area dedicated to healthy eating and heart healthy activity.
PBS Nutrition Web Sites for Kids
Help your kids Take One Step and establish healthy habits for a lifetime.
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Sesame StreetFast Food Surprises
Fast-food chains have noticed that consumers are more health-conscious, and as a result many chains are adding healthier choices to their menus. Next time you're on the run just follow these basic guidelines:
- Don't Supersize
- Choose beverages that do more than just wash your food down such as juice or low fat milk. Drink plenty of water rather than soda, choose diet if you must have soda.
- Don't add on too much extra fat (mayo, dressing, cheese).
- Avoid fried foods.
- If you are ordering a "kids meal" order milk or orange juice instead of pop. It cost the same!
- Enjoy your meal
Click here for examples of some of these better alternativesFamily Fitness Fun - When you Take One Step, your kids will too!
When you make physical activity a family activity, you not only reduce your child's risk factors for heart disease and other illnesses, you help yourself too. One of the best ways to get kids moving is for you to participate with them. Not only is it healthy, it's a way for families to relax and relate. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate regular physical activity into your family's hectic schedule:
- In the time that it takes to watch a sitcom, take a walk instead. Walking and talking is a wonderful way to spend quality time together.
- Put on the radio or CD player and dance! Young kids love to move. Dancing helps them channel their energy as they exercise.
- Limit screen time. Even if kids can't play outside, they can play active indoor games like charades.
- Take your kids to the mall with a different mission. Before you shop, take a brisk walk around the mall. You can plan your errands as you walk.
- Challenge your kids to take the stairs with you. See who can get to the top first!
- Play a simple game of catch, follow the leader, or hop-scotch. Show that exercise doesn't have to involve fancy gadgets.
- Plan a regular trip to a park, playground, or other open space. Walk there instead of taking the bus or car! Spend at least 30 minutes running, walking, climbing, or jumping.
- Dust off your bicycle and take a spin around the neighborhood. A short trip is all you need to get the heart pumping.
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