Summer is finally here, which means that your children are going to be home for a large portion of their precious time. On top of that, it also means that you will have to get kind of creative about ways to keep your kids eating healthy while they experience childhood in the summertime. Parties, get-togethers, sleepovers, and general laziness can wreak havoc on a healthy child’s well-being, and it is our job as parents to make sure this doesn’t happen. After all, creating good habits today is what will ensure our children have a healthy and happy future tomorrow.
1. Make Your Own Popsicles and Ice Cream
Nothing says summer like some chilly popsicles or some delicious ice cream. However, these tasty treats can be full of calories, additives, preservatives, and other nastiness that most parents prefer not to give to their little ones. Keeping your kids eating healthy does not require them to miss out on all the fun. In fact, making your own popsicles from fresh fruit juices and/or ice cream from diligently selected milk and sweetener can become an exciting group activity that allows you all to customize your own flavors.
2. Offer Fresh Fruit for That Quick Snack
In the summertime, kids wants to romp around and play; they do not want to sit down for some lengthy snack or meal. This often translates into them munching on unhealthy snacks, but you can put a stop to that. Instead of giving your kids a bunch of processed foods (that often require some preparation), why not give them some fresh fruit instead? It is much healthier and a whole lot easier to serve, not to mention more delicious.
3. Serve Flavored Water over Sugary Drinks
Your busy children will most likely get thirsty from time to time this summer, and what you offer them can make a big difference in their overall health. Make sure that you are keeping your kids eating healthy all summer by giving them the best beverages. Offer some chilled water, flavored with fruits or vitamin-fortified flavorings, instead of soft drinks or sugary fruit juices. Just make sure that you double check the sugar and caffeine content on those water flavorings so you don’t accidently get your kids all wired with too much energy. Keeping your children healthy during the summer is not a difficult task if you prepare yourself.