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Nutrition for Healthy Teenagers

Good nutrition is important for all people, but especially for adolescents because they are growing and developing quickly during this time. Minerals, vitamins, proteins and healthy fats are essential to keep up with growth and ensure it has all the energy, building blocks and co-factors to support the body.

Teenagers often experience an increase in appetite which is completely normal; however they are more likely to fill up on junk food than fruit and vegetables. This means that they are consuming a lot of processed foods and empty calories which can lead to weight gain, acne, low energy and other issues associated with nutrient deficiencies. Parents and schools need to encourage teenagers to eat well by educating them on why they should be eating less processed, junk food and instead eat healthier fresh, organic foods.

Try to shop with your teenager in mind and stock the cupboard with healthy snacks like nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, wholegrain crackers and organic protein bars so that they can reach for something nutritious when they are hungry. Stop purchasing salty, fatty and sugary processed foods and instead replace them home-made meals made with fruits, vegetables, free-range meat, fish, whole grains, eggs, organic dairy and legumes.

Limiting sugary, fizzy drinks is also an important step for teenagers as these create an acidic environment in the body and have a negative effect on skin, teeth and bones. Encourage them to drink 2 litres of water a day, which they can flavour with fresh lemon, mint or orange.

Portraying healthy eating habits in front of your children is a wonderful way to reinforce healthy behaviour and encourage them to take an interest in health and nutrition. You can do this by cooking together as a family, inviting them to do the weekly shopping with you and making sure to eat a healthy breakfast and dinner together as a family each day.

Often teenagers battle with low self-esteem and body image issues which can lead to severely restricting their food intake and even developing eating disorders. If you notice this behaviour in your child it may be necessary to seek professional advice from a nutritional therapist, dietician, doctor or physiologist. On the other hand, weight gain may also cause physical and psychological issues for teenagers and the advice of a nutritional therapist would be useful in this case too.

Sources

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/teenage_nutrition