What is healthy? 4 steps anyone can take

Lots of us express a desire to “be healthier,” and to “raise healthy children,” but what does that mean, exactly? Health and wellness tips may be widely available, but sometimes they feel contradictory and confusing. How do you know which sources to trust?

Our friends at Let’s Go! created a simple slogan to help you remember four ways to be healthy every day: 5-2-1-0. These research-proven recommendations come from experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables

When you think about eating healthy, focus on increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. This strategy is more helpful—and more likely to become a lifelong habit—than trying to completely cut out other foods that you love. 

Summer in central Indiana is the perfect time to taste fruits and vegetables and experiment with new recipes, because fresh, affordable produce is in season. You might want to check out a local farmers market to find fresh produce and get ideas about how to prepare it.

Look for ways to incorporate fruits and veggies into other foods that you love: make a smoothie, experiment with different dips, add vegetables to scrambled eggs, or try vegetable soups hot or cold. 

Find more ideas in our Resource Hub: 50 Ways to Add Fruits and Vegetables

Limit recreational screen time to 2 hours or less

Step away from digital devices such as TVs, computers, tablets, and phones. Excessive screen time has been linked to weight gain, increased risk for chronic disease, poor sleep, and difficulty concentrating.

Watch for the technology traps in your everyday habits and reduce the temptation: turn off televisions and other devices during dinner, don’t place electronics in bedrooms, set a timer for an appropriate amount of screen time and do something else when time is up.

Replace sedentary screen time with physical activity, and you’ll see even more health benefits. Ask everyone in the family to unplug and take a walk together. Play games like Freeze Tag or Red Light/Green Light with kids. Or simply turn on some music and dance.

Too much screen time? Get the facts, plus tips for cutting back.

Get at least 1 hour of physical activity

As you might guess from the suggestions above, you don’t need fancy equipment or gym memberships to be physically active. You don’t even need to get your hour of activity all at once; short bursts of physical activity are just as effective as one long exercise session.

So walk the dog instead of simply letting him out in the backyard, choose stairs over elevators, park far away from entrances and walk,…these are all simple strategies that can help you accumulate an hour of physical activity each day. Active play is physical activity, too, so have fun meeting the daily goal. 
 

More strategies for success: 10 Tips for Becoming More Active as a Family

Drink 0 sugary beverages, more water

Adults and children consume about 400 calories per day in beverages alone. Replacing sugary beverages like soda and fruit juice with water can substantially reduce your calorie intake. 

Experiment with infused water recipes by adding sliced fruits and herbs to a pitcher of water. If you can’t resist ordering your favorite soda when dining out, enjoy one glass, then ask for water on the second round. 

Do you know how much sugar you (and your kids) drink? Get the scoop…and additional tips for cutting back.