Nutritional advice for teenagers
Adolescence is not just the intermediate phase between childhood and adulthood, but a period of significant physical, hormonal, psychological, intellectual and social changes.
We need to explain to adolescents that the changes they observe in their bodies are completely normal.
- Adolescents are at a stage where they are trying to declare their autonomy through their dietary choices.
- In general, they tend to consume foods that are easy to digest, rich in fat, sugar and sodium such as chips, ice cream, chocolates, croissants, soft drinks, pizzas. Many times, they eat out and consume ready-made meals (fast food), which significantly affects the quality of their diet, reflecting the increasing need for autonomy and time away from home. They also tend to skip meals, especially breakfast.
- We need to discuss with them the importance of a healthy diet and the nutrients it provides for their development and overall health.
- We avoid strictly controlling and monitoring what teenagers eat. However, we inform and advise them to limit their consumption of foods with low nutritional value and high fat and sugar content.
- We limit the availability of unhealthy foods at home and systematic orders from fast food restaurants.
- Body image dissatisfaction is a common characteristic at this age. We are appropriately informed and vigilant, so that we can recognize signs of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, in a timely manner.
- We pay special attention to adolescents with chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, celiac disease), who, in order not to differ from their peers, do not follow the dietary rules, as they should for their disease.
- We can agree with adolescents to help with cooking one day a week or even cook a meal entirely.
- In addition to a balanced diet, it is legitimate for adolescents to have satisfactory physical activity.
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