With the summer holidays upon us, many of us find ourselves with a different daily routine, and even with our best intentions our healthy eating regime can soon start to slip. And then there's the challenge of keeping children entertained. Many will happily spend inordinate amounts of time playing computer games or watching TV, but if you can get them outside being a bit more active, that could be to your benefit too – think of the extra calorie burning potential!
Not only does too much screen time in children contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, Public Health England also believe it can lead to low self-esteem and lower self-reported happiness.
In America, teenagers often spend more than 11 hours using various forms of media, with the average 8 year old also spending huge amounts of time on media sources – up to 8 hours a day! In the UK, over 70% of young people do not achieve the recommended 1 hour of exercise each day. It's worth pointing out this doesn't have to be a solid 1 hour, it can be broken down throughout the day, but the aim is that physical activity elevates their heart rate and gets them breathing harder.
So here are some ideas to get you and your family active this summer. Planning ahead helps to keep their boredom at bay (and your stress levels down!) Getting active doesn't have to be expensive – have a look at the ideas below.
Summer holidays for the kids don't have to be spent sitting in front of the TV. It may take a bit of persuasion to drag them away but your efforts will be rewarded – you'll be keeping your family fit and healthy and also burning extra calories yourself – it's a win-win!
As always planning is the key. Not only with activities, but also food. If you are out for the day, take a healthy picnic with you. Or you might want to check out restaurants on the Nutracheck App or website to find the lowest calorie meal options...with the British weather, it's usually best to have a rainy day contingency plan!
Nutritionist Emma White (ANutr), MSc Human Nutrition is passionate about how food science applies to the human body, and how the nutrients in what we eat affect us and ultimately have an impact on our health.
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