Premier Rehab PT January 2019

GET YOUR KIDS TO EAT HEALTHIER THAN EVER

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. 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!

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. A mound 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

MAT AND REFORMER PILATES The Difference

MAT VS REFORMER There are two different types of Pilates: mat and reformer. Both have the same benefits and can produce the results you’re looking for, but the difference between the two is how the exercises are executed. The mat method is the basis for the Pilates workout and relies on body weight. People use their bodies alone to move from stance to stance, which is unlike reformer. The Pilates reformer device supports your body and creates resistance with its spring and pulley system. Reformer Pilates provides a more challenging workout by allowing the body to perform a broader range of movements.

Pilates is an exercise designed to increase the strength of your core — aka your body’s powerhouse. Unlike other ab workouts, Pilates is an exercise program involving precise movements that strengthen your abdomen, lower back, hips, and buttocks. The goal of Pilates is to increase muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance in the legs, hips, back, abdominals, and arms. BENEFITS There are both physical and mental advantages of doing Pilates. Compared to other workouts, Pilates is gentle on your body. It also improves your overall balance and coordination; controls your breathing; and emphasizes spinal and pelvic alignment. Pilates can also adapt to an individual’s needs and steadily increase in difficulty.

Premier Rehab Physical Therapy offers mat and reformer Pilates catered to your specific needs. Both methods of Pilates can be incorporated

into your physical therapy program with guidance from your physical therapist. Call our offices or speak to your therapist today to learn more about Pilates and the benefits you can gain from it.

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