We are excited to announce the winner of the 2013 Essay for Health Contest from Louie’s Kids.
Congratulations to Skylar Chambers of Berkeley High School
Below is her essay about how computers and the internet can help her lead a healthier lifestyle.
The United States is one of the unhealthiest countries in the world, but we can use computers and the internet to change that. Both of these things can help a person obtain a healthier lifestyle in many different ways. You can discover new and healthier ways of eating, reaching nutritional goals, and even ways of exercising in the comfort of your own home. There is no reason to pay for pricey gym memberships when you have the internet at your fingertips.
One way that the internet can be used to improve a person’s health is by discovering new recipes. For small kids, the food should look fun and interesting but still be healthy and satisfying. For example, fruit cut into the shapes of flowers surrounded by broccoli “bushes” and asparagus “trees” will be more appealing to the child. It is also important to get the children involved in these ideas such as using food to create colorful and edible pictures. You can search online for some of your favorite everyday foods that may be unhealthy and find ways to substitute the “bad” for the “good”. For instance, you can still have pizza! One idea is to substitute the flour crust for a whole wheat crust. Why not change the crust all together?! Kids don’t like the idea of eating vegetables already, so why not disguise them by making a pizza crust out of cauliflower!
When starting a healthier lifestyle, it doesn’t mean you have to cut out all of the foods you usually eat. Instead of pouring piles of sugar and salt onto your food, you can use healthier foods that are more tasteful that will better prepare you for the day. Stop using those diet pills and medicines that don’t have guaranteed results, and start enjoying the foods you like just by changing a few ingredients. You don’t have to feel pressured into eating the foods you don’t like, when you can just make your favorite foods better for you and still satisfying to your taste buds by simply searching new and creative ideas.
Now, let’s admit that most people are even too lazy to even reach for certain items that are within walking distance. The real question here is, “Does exercise have to be tiring and boring?” No! Playing soccer, basketball, or a nice walk with your dog is fun!
Sometimes, we take internet for granted. Most of us don’t even think about the ways we could use it to eat healthier and learn new exercise techniques. If we start discovering new ways and ideas to change our lifestyle, it can help fight viruses and illnesses faster, while also preparing us for the future and helping us build a stronger foundation to live a longer and healthier life all with a little help from a few sources that are all available with a touch of a button. With internet we can change the future and help America with the start to a better and healthier tomorrow.
We are so proud of Skylar and look forward to her journey towards better health!