GET YOUR KIDS TO EAT Healthier Than Ever
Do your kids get enough nutrients in their diet? If they’re like most kids, the answer is probably no. You want your children to eat more vegetables and less processed junk, but they certainly don’t make it easy. Even getting the average kid to chow down on a serving of broccoli can be a huge chore. In fact, food manufacturers have built an entire industry that takes advantage of our kids’ penchant for sugary cereal and fast food. However, a diet of highly processed foods can lead to a host of problems. Not only do these poor dietary habits carry over into adulthood, but a poor diet can hinder brain development and may even cause behavioral issues. A study in the American Journal of Public Health found links between poor diet and the development of depression in kids and teens. But how can you encourage your kids to eat healthier? Often, it comes down to presentation. Amound of plain old veggies is not appetizing —not to a 10-year-old and not to a 40-year-old. Instead of presenting vegetables as a boring side dish, think of them as an ingredient. Take lasagna, for instance. This tasty, familiar dish is easy to modify. Instead of using lasagna noodles, use zucchini. Simply slice the zucchini into thin, noodle-like strips, then layer them as you would typical noodles. The same can be done with other pasta dishes, such as spaghetti. Zucchini noodles — or “zoodles” — are delicious in marinara sauce and decadent in Alfredo. If push comes to shove, you can easily hide vegetables in foods your children already know and love. Did you know you can make brownies with avocado and black beans? Slipping in a few healthier ingredients here and there can deliver those nutrients in a pinch, especially during a chaotic school week. But, if you’re hoping to foster long-lasting healthy habits, the best thing you can do is offer your child a choice. Say something like “You can have the cauliflower, or you can have the broccoli. It’s up to you!” Let your child have that control. Psychologists and social scientists, including the famed Dr. Maria Montessori, argue that when kids feel in charge of a decision, they are more likely to embrace one of the options — even if it’s a vegetable.
PILLOWISE
A Perfect Fit for You
Something many people don’t address when it comes to their overall health is a full night’s rest. We all know getting a good night’s sleep is essential, but maybe you have a fitful night no matter how early you go to bed and always wake up feeling stiff and sore. This could be because of your pillow. It might not seem like a drastic change, but using the right pillow can make a big difference. At NOVA Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we use a company called Pillowise to provide our patients with a perfect pillow based on their individual needs. Pillowise uses a measuring system to match every person to one of their six different pillow sizes. No two people are alike in size or shape, nor does everyone sleep in the same way. Pillowise takes this into account, ensuring that the people who choose their product receive a pillow specifically for their needs. When you come into our office, you will be measured and can test different pillows to find the right one for you. This system has proved to have immense benefits for our patients. It allows their necks and bodies to relax and heal throughout the night, leading them to wake up feeling more refreshed than they did with the wrong pillow. When a pillow doesn’t provide proper support, it can lead to problems such as muscle tightness. When you receive your Pillowise pillow, our clinic provides a 30-day money back guarantee, and the company itself gives a two-year warranty on their products. If your pillow loses its form after a year, we will get you a new one. While the pillow can be a little expensive — running at about $119 — the quality of the pillow lasts, and the company stands firmly behind that. A few months ago Dr. Sullivan created a YouTube video on how to correctly measure and fit someone with a Pillowise pillow. We encourage you to follow the link and see this process firsthand: youtu.be/NMzU1Yp9mfg. If you wake up with constant pain or stiffness, it just might be your pillow. Call our office today to get the quality sleep you deserve.
Ultimately, as a parent, you are in charge of your child’s diet. Help them explore new foods and foster a positive culinary
environment. Your kids will develop a taste for healthy eating in no time!
NovaChiroWellness.com
(703) 912-7822
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