Raising a family isn’t always easy. Parents are busy, and so are children. There is a lot to do in little time. But the stakes are high. Today, many kids are overweight or obese. A healthy, active lifestyle can help maintain weight. It also can prevent health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and high blood pressure.

It is important to create healthy habits early on. These will help you make smart choices for your family. Children imitate their parents, so it’s important to set a good example. The tips below can help your family be healthy and happy.

Path to improved family healthcare-

Eating better (for children and families)

Start the day with a healthy breakfast. It refuels the body and provides energy for the day.
Let kids help plan and prepare 1 meal each week.
Eat together as a family as often as possible.
Take time eating, and chew slowly. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to tell the body that you are full.
Eat more vegetables and fresh fruits. Aim for a total of 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables each day.
Eat more whole grains. Examples include oats, brown rice, rye, and whole-wheat pasta. Try to eat at least 3 ounces of whole grains each day.
Drink plenty of fluids. Choose water, low-fat or nonfat milk, and low-calorie beverages.
Serve a variety of foods.
Serve food in small portions.

Eating better (for parents)

Reward children with praise, not food.
Do not demand or reward “a clean plate.” Let your children ask for more if they are still hungry.
Read nutrition labels for serving size. This information can help you select foods that fit your family’s needs.
Bake, broil, or grill foods.
Avoid cooking with butter or vegetable oil. Use healthier versions like olive, canola, or sunflower oil.
Choose snacks that provide nutrients and energy. These are essential for active, growing children.
Ask your doctor about vitamin supplements for you and your children.

Being more active (for children and families)

Move more. Try to get between 30 and 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Short sessions of movement throughout the day add up.
Include physical activity in your daily routine. Walk as a family before or after meals.
Make playtime with your family fun. Be active by shooting hoops or playing tag.
Be active in the home. For example, you can dust, vacuum, garden, or walk the dog. These activities are good ways to burn calories.
Include activities, such as hiking or biking, when you go on vacation.
Know your daily calorie needs. Balance calories you consume with calories you burn.
Limit TV, computer, and video game time to less than 2 hours per day. Encourage physical activity instead.

Being more active (for parents)

Park the car farther away at work or stores.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
Exercise while watching television at home. Use a machine, lift weights, and stretch.
Walk to do errands.
Be a role model for your children. Do something active every day.

Things to consider for family healthcare

Follow these additional tips to create a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.

Keep a food journal. Track what you eat, how much, when, and why.
Keep an activity log. Track your exercise: type, time, and level.
Eat at the kitchen table. Avoid eating in the car or while watching TV. This helps you focus on how much you eat and can help prevent overeating.
Put workouts on your calendar so you keep them. Set exercise clothes out the night before.
Set goals you can achieve. For example, aim to eat more vegetables and less high-calorie foods.
Eat only when you’re hungry. Do not eat because you are bored, tired, or stressed. Instead, create other habits. For example, take a walk, play a game, read a book, or call a friend.
Try not to overeat. Once you aren’t hungry anymore, push the plate away.
Shop for groceries on a full stomach. This will help you make healthier food choices. It is harder to resist impulse or poor choices when your stomach is empty.
Be smart about what you drink. Most drinks are empty calories.
Choose water or low- or no-calorie drink options. A 32 oz. regular soda has up to 400 calories.
Limit how much alcohol you drink.

Questions to ask your doctor

How many calories should my kids and I eat each day?
What types of physical activity do you recommend?
Obesity and weight-related conditions run in my family. Does this mean my children are at increased risk?

Following the above mentioned tips will not only help you set healthy goals to achieve as a family but also ensure that the whole family strives together for better family healthcare. Family healthcare is an often neglected area when it comes to looking at the bigger picture. Everyone is engaged and occupied in their personal body and health issues that successfully being able to take good care of family health- both mental and physical can prove daunting at times. Which is why we at HMC are here to provide help, support and guidance as caretakers of family healthcare in Dubai. We provide a wide range of services in the domain of family health and medicine like- preventative care, such as chronic disease screening, immunizations, and advice on how to stay healthy through proper diet and exercise, common ailments such as ear, nose, throat, and skin conditions, and bone and joint ailments, acute illnesses such as respiratory infections, abdominal pain, and headaches, chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, mental health and behavioral issues including conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression etc.

Here are some effective tips we recommend while choosing a family doctor, like us-

A Personal Decision

Choosing a family medicine doctor is one of the most important and personal decisions you can make. Your family medicine doctor serves as your primary care doctor and your partner in family health care. How do you find the best family medicine doctor who is right for you? Here are important factors to keep in mind.

Get Referrals

Get started by creating a list of potential family medicine doctors. To do this, ask family, friends, and other healthcare providers for recommendations. Then, take the time to research the doctors’ credentials and experience on Healthgrades.com. To narrow down your list, call each family medicine doctor’s office and ask if he or she is accepting new patients. If so, schedule a consult appointment to meet and interview the doctor.

Research the Family Medicine Doctor’s Credentials

Board certification is one of the most important factors to consider when you are choosing a family medicine doctor. It tells you that the doctor has the necessary training, skills and experience to provide family medicine healthcare. Also confirm that the doctor has no history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions. You can find the family medicine doctor’s medical school, training hospital, certifications, and malpractice and disciplinary history on Healthgrades.com and state websites.

Consider the Family Medicine Doctor’s Experience

Experience matters when it comes to preventing or treating health conditions. The more experience a family medicine doctor has in family medicine, the better your results will be. Ask how long the doctor has been practicing family medicine and if they have experience in treating your condition. If you know you need a specific procedure, ask how many of the procedures the doctor has performed and find out about complication rates—complications the doctor has encountered as well as your own risk of complications.

Consider Gender

It’s important for you to feel comfortable with your family medicine doctor’s gender because you will need to openly discuss personal information. Think about if gender makes a difference to you and whether you might feel inhibited or awkward in front of a family medicine doctor of a certain gender. If you have a gender-related condition, ask the family medicine doctor about his or her training and experience specifically related to your condition.

Ask About Telehealth Capabilities

Healthcare providers can diagnose and treat some patients using telecommunications technology, including two-way video, smartphones, and email; it’s called telehealth. Ask if the doctor offers telehealth capabilities. Telehealth doesn’t replace hands-on in-person office visits, but for many patients, it means fewer trips to the doctor’s office. Some conditions can be managed by sending symptoms and vital signs you collect at home and having a “virtual visit” with your provider. Telehealth can also be used for routine follow-ups and minor complaints too, making it a convenient option. Check to make sure your health insurance will pay for telehealth services.

Evaluate Communication Style

Choose a family medicine doctor with whom you are comfortable talking and who supports your information needs. When you first meet the doctor, ask a question and notice how he or she responds. Does he or she welcome your questions and answer them in ways that you can understand? During your visit, did you feel rushed or engaged? Find a family medicine doctor who shows an interest in getting to know you, who will consider your treatment preferences, and who will respect your decision-making process.

Read Patient Reviews

Reading what other people have to say about a doctor can provide insight into how a doctor practices medicine, as well as how his or her medical practice is operated. People typically convey their experience with scheduling appointments, wait times, office environment, and office staff friendliness in patient reviews. Unlike specialty clinics, the family medicine clinic will become your ‘medical home.’ Be honest with yourself, was it a pleasant experience? You can learn how well patients trust the doctor, how much time he or she spends with their patients, and how well he or she answers questions.

Know What Your Insurance Covers

Your insurance coverage is a practical matter. To receive the most insurance benefits and pay the least out-of-pocket for your care, you may need to choose a family medicine doctor who participates in your plan. You should still consider credentials, experience, outcomes, and hospital quality as you select a family medicine doctor from your plan. At HMC, we cover a wide range of insurances.

To know more or book an appointment with us, you can visit us here- https://www.hmcmedicalcenter.com/

Family healthcare and why it’s so important