Table of contents:
- Junk food is a source of energy that is not good for your body
- Tips for improving your diet
- Change the way you think about food
- Change your eating environment
- It's important to remember
Good nutrition is very important for everyone, especially for growing teenagers. Unfortunately, many teenagers have an unbalanced diet. It takes effort to change your eating habits, but even simple changes can make a big difference. You will feel better and may find it easier to maintain your weight.
Junk food is a source of energy that is not good for your body
Many teens eat junk food every day. This junk food also includes sugary drinks like soda and high-calorie snacks like potato chips. However, your body cannot function properly if you only eat junk food like this.
ALSO READ: Tips for Choosing Healthy Food at Fast Food Restaurants
Compared to home-cooked food, junk food (including fast food) almost always contains:
- High fat content, especially saturated fat
- Higher salt
- Higher sugar
- Low in fiber
- Lower nutrients, such as calcium and iron
- Served in larger portions, which means more calories.
Although heart attacks in adolescence may take too long to be true, it may be that your body is already experiencing health problems that you don't know about today. A poor diet can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, constipation, fatigue and concentration problems, even when you are young.
Tips for improving your diet
Small changes can make a big impact. Try to:
- Cut down on sugary drinks such as soft drinks and energy drinks. Sugar-free drinks are fine to drink sometimes, but they are acidic in nature, which can have a devastating effect on healthy bones and teeth. Water is a healthy drink. Try adding a slice of lemon, lime or orange for flavor.
- Have a bowl of fruit at home for a quick, low-calorie snack
- Have breakfast every day so you are less likely to snack on breaks. A whole grain breakfast or a breakfast of low-sugar whole grain breakfast served with low-fat milk can provide lots of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Other quick and healthy breakfast options include yogurt or whole wheat bread
ALSO READ: 8 Healthy Snacks That You Can Eat at Night
- Don't miss lunch or dinner
- Help parents prepare meals while thinking of new ways to make healthier meals. Turn family recipes into low-fat meals by changing cooking methods - for example, baking, sautéing, boiling or using the microwave, rather than frying
- Reduce your food portions
- Don't add excess salt to your food
- Don't eat a high-fat meal every time you visit a fast food outlet with your friends. Many of the popular fast food outlets now provide healthy food options
- Change your meeting place. Instead of meeting up with your friends at a fast food outlet, try to suggest food outlets that serve healthy foods, such as whole wheat bread with vegetable filling, or sushi.
Change the way you think about food
There are many myths about healthy food. Don't make food choices based on false beliefs. Suggestions include:
- Compare the price of junk food against the price of healthy food to see that being 'healthy' doesn't have to be 'expensive'
- Experiment with different food recipes. You will quickly find that a meal cooked with fresh ingredients is always more beneficial than a burger or junk potato
- Try different healthy fast food foods such as whole grain breakfast cereals, muesli, whole wheat bread, whole wheat muffins, fruit, yogurt, or pasta.
- Don't think that your diet should avoid all types of food. Adopting a good diet does not mean you have to eat strange healthy foods. A good diet pattern can eat other tasty foods for the occasional,
Change your eating environment
Advice:
- Try lobbying your school canteen for healthy food options
- Ask your school canteen to include a variety of healthy food options at low prices
- Go shopping and choose less processed foods
- Take part in cooking at home
ALSO READ: Eating While Watching TV Can Cause Obesity
It's important to remember
- A teenager who eats fast food regularly is more at risk for being overweight than a teenager who eats fast food only occasionally.
- A diet consisting of healthy foods and snacks will increase your intake of nutrients such as calcium, which is necessary for the growth of strong bones
- Eating well doesn't mean you have to eat weird healthy foods. A good diet makes it possible to eat your favorite junk food every now and then.
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