There are a lot of obstacles in the way of teens’ nutrition! Making sure they get the right amounts of the right foods can be quite a challenge.
Of course, if they have learned to eat right since they were kids, you have laid a good foundation. Still, in the teenage years, there are a few more factors to take into consideration!
Half the teens, boys, will eat everything in sight. The main issue here is making sure dinner isn’t two pizzas or four burgers every night! Make sure he eats his veggies, and try to coax him home for family dinner at least a few days a week. Throw food at him in the form of on the go nutrition for breakfast - teens tend to skip this very important meal!
The other teens, girls, have the opposite problem. Today’s girls are sooo worried about their weight, and it is so vital that they get enough calcium and protein while their bodies are still growing and maturing. Making sure you pay attention, and intervene if you hear derogatory comments like “I’m so fat” when they are not, can really help.
Making sure your teen has a good body image is very important for girls AND boys. Don’t let them be made to feel inadequate because the other guys on the team are bulkier, or the girls on the cheer squad are skinnier. Health is what matters, so don’t listen to excuses! Make sure your teens eat right, and they will be shaped just right for who they are.
Thanks for this post! It is so important to make sure our kids, boys OR girls understand that being healthy is more important than what size clothes they wear or how big their muscles get!