Healthy Diet for TeenagersHealthy diet for teenagers?....well between school, activities, dances, friends and homework, sometimes eating healthy can become a bit of a challenge for teenagers. Grabbing a meal at McDonald’s or calling out for a pizza is quicker and requires less time than actually preparing and cooking a meal at home.Only problem is this continued habit can lead to obesity, diabetes, or other health problems. It is important that teenagers understand the importance of eating healthy, and as a parent, it is your job to encourage and surround your children with good eats! According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a healthy diet for teenagers consist of 2,200 calories for girls, and 2,800 calories for boys. This may seem like a lot of calories, but you have to remember that teenagers are constantly growing. They need these calories for nourishment.
A wonderful way to make sure your teenager is getting the proper nutrients is to prepare home cooked meals and sit down for dinner together. Make better choices at the grocery so that you and your family can have a household filled with healthy food. For example, instead of buying a bag of chips, buy a bag of whole wheat crackers. Stock up on low-fat yogurt instead of ice cream. Select whole wheat bagels instead of sugary cereals. Skip the donuts and buy fruit. There are so many healthy alternatives that you can take advantage of to ensure your teenager is getting the right foods. Below is a list of the foods your teenager should be eating each and every day, along with the suggested servings for each food group:
A healthy diet for teenagers does not have to be difficult. All you have to do is make healthier food choices by selecting foods within each food group, and making these foods available in your home. Treat your family to an occasional pizza, or go to your favorite restaurant, but just do so in moderation.
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