Healthy family is the foundation of a healthy society and a stepping stone for a healthy nation as a whole. Foundation for a healthy family in itself is dependent on its members and their lifestyle. The family can be referred to as healthy when the members are having good dietary practices, following some kind of physical activity in routine, getting time to rest and be stress free and are devoid of any kind of physical, mental or emotional issues.

This idealistic family is not impossible to imagine and by following these tips one can lay the foundation of a healthy family.

Eating in healthy balanced way:

•  Start the day with a healthy breakfast. It refuels your body and gives you energy for the day.
•  Relish each bite of your food and chew your food properly before swallowing. It takes almost 20 minutes for your brain to acknowledge that you are full.
• Eat more vegetables and fresh fruits. Have them in the form of salad to reap maximum benefits.
•  Eat more whole grains (e.g., oats, brown rice, rye, crackers, whole-wheat pasta) to get a good dose of fiber in your diet.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Choose water, low-fat or nonfat milk and low calorie or diet beverages.
• Serve a variety of foods to avoid monotony and make eating a pleasurable experience.
• Serve food in smaller portions. Eating smaller meals frequently is considered best as it does not put burden on the digestive tract and helps for better absorption and utilization of nutrients.
• Read labels for serving size and nutrient information. The information on the labels can help you select foods that best fit into your family’s meal and snack plans.
• Choose baking, broiling or grilling as modes of cooking over frying to reduce fat. Rather than cooking with butter or hydrogenated fats like ghee or dalda, try healthier versions like olive, canola or sunflower oil.
• Unnecessary snacking should be avoided. If required healthy snacks like fresh fruits, whole grain crackers or cereal bars should be opted to provide nutrients except fat, particularly for active, growing children.
•  Children imitate their parents, so set a good example by eating healthy foods.

•  Try to get 40-50 minutes of exercise daily.
•  Try to walk as a family after every meal.
•  Limit watching TV, working or playing on computer and playing video games.
•  Increase household activities like walking the dog, dusting, vacuuming, and gardening as these activities are good ways to burn calories.
•  Include activities like bike riding, swimming, and playing outdoors to be more physically active and fit.
•  Park the car in a spot farther away from the store or your office and walk.
•  Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
• Use an exercise machine or lift weights while watching television.

• Keep a record of everything you and your family eats. Maintaining a food dairy will help you to keep an eye on your and your families eating faults.
• Keep a track of the physical activity routine and the level of exercises performed to know the loopholes and find out the way to correct it.
• Don't eat while driving or watching television or talking on the phone or even when you are stressed out or depressed. This will prevent you from overeating.
• Put out the exercise clothes the night before as a reminder to walk or work out in the morning.
• Schedule activities for each day for every member so that a disciplined approach is achievable.
• Eat only when you're hungry and push the plate away when full. Don't stuff yourself.
• Drink plenty of water but not the regular soft drinks. Cut down on the size of glass or portion of aerated or sweetened drinks being served.
• Use alternatives to move out of stress like take a walk, play a game, read a book or call a friend instead of eating.
•  Do your grocery shopping on a full stomach. This will help you make healthier food choices, rather than grabbing over-processed high-calorie foods, which can be hard to resist when your stomach is empty.