It’s always hard to try to balance the daily stresses of life. There are so many things to do with so little time. When it comes to your family, and helping them have a healthier, happier life, there is no time like the present to make time. But with so many things to focus on health wise, where do you begin?

Here are a few tips that the American Dietetic Association offers up some wonderful guidelines that even the busiest parent can follow:

-Eat a variety of foods, but make sure every food counts and has as much nutritional value as it can get

-Watch your calories and your portion size for both you and your family

-Kids need at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity to stay fit, so help your kids do this (you should be getting some physical activity everyday yourself so just include them!)

-Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Here’s a little trick I do, I put fruit and vegetable puree in every meal I make. My family has yet to taste it and it packs a big kick in increasing their vegetable intake, even for the pickiest eater.

-Eat whole grains and drink low fat or fat free milk.

-Use little or no salt in preparing food. Honestly, I almost never use salt, I never have. But if you’re using it then cut down as much as possible.

These are just a few tips to help you keep you and your family on the track to being a healthy family.