You Don’t Have to Spend a Lot to Encourage Good Health Habits in Your Kids

Q: How can parents encourage healthy eating without spending a lot?

Buy seasonal produce, choose whole fruits and vegetables over pre-packaged options, serve water or milk instead of sugary drinks, and use free or reduced-price school meal programs when eligible.

Q: What are easy ways to add more activity to a child’s day?

Weave short bursts of activity into daily routines—walk to the bus stop, park farther away, take stairs, or play at local parks with trails and fitness stations.

Q: How can families reduce screen time affordably?

Limit TV by canceling or cutting cable, set screen-free times or zones, replace screen time with outdoor play or family activities, and encourage hobbies that don’t require devices.

Q: Are school meal programs nutritious and worth using?

Yes. Federal school meal programs must meet nutrition standards, and free or reduced-price options can make balanced meals accessible for families who qualify.

Q: What simple beverage choices support children’s health?

Opt for water or milk instead of sugary juices and beverages to reduce added sugars and promote hydration; infuse water with fruit for added flavor if needed.

Published by

Clara

Dec 23

Healthy Habits For Kids: Simple, Low-Cost Tips

Helping children adopt healthy habits while they’re young can lead to long-term benefits.

April 23-27 is the sixth annual Every Kid Healthy Week, an observance created to “celebrate school health and wellness achievements,” according to its organizers.

Still, the responsibility for our children’s well-being shouldn’t rest solely with teachers or school staff.

Rob Bisceglie serves as CEO of the nonprofit Action for Healthy Kids, the group behind Every Kid Healthy Week. He stresses that parents play a critical role in keeping kids healthy.

“Parents and caregivers are a powerful force for change in schools and can help bring together school staff, other parents and community partners to improve student health and learning and reinforce healthy habits at home,” he said. “Our goal is to raise awareness among parents about how they can get involved in and improve health at school and at home during Every Kid Healthy Week and beyond.”

Heidi Milby, director of school health programs at Action for Healthy Kids, shares six budget-friendly strategies parents can use to promote healthy routines for their children.

Choose water or milk instead of fruit juices and sugary beverages.

Savinly tip: These five alternatives to buying bottled water can help you cut costs.

Purchase produce that’s in season. Skip the pre-mixed salad and buy a whole head of lettuce.

Savinly tip: Save money by shopping at farmers markets or joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. (And don’t dismiss imperfect-looking produce!)

A boy runs in a park. — (*Ezra Avila, 2, explores Crescent Lake Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. Chris Zuppa/Savinly*)

Use free or reduced-price school meal programs. Federal rules require school meals to meet established nutrition standards.

Savinly tip: Review this resource to determine if your household qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch based on income guidelines.

Be active at nearby parks. Look for parks that offer walking trails and fitness stations.

Savinly tip: You can even earn extra cash by tracking fitness milestones and sharing them on social media.

Weave short bursts of activity into your daily routine. If the weather is nice, walk to the next bus stop rather than your usual one. Park farther away from your destination for extra steps. Skip an elevator stop and take a flight of stairs.

Savinly tip: Everyday locations can double as fitness spaces — no gym membership required.