Helping children keep a healthy weight, eat nutritious foods, and get regular physical activity can lower their blood pressure and reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Keeping your family’s heart healthy is pretty simple.

Food and Drinks

Offer nutritious, lower-calorie foods such as fruits and vegetables in place of foods high in added sugars and solid fats.

Provide foods that are low in sodium (salt). Sodium raises blood pressure.

Children don’t always tell you that they are thirsty. Make sure water is available and offered throughout the day both indoors and outdoors.

Physical Activity

Do activities that include running, jumping, and climbing to increase physical activity throughout the day.

Physical activity combined with nutritious food helps children with a healthy weight.

Get Involved

Be a role model!

Promote active play!

Eat healthy food and drinks!

Keep Water Bottles Clean

Personal water bottles have become very popular. Studies have shown that germs and mold can grow quickly in reusable water bottles – in the bottle as well as the lid and mouthpiece. It is recommended that water bottles are washed daily the same as dishes and glassware. As an alternative to water bottles, you can use small pitchers of water and cups for children to self-serve.

Reminder!

Dishwashing water bottles is a three-step process: Wash, rinse, and sanitize. Sanitizing can be done with the use of either hot water at the proper temperature or chemical sanitizers at the appropriate concentrations.

For more health information, go to 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and- services/healthy-eating-active-living/5-2-1-0

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Carrie Kube is the Early

Childhood Area Director.