If you have a teen in the home, you’ve probably noticed that youth experience a growth spurt during the teenage years, which causes their appetites to increase. Healthy eating during the teenage years keeps their bodies strong, energized and well-nourished, which is important to helping them grow. When they feel healthy, teens (and people of all ages) are better able to cope with stress and problems without feeling the need to use cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. Because their appetites and need for healthy eating are at an all-time high, it is extremely important that teens learn to make informed food choices and develop sound eating and physical activity habits.
Several changes involving food occur when teenagers grow and become more independent:
- Teens begin to make food choices on their own.
- Teens eat more meals away from home due to busier schedules and spending more time with their friends.
- Convenience becomes more important than nutrition, which leads to too much eating of unhealthy foods (for example, sodas, fast food and processed foods).
- Dieting. Girls may feel pressure from peers to be thin and limit what they eat. Both boys and girls may diet to “make weight” for a particular sporting or social event.
As you prepare meals for your teen, here are some things to remember that will encourage them to choose healthy foods they need:
- Help them learn about nutrition for themselves by providing teen-oriented magazines or websites with food articles.
- Take their suggestions, when possible, regarding foods to prepare at home and encourage them to assist you in meal preparation.
- Experiment with foods outside your own culture.
Have several nutritious snack foods readily available. Often, teenagers will eat whatever is convenient. - If there are foods you do not want your teen to eat, avoid bringing them into the home.
- Do not criticize your teen’s unhealthy eating choices but be willing to talk openly and listen to them about why they choose to eat certain foods.
- Model healthy eating habits. You are your child’s most effective teacher.
Exercise
Exercise is good for teenagers’ muscle and bone development and will help them maintain a healthy heart. Encourage your teen to get moving by doing something active they enjoy every day. Suggest they involve their friends in some active fun like hiking, soccer, dancing, climbing, riding bikes or just going for a walk. If your teen is reluctant to exercise, encourage them that getting their body moving will help them feel better, think better and have more energy. Make exercise something the entire family does. Again, you are your child’s most effective teacher. Parents, talk to your teens. They will listen!
