Healthy Eating Tips for Teenagers

Many times, we hear about a teenage girl starving herself to reduce weight. And the worst is they doing it without getting the doctor's advice. My cousin also did the same thing. She lost about 8 pounds within 2 weeks. During that time she developed spots all over her face and body. After that, she spent several weeks under the care of her doctor undoing the damage she had done to her body by starving herself. Teenagers, let this incident be a warning to you! "When we stop eating, we stop giving our bodies the nutrition it requires to stay healthy and it begins to misfunction."

Teen diets should not be considered until their physical growth has been completed. This completion in teenagers usually occurs around 18 years of age. Until that time teenage weight loss should not be considered without consulting doctor.

What the teenagers need is healthy eating, not dieting! Yes, because dieting can cause health problems for teenagers. During your teen years, between the ages of 12-17 years, about 90% of our body anatomy structure and bone mass of an adult is laid down as a foundation. This not the time to be depriving your body of the essential vitamins which it requires like calcium, vitamins C&D.

During these years, even a short period of "strict dieting" could lead to a low bone density level. Low bone density weakens your bones in your later years; they become fragile and are susceptible to fractures and breakage.

Teen Dieting can also lead to low levels of frolic acid and iron, both of which may prevent you from becoming anemic. An anemic individual tends to be constantly tire. Their intellectual performance becomes impaired.

Teens, as long as you eat a variety of foods, from the 5 major food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains [rice, pasta, oats etc] lean meats, dairy, low fats) in the right portions you should get all the nutrition you need. Also, don’t need to deprive yourself of higher-calorie foods, like ice cream, pizza, cheeseburgers etc. You can enjoy all these foods and others in moderation. But, make sure that half the plate contains vegetables and the remaining half divided equally between protein (meat, eggs, beans) and carbohydrates (rice, pasta, potatoes). When eating pizza, go easy on the cheese and pepperoni an heavy on vegetables and fruit.

Take snacks of freshly slice fruit to school with you. You can also include some Walnuts or Brazilian nuts to munch on.