Importance of Teen Diet

Why it is important for a teen to eat healthy foods?

• Lack of macro-nutrients in teen diet can lead to diseases later in life. Example: Lack of Calcium = osteoporosis.
• Healthy eating patterns early in teen years can lead to good healthy eating later in life and less chance of being obese.
• Helps you to control your body weight, so that you are not underweight or overweight
• Give you more energy to enjoy all kinds of physical activity, like surfing, football, and dancing
• support your body while you are growing and developing so that you reach your full physical potential
• Some studies suggest that what you eat affects your mood . A good balanced dit will make sure you have all the essential nutrients needed for your brain to function.

A healthy diet can help you avoid diet-related diseases. Examples are

1. heart disease
2. high cholesterol
3. high blood pressure
4. strokes
5. Adult-onset diabetes
6. many other cancers

Simple Carbohydrates like candy, bars and soda keeps the energy level going and avoid weight gain. Complex carbohydrates like whole-grain breads and cereals and combine them with protein-rich snakcs such as peanut butter.

"All-Natural Juices" or sodas can be filled with sugar. Sugar is technically a natural ingredient but having too much sugar in your body high amounts of calories

http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/healthy_snacks.html#

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