Activities ABCs
A Allergy
Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. It can cause digestive problems, hives, or swollen airways. Some common food allergies are milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, and other nuts. Think of some food to make or buy that are allergy free that you could have for someone with a food allergy.
B Breathe
Do some breathing exercises to relax and relieve stress. Sit in a comfortable position and slowly inhale through your nose and then exhale through your mouth. Do this a few times.
C Calories
Calories are a measure of the amount of energy stored in food. Knowing how many calories are in food can help you get a healthy weight as you balance the energy you put into your body with the energy you use. Compare the amount of calories between some different food. You can check the label on a food package or use an online calorie counter.
D Dairy
A dairy product is made from milk. Milk products give you calcium, protein, and vitamins A, D, and some B. Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Find some dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream at the store.
E Electrolytes
Electrolytes are essential minerals like sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and chloride in your body. They affect the amount of water in your body, the pH of the blood, and your muscle and nerve function. Sports drinks are used by some athletes when they exercise and sweat alot. Find a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade and check what electrolytes are on the label.
F First aid
A first aid kit is a collection of supplies like bandages, wipes, and antibiotic ointment to have in case of an emergency like for cuts and scrapes. Check to see if your home has a first aid kit or get one if you don't.
G Gourmet
Gourmet food is usually high quality, prepared with skill, and presented in an artistic way. Make a gourmet meal.
H Heart
Healthy eating and exercising can help you take care of your heart and prevent strokes and heart attacks. Salmon, oatmeal, berries, grapefruit, and oranges are heart healthy. Make a bowl of oatmeal and add strawberries and blueberries.
I Ingredient
An ingredient is a food or substance to make a dish. Choose healthy ingredients to cook a dish.
J Jog
Jog is to run at a steady pace that is slow and gentle. For exercise, jog outdoors and enjoy the nature too.
K Kick
For exercise, kick as part of a workout or play a sport like soccer where you kick a ball.
L Learn
Learn to cook and make healthy meals.
M Menu
When you eat out make healthy choices from a menu. Try vegetarian menu options or choose menu items that contain fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
N Nutrition
Nutrition is the process of getting the food necessary for health and growth. Pick a fruit or vegetable and search online for facts about its origin and nutritional value.
O Organic
Organic fruits and vegetables are grown using farming methods that are more natural and cause less pollution. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers such as animal manure and compost to help soil and use natural methods of pest control instead of artificial chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Visit an organic farm.
P Pyramid
A food pyramid shows the foods that you should eat as part of a healthy diet. The food pyramid is made up of food groups. Check how much of each food group you should eat.
Q Quantity
Quantity is the amount of something. When you follow a recipe, you mix the ingredients in the quantities called for. Practice using quantities with measuring cups and spoons.
R Rainbow
Eat a variety of different colors of fruits and vegetables every day. Make a rainbow fruit salad with apples, peaches, grapes, blueberries, pineapple, kiwi, and strawberries. Make a rainbow vegetable dish with corn, peas, carrots, red peppers, and eggplant.
S Safety
Practice safety when cooking to prevent cuts, burns, and fires.
T Time
Manage your time to cook healthy meals, exercise, and get enough sleep.
U Understand
Understand the benefits of a balanced diet and the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease by reading health information in books and online, and talking with a doctor or other health professional.
V Vaccine
A vaccine safely and effectively uses a small amount of a weakened or killed virus or bacteria or bits of lab-made protein that imitate the virus in order to prevent infection by that same virus or bacteria. Vaccines protect us from serious diseases and prevent the spread of those diseases to others. Check your immunization record and keep your vaccines up to date.
W Whole grain
Whole grains include grains like wheat, corn, rice, oats, and barley in their “whole” form instead of refined where the bran and germ are removed. Choose whole grain bread and cereal because they have more fiber.
X Xavier soup
Xavier Soup is an Italian chicken and vegetable soup with Parmesan cheese, dumplings, and parsley. Pick out some vegetables and make your own vegetable soup.
Y Yeast
Baker's yeast is often used in baking to help bread and other baked goods rise. Make a recipe that uses baker's yeast.
Z Zone
A zone is an area with a particular purpose or use. Make a zone in your home to do exercise and a zone to relax.
