The bodies of teenagers will continue to grow and develop until at least age 18. To fuel this growth, teens require a health-building diet, properly balanced with fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Crash dieting usually means not only a reduction in calories, but also a reduced intake of needed vitamins and minerals. Teens should avoid the risks of dieting by making smart choices that include healthy, nutritious foods free of unnecessary sugar, fat and calories. There are several eating plans available online and in book form that can guide and support teens in their efforts to achieve a healthy weight.
SparkTeens.Com
SparkTeens.com is a spin-off of the popular SparkPeople.com diet and fitness site. SparkTeens was created as a diet and nutrition resource specifically for teens aged 13 to 17. On the site are meal plans, exercises complete with video demonstrations, recipes and a calorie counter. Experts are available to respond to teens' questions about diet and exercise. The site assures parents that it offers "age-appropriate information and resources about health, nutrition, fitness and weight management, and a positive community where teens can connect with and support one another as they reach their goals." Using guidelines from your doctor, parent and teen can complete the online questionnaire and select the most appropriate diet. Parents are advised to consider the maturity of their child with regard to her ability to interact online with older teens. They should direct their child to other resources if he or she is under the age of 13.
SmartDiets.Com
SmartDiets offers customized weight loss plans at a fraction of the cost of a registered dietitian. Developing a customized weight loss program for you, SmartDiets "takes into consideration your gender, age, eating habits, food likes and dislikes, blood type, whether or not you work out, and other factors when creating the perfect customized diet for YOU." Of particular interest to teens is the ability to block certain types of foods you dislike or may be allergic to. The goal is to help you burn body fat as quickly as possible while putting foods on your eating plan that you actually like. The SmartDiets program has a unique "splurge" option that allows you to eat whatever you want on splurge days, even fast food. A money back guarantee assures that if you follow the plan for six months and don't lose weight, you get every dime of your money back. Because SmartDiets can be customized for the individual, it is appropriate for teens.
The Biggest Loser
Modeled after the fitness program featured on the popular reality television show, The Biggest Loser has transferred its signature fitness and eating plan into book form to be used at home. This program includes both exercise and diet plans suitable for use by growing teens that have been reviewed by doctors and experienced fitness professionals. The Biggest Loser diet plan is a low-calorie eating plan based on the Biggest Loser concept of 4-3-2-1 (four servings of fruits and veggies, three servings of lean protein, two servings of complex carbohydrates and one "extra" per day of something fatty or sweet). Couple that with an hour of exercise per day and you're on your way to goal weight. This program helps teens to identify and change their bad eating habits and maintain their new weight after reaching their goal. The Biggest Loser: The Weight-Loss Program to Transform your Body, Health, and Life is available at any major book retailer.
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