I am sharing this article from Dana Brown, the creator of HealthConditions.info, which aims to provide Internet users with helpful content and resources that will lead them to making healthier decisions.

Parents have many responsibilities, with one of the most important to raise children to be self-sufficient adults who make healthy choices. Though your offspring may often seem like they’re not listening, you can count on them to observe your actions. Modeling good habits increases the likelihood that they will adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Offer Nutritious Foods

Establish a positive relationship with food. Have nourishing snacks readily available. Avoid using food as rewards or labeling them as “good” or “bad.” Instead, teach children about balanced eating — consuming plenty of nutrient-rich foods, limiting empty calories, and enjoying other foods in moderation.

Invite your kids to participate in menu planning, grocery shopping, and meal prep. Not only does this promote family bonding and teach valuable life skills, but also, research shows that children are more willing to try foods when they’re involved in preparing them.

Limit Caffeine Consumption

Though coffee is the most well-known source of caffeine, the stimulant is found in other drinks and snacks that kids commonly enjoy, including:

Soda
Energy drinks
Chocolate
Flavored juices

In moderation, caffeine is unlikely to cause harmful effects, but too much can cause symptoms such as upset stomach, increased heart rate, headaches, and shakiness. Children should consume no more than the recommended daily intake for their age group.

Encourage Physical Activity

Exercise does a body good. It helps children to strengthen muscles, develop motor skills, build stamina and maintain a healthy weight. In addition, regular physical activity decreases the risk of childhood diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. Kids ages 6 to 17 should get at least one hour daily of moderately intense physical activity. Motivate your crew to get moving using the following tips:

Make it a family affair. Participate in a 5K together, play frisbee at the park or create an obstacle course in your backyard.
Opt for active modes of transportation. Walk or bike to get around locally. Take the stairs instead of an elevator.
Invite friends to join in the fun. Encourage your kids to start a neighborhood pickup game. Have a pool party. Meet up with other families at the playground.

Monitor Screen Time

The time children and teens spend on screens can amount to a part-time job with kids ages 8 to 12 averaging four to six hours per day on devices. Too much screen time is linked to sleep difficulties, weight problems, poor school performance, and a host of other issues. Quality of technology use is as important as quantity. Unrestricted access may expose young viewers to inappropriate content.

Make screen time a positive experience by setting clear and consistent guidelines. Educate your children about digital literacy to protect their safety and privacy.

Foster a Lifetime Love of Learning

It’s never too early to talk to your children about their hopes for the future and how they can achieve them. Model how they can pursue dreams by chasing your own. Perhaps you’ve put off earning a degree or you’re mulling a new career in early childhood education. A Bachelor of Science in Education degree prepares you to work with preschool and elementary-aged children. Online degree programs offer the flexibility to complete coursework at your own pace while still fulfilling other responsibilities. What better example to set than seeking higher education.

Don’t worry if you are not always a pillar of healthy living; everyone slips up occasionally. Treat these moments as opportunities to demonstrate self-compassion and resilience. It’s all a part of learning how to lead a long and happy life.