Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/438287
12 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • January 2015 W ith school, practices, and other obligations, families struggle to get everyone to the table at the same time — let alone prepare a healthy dinner. As parents, it is our responsibility to set an example for our children. Make dinner a priority and set the table with nutritious, heart healthy meals that you enjoy eating. Seeing your enjoyment of good food choices will encourage your children to choose to eat better. "The fact is that children whose parents eat well and exercise regularly are more likely to adopt those same habits as they grow," says Jennifer Homendy, ACSM certified personal trainer and Fredericksburg triathlete. "As a mother of a 5-year-old and a toddler it can be difficult to get them to sit down and eat, let alone get them to eat anything healthy," says Justine Grueterich, RN. "I try to incorporate fruits and veggies in every snack or meal. I just try to keep it fun." "Diet is such a critical part of our happiness as lowered mood, agitation and anxiety often are correlated at least in part to inflammation, largely linked to the foods we consume," says Elizabeth Howard, MS, NTP, and owner and operator of Liz'z Creative Juices. Children don't instinctively gravitate towards macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, French fries and chips, but if asked what they want to eat, most will answer chicken nuggets. Ever since my children were old enough to sit at the table they were eating what we were having for dinner, BY NIKKI DUCAS Build a Healthier Family with Good Food and Activity Family with Good Food Family with Good Food Family with Good Food HaPPIeR