X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

5 ways to be healthy—with your kids

4 min read
5 ways to be healthy—with your kids

Because optimum health is best achieved as a family, says MakatiMed.

Whenever we admonish our kids to “Eat your vegetables!” “Get up from bed already!” and “Put that gadget down now!” for the nth time, how many of us catch ourselves thinking that we should be doing the same? 

“Children are likely to develop and maintain healthy habits in an environment where these healthy habits are seen and practiced regularly,” says Rosario P. Paguntalan, MD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics of the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “For kids to adopt these habits as their own, their parents need to serve as role models of healthy behavior.” 

What better time to commit to positive (and hopefully lasting) change than at the start of a brand-new year? You and your family can begin your journey to healthy living together and on a clean slate. Remember, kids stick to good habits if they see you doing them, so take the lead in ingraining these five healthy practices. 

Eat better. Everyone, no matter what age, will certainly benefit from this health resolution—and it doesn’t have to be done cold turkey. “Make changes gradually during mealtime,” shares Dr. Paguntalan. “Replace pork and beef with chicken, fish, and seafood, and look for recipes that incorporate vegetables into dishes. Plant-based meat substitutes are also available in the market today, and can be used as alternative protein sources.”

Even little tweaks make a huge difference. Limit trips to or ordering from fast-food joints as these food items contain trans fats that elevate bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. You and your kids can also swap calorie-rich colas, boxed juices and milk teas for freshly squeezed juices or water, and replace salty chips with crunchy nuts and slices of fresh vegetables.  

Be active. If you’re looking for a reason to start exercising, why not make your family your motivation? “By getting fit, you can live long enough to see your kids’ kids,” Dr. Paguntalan stresses. “Even 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day for five days a week has a positive impact on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” 

While you’re at it, enlist the kids to keep you company. Not only will they get their daily dose of exercise (and decrease chances of childhood obesity), they’ll ensure you’ll stick to yours too. “When you work out alone, you’re tempted to slack off or worse, quit,” Dr. Paguntalan underlines. “Working out with a buddy, or in this case, your kids, means you’ll stay consistent.” From biking and swimming to high-energy tag (which involves running in spurts) and dancing, the options are endless. Before you know it, you’re playing past the minimum 30 minutes! 

 

Limit technology. These days, almost everything we do involves some type of gadget and the internet: from schoolwork to office work to entertainment to simply keeping in touch, even the simplest everyday activities are fueled by technology. But it doesn’t have to take over your life. 

“Establish a no-gadgets schedule in the family. During mealtimes, keep phones and tablets away from the dinner table,” suggests Dr. Paguntalan. “Or spend a few gadget-free hours together listening to each other talk about how your day went. The hours away from tech can help you and your kids encourage bonding. A solid and comfortable parent-child bond contributes to good mental health for all parties concerned.”   

Get a checkup. Sure, you’re on top of your kids’ pediatrician and dental appointments—but when was the last time you had an annual physical exam? “Again, make your children your reason for staying healthy,” says Dr. Paguntalan. “When you see your family physician regularly for a checkup—and not only when you’re feeling ‘off’ or experiencing symptoms—it’s your way of assuring your kids that you’ll be around for a long time.”  

Have a healthy attitude. How you deal with stress, disappointment, success, or affection from your spouse and children, and other circumstances in life sets an example for your children to follow. “If they see you behaving consistently towards, say, a bad situation by lashing out in anger or shirking from responsibility, that’s what they’ll do too,” Dr. Paguntalan explains. “Conversely, if they see you face challenges head-on with a positive, can-do mindset, they’ll do the same. Overall good health and well-being can only happen at home when you initiate it, and your kids the see the benefits of living this way.”  

 

This is a press release distributed by BUENSALIDO 

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Press Room

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Press Room
  • /
  • 5 ways to be healthy—with your kids
Share:
  • Ashley Park Brings Song And Dance To Skechers
    Partner Stories

    Ashley Park Brings Song And Dance To Skechers

  • How to Count Macros: Calculating the Best Macronutrient Ratio for Your Goals
    Partner Stories

    How to Count Macros: Calculating the Best Macronutrient Ratio for Your Goals

  • PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH wins the most prestigious Grand Anvil at the 58th Anvil Awards
    Partner Stories

    PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH wins the most prestigious Grand Anvil at the 58th Anvil Awards

  • Ashley Park Brings Song And Dance To Skechers
    Partner Stories

    Ashley Park Brings Song And Dance To Skechers

  • How to Count Macros: Calculating the Best Macronutrient Ratio for Your Goals
    Partner Stories

    How to Count Macros: Calculating the Best Macronutrient Ratio for Your Goals

  • PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH wins the most prestigious Grand Anvil at the 58th Anvil Awards
    Partner Stories

    PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH wins the most prestigious Grand Anvil at the 58th Anvil Awards

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.