Practicing healthy habits over winter break is only the start to helping students learn about living a healthy lifestyle year round. These five health tips to try over winter break may be the inspiration students need to make this their healthiest winter break yet.
5 Healthy Habits for Students to Practice over Winter Break
Practicing healthy habits during winter break might be a challenge, but many students can benefit from reminders of ways to keep themselves feeling their best during time away from school. Use these tips to encourage students to try new things and encourage them to touch base with you after they return to tell you about healthy choices they made.
Read More: Healthy Kids Challenge, Teach MyPlate to Kids
1. Cooking with Healthy Food Substitutes
Many families engage in eating special meals during the winter break, but a special meal doesn’t have to be unhealthy if the right substitutes are made. Here are some ideas to try this year:
- Instead of adding extra salt to every side dish, try using more spices and herbs.
- Choose recipes using alternatives to white flour such as almond flour or wheat flour.
- When baking cookies or other treats, consider cutting out some of the sugar or skipping the frosting & icing altogether. Add a little apple sauce for moist cakes or extra vanilla or cinnamon to boost the flavor instead.
2. Eating a Healthy Snack Before Attending a Get-Together
Eating before an event with lots of food options might sound silly, but it might to prevent the temptation to snack on all the unhealthy options. Choosing to munch on a healthy snack before heading to the next family get-together can take the edge off and keep hands out of the cookie jar and candy bowl.
3. Try to Eat Lots of Different Colored Foods
Of course, many holiday treats come in a variety of colors, but this advice applies more specifically to the fruit and vegetable options. Try not to fill a whole plate with white-colored foods like mashed or cheesy potatoes, bread, and gravy. Include some of the other colors on the table like green salads and bright fruits.
4. Enjoy Some Physical Activity Time Every Day
The weather might be chilly, but bundling up and heading outside or getting creative with active time indoors is still important during winter break. Try going for a brisk walk and enjoy the refreshing winter air, or getting everyone involved in dancing to some music. It’s important for whole body health and sleep patterns to be using energy being active all year — so get the whole family involved and get moving!
5. Get Good Sleep Every Night
Winter break is a great opportunity to catch some extra hours of sleep. Students may be feeling worn out after a big schedule change and a busy lead-up to winter break, so take advantage of earlier nights or later mornings. Good sleep can keep kids feeling healthy throughout the winter season.
More Help Encouraging Healthy Students
Looking for more ways to encourage your students to take steps towards learning about a healthy lifestyle? Visit the Healthy Students category page to find ideas and activities to get your students thinking and making healthy decisions.
Read More: How to Get Parents on Board with Healthy Changes
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