Time spent away from the screen encourages healthy physical and social development. Research shows that too much screen time can lead to impairments in brain structure and function, changes in behavioral and mental health, sedentary lifestyle and obesity, and more. LiveWell Frederick’s 5-2-1-0 program has a few simple rules when it comes to screen time....
Drinking enough water every day is good for your overall health—and a great way to reduce calories and added sugars from sodas and other beverages. Drinking water has zero calories. It can help manage your body weight and reduce caloric intake when substituted for sugary drinks. It can also prevent dehydration, improve your mood, and...
There’s no doubt that these are strange times we’re living in. Many of us are working remotely for the first time, turning our homes into our child’s classroom, and continuing to care for our families during one of the largest crises in our lifetime. While life may not be completely “normal” for a while, there...
Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) became a global pandemic, more people than ever are working remotely to stop the spread of infection. While social distancing and self-isolation present their own challenges, so does working remotely. If you’re working from home, chances are you’re struggling to find and maintain a routine in your household, especially when it...
The Best Types of Physical Activity for School-Aged Children and Adolescents If you follow 5-2-1-0, you know that you and your family should get 1 hour or more of physical activity every day. But, what counts as physical activity for school-aged children and adolescents? Your child’s 1 hour of physical activity should include activities that...
“But, I hate vegetables…” When trying to eat a healthy diet, many people run into this common problem. They’ve never been a fan of vegetables, and while they know they need to eat more, they can’t get over their dislike for the taste. Perhaps they grew up in a household where vegetables were prepared poorly,...
It’s late February, and the excitement of a “clean slate” and “fresh start” of a new year has likely worn off. Now, the real work sets in. Life doesn’t always go as planned, even if we have the best intentions and positive goals. If your New Year’s goals included nutrition or fitness and you’re not...
Did you know drinking sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, sports drinks, and some coffees is associated with weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and more? Limiting sugary drinks—or drinking zero sugary drinks and choosing water instead—can help your child maintain a healthy diet and body weight. Remind your child why rethinking their drink and choosing water or...
You’ve made it to November healthily, with help from the 5-2-1-0 program. You’ve filled your plate with fruits and vegetables every day. You’ve chosen water instead of sugary drinks like soda, and you’ve made it a priority to get an hour or more of physical activity each day. But then came the holiday season filled...
Do you think it’s expensive to buy healthy foods at the grocery store? You’re not alone. Sixty-two percent of shoppers believe healthy food is too expensive to buy. But in fact, one study showed that serving fruits and vegetables for snacks can save you money! That’s because snack-size portions of produce (an apple or banana,...
