skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, September 20, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

COVID-19: Kids at Home? Nutrition, Activities Still Necessary

play audio
Play

Monday, March 23, 2020   

MINNEAPOLIS -- With Minnesota schools closed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, parents may be trying to impose more structure at home than they're used to. Health experts say being flexible and creative can help families don't stay on track with healthy habits.

Sueling Schardin is a registered dietitian with the American Heart Association. She said keeping unhealthy snacks out of reach is a good start. She says that can be done by only leaving out one or two each day and hiding the main supply.

And if your local store is running low on fresh fruits and vegetables, she said other options can work.

"Even if you don't have the lower-sodium canned vegetables, you can always drain the liquid and rinse the vegetables to get rid of some of that sodium," Schardin said.

She said bags of frozen fruit work well, too. As for keeping kids active, family walks and having kids help with yard work are possibilities.

For lower-income households, Schardin stressed local schools still are making free meals available. And if you don't have a yard or ample play space in your home, simple things like a family dance party will keep kids moving and even boost morale.

Schardin says constant video-gaming or binge-watching with no exercise is never a good idea, but technology can be useful in these situations.

"Teachers have been great about posting different activities that kids can do, so take advantage of those resources," she said. "And the dance community has been awesome, and they're posting a lot of free online classes on Instagram."

Schardin said if you're making any food donations, try to ensure they're healthy items, such as rice, pasta and canned vegetables. More tips are available at heart.org.

Disclosure: American Heart Association of Minnesota contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Smoking Prevention. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Health Literacy Month, and a Denver-based group is working to help health professionals break a persistent pattern of discrimination …

Environment

play sound

A new report contends fossil fuel funding has biased Columbia University's climate research. The report, by two Columbia students, shows the …


Alabama releases roughly 220,279 men and 78,247 women from its prisons and jails each year. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …

Health and Wellness

play sound

In North Carolina, the gap between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the actual cost of dental care has reached a crisis point, impacting both …

A 2023 report by Oceana and Turtle Island Restoration Network found that more than half of the animals caught in gillnets are thrown overboard as waste. (Oceana and Blancpain)

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

Environment

play sound

Rising demands for clean energy efficiency are producing a wealth of work opportunities in Illinois. These in-demand jobs are also promoting a …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021