The Blog

Welcome to Week 4 of Sweet Summer Habits ! This week, we’re diving into the importance of balanced nutrition and exploring tips for fueling your body right. Eating a variety of nutritious foods is key to supporting overall health and well-being. Let’s discover how to make balanced nutrition a delicious and enjoyable part of your family’s routine.

Weekly Athlete Spotlight

This week, we draw inspiration from Olympic athlete Missy Franklin, who emphasizes eating healthy and finding new ways to enjoy nutritious foods. Saluting athletes who prioritize healthy eating for peak performance. 5x Olympic Medalist and Swimmer, Missy Franklin says” Eating healthy is so, so important, and I love doing it, I love finding new ways to eat healthy.” Download this weeks activity sheet at www.itstimetexas/ssh Let’s follow in Missy’s footsteps and prioritize balanced nutrition to fuel our bodies for success, both in and out of the pool!

Importance of Balanced Nutrition for Overall Health

Balanced nutrition is essential for providing our bodies with the nutrients they need to function optimally. We’ll discuss the importance of eating a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure we get essential vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fats. A balanced diet can help support energy levels, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Explaining the Different Food Groups and Their Roles

Let’s break down the different food groups—such as fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy—and explore their roles in a balanced diet. We’ll discuss the nutrients each food group provides and offer tips for incorporating them into meals and snacks throughout the day.

Tips for Planning Balanced Meals and Snacks: 

Planning balanced meals and snacks doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ll share practical tips for creating balanced plates, such as:

• Aim to include a variety of colors on your plate, indicating a diverse range of nutrients.
• Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with lean protein, and one-quarter with whole grains.
• Choose healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil, in moderation.
• Opt for whole, minimally processed foods whenever possible and limit added sugars and sodium.

Creative Ways to Encourage Kids to Try New Foods 

Getting kids to try new foods can sometimes be a challenge, but it’s essential for expanding their palates and ensuring they get a variety of nutrients. We’ll share creative strategies for encouraging kids to try new foods, such as:

• Involving them in meal planning and preparation, letting them choose new recipes to try.
• Making food fun by arranging it into shapes or serving it on colorful plates.
• Offering a variety of textures and flavors to appeal to different preferences.
• Being patient and persistent, introducing new foods gradually and offering praise for trying new things.

By incorporating these tips and meal ideas into your family’s routine, you’ll nourish your bodies with the nutrients they need to thrive. So let’s get cooking and fuel our bodies right—it’s time to make balanced nutrition a delicious and enjoyable part of our lives! Don’t forget to download the habit tracker sheet for this week!

Connect with our Telehealth Coaching team to work on your health goals!

Check out these additional resources to support your health journey this summer! 

• Read the “Create Better Health” Blog for more information on cooking healthy meals on a budget, buying and preparing whole foods, understanding food labels, practicing safety in the kitchen, and much more!
• Visit “Pick It! Try It! Like It!” for resources to use in the classroom or at home!
• Head to Myplate.gov to learn more about making healthy food choices!