Teenagers - The mysterious age when males and females are more than children but not yet adults.
A time of raging hormones and emotions creating havoc and confusion for both child and parent alike.
During this critical point in their lives most teens are highly active and need energy from many different food sources.
To make sure your teen has the energy to withstand the day to day traumas of school and peer pressure it is important to teach your teen the benefits of healthy eating.
Nutritionists agree that healthy eating is just a way of balancing the quantity and type of food they eat to keep them full of energy,strengthen their muscles and give them the proper nourishment.
Below are some diet tips for teens which will help educate your teenager into adopting a healthy diet.
Teach your teen the benefits of a healthy diet Just what is a healthy diet? Ask ten people and you will probably get ten different answers.
In basic terms a healthy diet means eating foods from all the food groups including healthy fats such as those from avocados not pizza.
A truly healthy diet is a balancing act of combining nutritious foods with small amounts of typical teenage foods like sugar and fast food items.
This also refers to eating when you are hungry and stopping when you feel full.
Do not over indulge.
Have Your Teen Plan Their Own Meals Have them work up a meal plan that allows for three meals and snacks during the day.
In a balanced diet it is important to eat throughout the day not just one big meal.
Most of us tend to skip breakfast which makes us overeat later in the day.
Eliminate Excess Sugar and Salt Since this sometimes makes up about 90% of a teens diet this is a tough one to follow.
Drinks that have a lot of sugar are empty calorie sources.
Without the necessary vitamins and minerals a huge sugar crash is in your teens future.
Have your teen try flavored mineral water or other sugar free drinks instead.
Other sugars like ice cream, cake, cookies etc have a lot of sugar but eaten in moderation with healthy foods these are acceptable These are just a few tips to help your child cope with life through healthy eating.
A balanced diet will go a long way in helping your teenager cope with the day to day pressures of life.
Diet tips for teens actually apply to all of us.