Build a Healthy Home

Small Steps Lead to Big Changes

We know it’s important to you and your family to stay healthy and active, but sometimes the hectic day-to-day schedules can get in the way of making the best choices for our families. To simplify things, the Sewickley Valley YMCA recommends making small steps that lead to big changes.

With a balanced approach, even the busiest of families can discover ways to eat healthier and feel better.  Here are a few ways your family can make small changes that have big impact:

Choose Your Drinks with Care

A simple way to improve your family’s overall health is to explore your approach to fluids by cutting out the drinks with added sugar and adding more water. Make water your first choice, especially during and after vigorous physical activity. A good guide for most people is to try and drink 8 glasses of water each day.  If your family is currently used to drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, begin working gradually to replace them with healthier options.

Aim for Five a Day

The delicious crunch of fruits and veggies can be part of every meal and snack your family enjoys throughout the day and is important for your whole family’s health. Everybody needs the vitamins, fiber and minerals that these colorful foods provide in order to grow and stay strong, energetic and free from illness. Stay healthy by reaching for five servings every day.

Make trying new things fun by building a “real foods” adventure into your trips to the market or the produce section. Bring some new fruits or vegetables home and try them raw or cooked in a variety of ways. Involve the kids in the process and watch their willingness to try new things grow.