Healthy, Fun Ideas for Parties and Get-Togethers!

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Healthy, Fun Ideas for Parties and Get-Togethers!

July 16, 2012 by Cheryl Barber Spires, R.D., L.D.

We are now halfway through the year and summer is in full swing. Looking at the calendar reminds us that there are still many celebrations and gatherings to come. We also know that when people get together, food is almost always at the center of the event.

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ten great tips to remind us to make healthy choices and use MyPlate while enjoying time with our friends and family. When we take time to plan a menu, it does not take many more minutes or cost much more money to also plan some fun physical activity options as well.

Just as the appearance of food on our table makes a big difference in how we appreciate the meal, time spent in making the atmosphere colorful, engaging and fun can make an event much more enjoyable.

Many times we think the cake is the center of a birthday party, but a theme emphasizing what the guests will do, may be even more memorable. An obstacle course for kids and adults alike will bring about smiles and laughter for all ages.

Providing sparkling water with a variety of fresh fruit add-ins or a pick your own fruit smoothie bar, will allow great taste-testing without complaints that there is no soda to be found. Click here for a great recipe. Healthy alternatives can be even more flavorful and fun if we make it a priority to plan ahead and focus on good health for the fun of it.

Check out USDA’s 10 Tips to Make Celebrations Fun, Healthy and Active, and then click on the link below to see the entire factsheet with added tips and ideas. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Make healthy habits part of your celebrations.
Make foods look festive.
Offer thirst quenches that please.
Savor the flavor.
Use ChooseMyPlate.gov to include foods from the food groups for your party.
Make moving part of every event.
Try out some healthier recipes.
Keep it simple.
Shop smart to eat smart.
Be a cheerleader for healthy habits.

Source: United States Department of Agriculture (2012). 10 Tips Nutrition Education Series, Make celebrations fun, healthy & active: 10 tips to creating healthy, active events. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/downloads/TenTips/DGTipsheet20MakeCelebrations.pdf

Written by: Cheryl Barber Spires, R.D., L.D. Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fulton County, spires.53@osu.edu

Posted in Healthy People, Healthy Relationships | Tagged ChooseMyPlate, Exercise, Gatherings, health, healthy choices, healthy eating, healthy meals, Nutrition, parties | 3 Comments

3 Responses

on July 20, 2012 at 12:33 pm | Reply Jemma Smith

Great post – too often parties symbolize binge eating and parents get stressed about letting their kids out for them too often! But they should be about fun, not awful food!
on July 20, 2012 at 1:14 pm | Reply spires53

Thanks, Jemma! I agree, we need to focus more on what we are celebrating — encouraging more conversation, physical activity, and relationship-building and less on overfeeding our guests empty calorie foods. My daughter’s fifth birthday will be approaching soon and while we will have a birthday cake, we will also have a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. I also hope to have some fun active games for all the attendees. Have a great weekend!
on July 23, 2012 at 4:58 am | Reply Jemma Smith

I completely agree with you – It’s all about getting the kids out, not behind computers/TVs and also making sure they learn how to participate in proper conversations early on – I’m sure your daughter loved her birthday 🙂

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