Rural Health Matters: Keeping Kids Healthy for Christmas Break

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined Rural Health Matters to outline a few key reminders for parents about keeping kids healthy during the holiday season.

LINCOLN, Neb. (RFD-TV) — As families gear up for the excitement of the holiday season, health experts say it is also a good time to think about how to keep kids healthy while they are out of school. With routines shifting for a week or two, children may be more vulnerable to stress, disrupted sleep, and overindulgence.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined Rural Health Matters to outline a few key reminders for parents. He says the break from school — along with travel, late nights, and packed schedules — can throw off the structure kids rely on. Maintaining consistency in meals, sleep, and downtime can help them stay energized and avoid becoming run-down.

While holiday treats are part of the fun, Dr. Gold notes that moderation still matters. A few sweets are fine, but parents should be mindful to balance snacks with healthier choices to help kids feel their best.

As families prepare for the last school bell of the year, Dr. Gold encourages parents to enjoy the season while keeping simple health habits in mind.

Viewers with rural health questions can email them to Dr. Gold at [email protected] .

Related Stories
We spotlight a student from Illinois who is helping to launch a middle school chapter and teaching younger students about the impact of agriculture in their communities.
FarmHER Annaliese Wegner joined us to dish about her episode of Dirt Diaries, talk about her own podcast, and other exciting moments ahead for Ag’s Most Okayest Farm Girls.
AFBF Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub joins us to dive into H-2A visa program changes and what can be done to ease the pressure on producers.
As the government shutdown pushes the farm economy closer to the brink, Sens. Grassley and Ernst of Iowa are raising their voices for agriculture.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses eye protection and injury prevention in everyday agricultural activities on Rural Health Matters.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Jerry Cosgrove with American Farmland Trust explains why farmers and ranchers should start their estate planning now.
Elizabeth Strom of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined RFD-TV to provide the latest perspective on post-harvest business planning and cropland markets in the Midwest.
Dalton Henry, with U.S. Wheat Associates, joined RFD-TV to provide insight on what the pending trade frameworks may mean for American wheat growers.
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined RFD-TV to provide the latest insights on diabetes and rural health.
Our friend Jake Charleston at Specialty Risk Insurance joins us for an industry update.
Mary-Thomas Hart, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, discusses the latest WOTUS developments and their implications for agriculture.
More Shows
Circle Sessions offers a more personal look at country music’s leading artists, featuring intimate discussions and behind-the-scenes moments filmed in and around the Opry’s circle.
Opry Live is the premier weekly broadcast and livestream of the Grand Ole Opry, featuring country music superstars, legends, and rising talent performing on stage in Nashville.
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Griddle Nation is a celebration of griddle-loving home cooks across the nation.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
RFD News coverage of energy and fuel markets, including Brent crude oil, diesel, solar, wind, geothermal, and electrical power, and the latest policy updates on biofuel and ethanol.
Each spring, Rodeo Austin welcomes junior livestock exhibitors and horse show exhibitors to the annual Fair and Rodeo typically held in March. On average more than 9,000 exhibitors compete to enhance their agricultural education. Rodeo Austin is proud to provide these opportunities for youth to succeed.
It’s one of our favorite times of the year – Winter Stock Show Season! And to celebrate the hard work of the future of agriculture, we’re streaming live from some of the biggest livestock shows in Texas.
Through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, calf scramble program and show premiums, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo impacts over 22,000 youth in Texas annually.