New Year is that time of the year, when we make resolutions, to quit bad habits and acquire the good ones. Never mind that within a few weeks of the new year, these resolutions bite the dust. But don't let that excuse ruin your life any more. We bring you tips to ensure happy, healthier and energized new year, so that you and your family can enjoy life even better.

The following helpful tips will make it fun for your entire family to stay on track all year long!

1. Promise to become healthy as a family

Research shows families who adopt better nutrition and fitness habits together have a higher success rate to achieve an overall healthier lifestyle. A good place to start is to participate in the 'Just One More for Healthy Living' pledge. This program encourages families to take simple steps each day to yield significant results towards a healthy lifestyle. Families simply pledge online (www.EatJustOneMore.com) to add just one more serving of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes daily, one more serving weekly of lean protein, such as tuna, and 30 more minutes of daily activity. Families can also track their progress online and learn additional easy tips to maintain a healthy, realistic lifestyle that works with even the busiest of family schedules.

2. Little chefs

Research shows that when children have a role in meal planning, they are more inclined to eat it. Get them excited about the process. Try having the kids create their own menu of healthy snacks to enjoy. Additionally, keeping nutritious options on hand that your child is excited about means they may not be as inclined to reach for the salty or sugary snacks. A great sweet treat to keep stashed in the pantry is Del Monte Healthy Kids. Fortified with vitamins A and C as well as calcium, the peach and fruit cocktail varieties are the first fortified fruit cups on the market (DelMonte.com), and provide the essential vitamins kids need to live happier, healthier lives.

3. Teach your kids to “Eat the Rainbow” every day

This is a fun way for kids -- and adults -- to get the balanced nutrition they need. Kids love to keep track of all the “colors” they eat during the day -- even green! So associate their healthy diet options with various colors and make it a fun game to count how many colors every member of the family eats daily. Besides making it a group activity, this game will ensure that your child is more aware of what he is eating and what he should not eat.

4. Bring back the family dinner

Studies indicate that families that eat together are healthier, simply because children who eat with their family develop healthier habits than those who don’t. If you want to decrease the risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases for your child make sure you have your dinner on time and together.

5. Family fun day

There is no susbtitute for physical activity, therefore, get up and get going. Plan family outings, where everyone gets to do his or her share of physical grind. You can also incorporate all family's help in doing household chores, so that their daily quota of physical labor is taken care of. You may also take up a sport as a family activity. Besides toning your bodies, the sports activity will bond your family even closer and who knows, it may also hone up your child's latent talent.

We seriously believe that health is wealth and all the parties, food and drinks on the New Year's eve should be no reason for you abandon this thought. Therefore, get help from the tips to ensure happy, healthier and energized new year!

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