Chef
10 Tips for Keeping Your Family Healthy During Self-Isolation
- Involve your children in cooking. Get the whole family in the kitchen to make fun, simple meals. Children are more willing to try new foods if they have had a hand in creating it. Check out our website and social media (@CHEFSanAntonio) for healthy, family friendly recipe inspiration.
- Enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables. Many farmers markets and produce wholesalers are offering curbside pickup for fresh, local fruits and vegetables. If you’re headed to the grocery store, add fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables to your list. Make sure to check for labels with “no sugar/salt added”.
- Reward your children with fun activities. Use fun activities to reward your children for completing online homework or household chores instead of candy.
- Make a daily infused water to keep in the fridge. You can add any combination of herbs and fruit or vegetables to flavor your water. Add club soda for some bubbles! Our Cucumber Mint Infusion is a great place to start.
- Wash your hands and produce. While this is something you should always be doing, it’s especially important now. Remind your family to wash their hands for 20 seconds and wash your fresh fruits and vegetables before you eat them. We know 20 seconds feels like a long time, so turn this into a fun activity by singing the chorus of a popular song while you wash! Here’s some suggestions.
- Avoid drinking alcohol in excess. While there are benefits to drinking a glass of red wine, too much alcohol can be harmful to your health. Enjoy in moderation!
- Get adequate sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep is important for everyone, not just growing children. Inadequate sleep is linked with certain diseases including Type II Diabetes and Obesity.
- Practice mindfulness daily. Take some time each day to have a quiet moment and think of all of the things you are thankful for, such as time with your family.
- Eat meals at the table with your family. Turn off the TV and have a conversation while you eat. This is a great way to eat more mindfully and connect with your family.
- Go easy on yourself. Self-isolation is tough on everyone – don’t worry if every meal you serve your family isn’t the most Instagram-worthy or even the most nutritious. Allow yourself to acknowledge that you are doing the best you can.
The culinary nutrition education program of the San Antonio Food Bank
