During the winter time, it seems that getting a cold or the flu is almost inevitable. However, if you take the right steps, you may be able to help your family avoid getting sick this winter. Here are three things you need to keep in mind if you want your family to stay healthy this winter.

#1 Don't Forget Your Greens

The first thing you need to do is make sure that your family doesn't skimp on their greens during the winter time. It can be easy to eat nice salads and snack on vegetables in the summer, when you can grow things in your garden or go to farmer's markets and get lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. However, your body needs to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables all year, not just in the summer time when they are more abundant. Keeping up your intake of fruits and vegetables will help keep your body and your immune system strong and fighting against getting sick.

Try to make sure that about half the food that you serve at every meal is made out of fruits and vegetables. Start your family's breakfast off with a bowl of fruit, a vegetable omelet, or a fruit and vegetable smoothie. For lunch, pack a salad or pasta that is full of vegetables. When you need a snack, keep fruit on hand and easy to eat vegetables such as carrots and bell peppers. When it comes to dinner, you can easily incorporate vegetables into just about every dish.

#2 Dress for the Weather

The next way that you can keep your family health is by making sure that they have all the right clothing to dress for the weather. Make sure that everyone in your house has a nice, warm winter coat, scarf, gloves, and a hat. Make sure that everyone also has rain boots and an umbrella. Finally, make sure that, when everyone leaves the house, they are properly dressed. Dressing properly will help keep everyone in your family health during the wintertime.

#3 Stay Active

Many people enjoy hibernating during the winter time; however, your body is not designed to hibernate like a bear. Your body is designed to stay active no matter what the weather is like outside. Your body needs exercise to keep your immune system strong and to keep your body working properly.

There are lots of ways to stay active during the winter time. If you don't want to leave the house, you can stream or purchase exercise videos that you can have fun doing with your family. Gaming consoles also offer different exercise games that you can play that will get everyone up and moving in a fun and engaging manner.

You don't have to stay inside for all of your exercise needs. Walking outside in the winter can be great for you, as can more active winter activities like snow-shoeing, skiing, and snowboarding.

The key to keeping your family health this winter is to make sure everyone continues to eat a balanced diet, stay active and dress for the weather. For more tips on staying healthy, talk to a doctor like those at Advocare Lerch & Amato Pediatrics .