We know we have lots of parents here at
Sandia Village, and we’re always looking for ways to make your lives easier.
While there are lots of stressful jobs out
there, parenting has got to be the hardest. But it can be surprisingly easy to
let the chaos and stress of parenting to take a toll on your physical health
and well being.
If you’re a busy parent with little time to
focus on yourself or your child’s health, there are things that you can do to
minimize the impact on your family’s well-being and stay focused on your
responsibilities as a parent. The American Heart Association has published a very
helpful guide for parents in your situation. Here are some of our
favorite tips:
Start
With A Plan
Not surprisingly, the best time to make a
meal plan isn’t when you’re hungry and need to eat right away. Make a list —
and check it twice.
“We try to plan at least a few days ahead
which meals we are going to make based on the days we have time to cook,” he
said. “We always shop with a grocery list based on that menu, we don’t shop
hungry and we make enough to have leftovers.”
Invest a couple of hours on the weekend to
save anxiety as well as time on extra trips to the grocery store. Make large
batches and freeze leftovers in individual portions for healthy, homemade
microwaveable convenience meals.
Get
Your Kids In The Kitchen
Holly DuBois, who lives in San Antonio,
gets her kids in the kitchen every chance she gets.
DuBois and her husband, Josh, both work in
the healthcare profession. With a family history of obesity, they make sure
their kids eat a healthy, balanced diet, but they don’t forbid treats. “Cooking
for me personally has been a fun, stress-relieving activity that I’ve grown to
love,” DuBois said. “I want them to share in it and enjoy it so it’s not a
burden.”
My
child is home alone. How can I help her eat healthy?
If you plan ahead, it’s pretty easy to help
your child make good choices without any difficulty or dangerous prep work. Feest
suggests:
● Peanut
butter and jelly with no-sugar added jelly on whole-wheat bread
● Grilled
fish sandwich. Keep spinach and tomatoes (sliced ahead of time) handy to add
flavor and nutrients
● Turkey
sandwich. Don’t forget your favorite veggies
● Whole-grain
crackers and hummus
● Fresh
fruit
● Healthy
leftovers — microwave them for a quick, easy meal
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