15 Habits of Healthy Families

Make Time for Family Meals

 

 A family who dines together, dines well together — and it encourages healthy communication, too. It turns out, children who have frequent meals with their family tend to consume more fruits, vegetables, fiber, calcium and vitamins — and less junk, according to resent research funded by the USDA.

“Eating meals together teaches children about healthy habits, and they carry that into their adult lives,” says Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “What they learn at the dinner table sets them up for the rest of their lives.”

In addition, “eating together supports healthy interactions and fosters communication,” says Dobbins. What better locale to kick off your morning with a pep talk or catch up on the day’s events? Turn off all phones and the TV and it’s just about the most perfect, undistracted family time you can ask for — which also makes it a natural setting to talk about big issues, like peer pressure, cheating and bullying.

Check Off Your Checkups

While kiddos get their once-a-year, weighed-and-measured doctor’s appointment either for back-to-school or their birthday, it’s easy to forget that Mom and Dad need a checkup every few years, too. Regular health exams can detect medical issues before they even start — and help find problems early, when treatment is more effective and potentially less invasive.

 Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight are just a few of the things that should be measured on a somewhat regular basis depending on age. Women also need Pap smears and pelvic exams every two years starting at age 21 and mammograms starting at age 40 (some physicians say 50). If you smoke, are overweight or have a history of medical issues, your checkup may require additional screenings. Work with your doctor to determine how often you should get an exam, and what tests and screenings you may need.