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Fun, Food, and Fitness for Healthy Families

Posted by Colleen Sideck, MPH, RDN, Technical Information Specialist, National Agricultural Library in Food and Nutrition
Aug 24, 2022
A family eating watermelon outside at a camping site near a lake. A mother, father, and their young daughter are sitting at a table, with two grandparents sitting closer to the lake in the background

Whether you are a family of two or a multigenerational household, nutrition and physical activity can help you and your loved ones stay healthy. Healthy food choices and regular exercise help kids of all ages grow and develop, and also supports adults and older adults maintain health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

August is Family Fun Month, and what better way to close out summer than to ensure your family eats well, cooks healthy, and exercises often. Check out these tips to stay healthy from Nutrition.gov.

  1. Fuel right for your stage of life. Did you know your body’s nutrient needs change when growing and aging? For example, teenagers and older adults require more calcium for bone health, and more folate/folic acid is needed during pregnancy. Explore detailed nutrition guidance by age.
  2. Build memories and healthy cooking skills in the kitchen. Cooking is a great opportunity to spend time with your children, parents or grandparents. You can pass down family food traditions or try new recipes together that can keep everyone healthy! Visit our site to get helpful tips for meal prep and cooking.
  3. Be active at any age. Regular exercise and active play can strengthen muscles and bones during growth or aging and improve your stress levels and sleep. Kids and teens need at least 60 minutes of activity daily, while adults and older adults need at least 150 minutes weekly. Try a family hike, soccer match or afternoon yoga break. View exercise and fitness for more healthy eating and cooking resources to fuel your family.

Visit Nutrition.gov for more healthy eating and cooking resources to fuel your family.

Category/Topic: Food and Nutrition