Being active, staying hydrated and eating well are really important to staying healthy and well.
The healthier families website from the NHS (the new name for Change4Life) and the Be body positive website both have lots of advice and suggestions to promote good health for all children and young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Being active and exercising
Regular physical activity has physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. However, children and young people with disabilities are less likely to be active than non-disabled children.
The benefits that disabled children and young people can gain from being active can be more than just physical, for example building stronger muscles and improving motor strength. Benefits can also include improved confidence and concentration, and the chance to meet new people and develop social skills.
There are a number of council run leisure centres across Devon offering a range of facilities to get active and stay healthy. If you are interested in joining a sports club we also have some information about disability sports groups in Devon you may find useful.
The healthier families website contains useful tips for making activities accessible, as well as some great ideas for indoor games and activities for kids for when you can’t get outside!
Eating well and staying hydrated
Hydration
You need to drink plenty of fluids to stop you getting dehydrated. The government recommends drinking 6 to 8 glasses every day. This is in addition to the fluid you get from the food you eat.
All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water, lower fat milk and lower sugar drinks, including tea and coffee, are healthier choices.
Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks, as they’re high in calories. They’re also bad for your teeth. Even unsweetened fruit juice and smoothies are high in natural sugars – aim to drink no more than 150ml a day (a small glass) of fruit or vegetable juice, or smoothies.
Remember to drink more during hot weather or while exercising.
Healthier eating
Without realising it, we’re all eating too much sugar, saturated fat and salt in our diets. Eating ‘ultra-processed foods’ can also be bad for our health, and mean that we are eating even more fat, salt and sugar than we think. The good news is that there are lots of ways we can eat more healthily with a bit of thought and a few changes!
The healthier families website has some great food facts for families including:
Children grow and develop at different rates, so it’s not always easy to tell if they are getting the right balance of foods, or if their weight is healthy. The healthier families website has some useful tools and information to check children’s weight, as well as advice on what to do if you have any concerns.
ARFID
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a condition where individuals avoid certain foods or have a restricted intake in terms of the overall amount eaten. This can be due to sensory sensitivities, distressing experiences related to food, or a lack of interest in eating.
Achieving a healthy diet can be more difficult where there is avoidance or restriction of certain foods, which is often linked to sensory experiences (smell, texture, taste, colour, temperature). Some foods are less predictable i.e. the texture, taste, and colour of an apple can vary from one apple to another whereas things like biscuits are the same every time unless you change brand or variety. The Be body positive website has tips and resources to help with trying new foods as well as more information about selective and restrictive eating in children and young people.
NHS Food Scanner app
This app helps shoppers swap food and drinks that are higher in sugar, saturated fat and salt to healthier alternatives. With a simple scan of the barcodes, see how much sugar, saturated fat and salt is in everyday food and drinks.
Simply scan the barcodes of your family’s favourite foods, swipe to see the healthier options available, and make a swap next time you shop!
Download the free NHS Food Scanner app from the App Store or from Google Play