Kids Health Month Tips

September is Kids Health Month, and we’ve gathered 5 Kids Health Month Healthy Tips from Registered Holistic Nutritionist Nicole Eckert – Holistic Nutritionist On-Duty here at Nature’s Emporium Newmarket.

Remember – if you’ve got nutritional questions, we can help you find the answers. Simply register for a FREE healthy store tour at either of our Newmarket or Vaughan locations and let us help you along the road to good health!

Here’s your 5 Kids Health Month Healthy Tips:

1. Eat Whole Foods

Conventional processed convenience foods are often loaded with artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, sugar and salts, which makes investing in whole organic alternatives – free of GMOs and synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides – more than worthwhile. Processed foods don’t do our immune systems any favours – and kids need all the help they can get against impending colds and flus.

2. Stay Hydrated

Pure water is essential for preventing dehydration and providing trace minerals. Water also works to flush impurities from the body. Fruit juice and soda don’t count as water consumption and should be avoided due to high sugar levels and insignificant nutritional benefits. Instead, make water more interesting by adding lemon, cucumber, berries, orange slices and other whole organic fruits.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

Getting 9-10 hours of sleep a night is beneficial for both children and young teens, as sleep allows for healing and growth. Ensure your kids’ rooms are dark and peaceful in the evenings to encourage rest. Studies also show that naps and powernaps can increase alertness, memory, intelligence and productivity!

4. Spend Time in Nature

Teach your children how our food grows and how to appreciate the trees, flowers, rocks, bugs, animals and fresh air. Being outside keeps children active, boosts their creativity and decreases their risk of developing obesity, ADD/ADHD and depression when combined with a healthy diet.

5. Unplug from Technology

There are many useful apps on iPads and other handheld devices. However it is important to be conscious of the amount of time your child spends using technology. Unplug from technology on a regular basis and focus on developing other positive lifelong habits like cooking together, doing chores, playing games and making crafts.