Teenage boys experience rapid growth and change, requiring them to get proper nutrients from their daily diets. Teenage boys who are active in after-school activities such as sports may need additional amounts of nutrients, such as protein, to support growing muscles. Additionally, eating a healthy breakfast, adequate caloric intake and healthy snacks will give your teen the energy needed to complete daily tasks. Always consult with your child's pediatrician prior to changing his diet.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of your day, and also of your teen's. Eating breakfast within one hour of waking up will help supply your body with energy for the day as well as help prevent you from eating junk foods throughout the day. A healthy breakfast should consist of whole grains, protein, dairy products and fruits. An example of a healthy breakfast would be a bowl of whole grain cereal, a hard-boiled egg, low-fat yogurt and an orange or a glass of orange juice.
Lunch
Eating a healthy lunch will give your teen the fuel and energy to maintain performance for school work and after-school activities. Additionally, it will help hold them over until dinner time. If your teen carries his lunch to school, you may be able to prevent him from overeating while ensuring he eats nutritious foods. An example of a healthy lunch for your teen is a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, carrot and celery sticks with low-fat ranch dressing, a piece of fruit and a bottle of water or naturally sweetened fruit juice.
Dinner
Your teen's dinner should be nutritious as well as filling enough to keep him full for the next 12 hours. Additionally, when possible, eating dinner at the same time each night may prevent your teen from late-night snacking on junk food. An example of a healthy, nutritious dinner may include a 3 oz. piece of baked fish, two servings of steamed vegetables, a slice of wheat bread or a wheat roll and a bottle of water.
Snacks
Frequent hunger is common during the teenage years due to your teen's body's growth demands, says KidsHealth.org. Healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables will help keep a teenager's energy levels high for after-school activities, sports and to hold you over until dinner. Healthy snacks include veggie sticks such as celery and carrots dipped in low-fat dressing, low-fat yogurt and bottled water.
Recommendation
According to MayoClinic.com, teenage obesity is a growing, dangerous problem. Underactive teens who do not eat a healthy and nutritional diet are at greater risk of becoming obese. Teenagers should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Member Comments