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Kids' Health and Nutrition Resource Guide

Have you ever stayed home from school because you were sick? If you have, you know that being sick is no fun at all. Taking care of your health can keep you from getting sick and help you feel good everyday. To stay healthy, you need to do things like eating right and getting plenty of exercise. You also need to take care of your mental health by paying attention to how you feel and dealing with those feelings in healthy ways. When you take care of your health, you'll be happier and be able to do all of the fun things you love to do.

One important part of keeping yourself healthy is nutrition. A healthy diet contains plenty of nutrients, which are all of the good things our body needs to grow and maintain itself. To make sure that you're getting good nutrition, you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish or grilled chicken. Your body also needs calcium from dairy products like milk and cheese. And don't forget about water: You need plenty of water to keep your body working properly. Things like pizza and French fries might taste good, but they're high in unhealthy fat and sodium, so you shouldn't eat them too often. The same is true of soda, which has a lot of processed sugar that's not good for you. It's OK to have a treat now and then, but most of what you eat should be healthy foods.

You also need to do what you can to keep germs and illnesses away. Eating a nutritious diet helps your body to have what it needs to fight off illnesses, but you can help keep germs out of your body in the first place by washing your hands regularly. You should also go to the doctor for regular checkups. Sometimes, the doctor will need to give you a shot, which isn't fun. But these shots protect you from getting sick, so they're important.

Exercise is also very important for a healthy body. Getting plenty of exercise can keep your muscles strong and healthy. That includes your heart: Your heart is also made of muscle, and exercising helps make it stronger. Exercising also burns calories to keep you from becoming overweight or obese, which can lead to a lot of health problems. When you get more exercise, you might even notice that you're better at thinking and learning: Research has shown that exercise helps release proteins that improve the functioning of your brain.

You know that you need to take care of your body, but you also need to take care of your mind. Mental health is the part of health that has to do with our emotional and social well-being. When you're mentally unhealthy, you might feel stressed, depressed, or anxious or have trouble dealing with the things that happen in your everyday life. Taking care of your body can help with your mental health, and so can simple things like taking a few deep breaths, spending time with your friends, or watching your favorite TV show. But if you're having a hard time handling big feelings or situations that are bothering you, it's important to talk to an adult you trust, like a parent or teacher.

Kids' Health and Nutrition Resource Guide

Health and Wellness

Mental Health

Nutrition

Fitness and Exercise