Your teenager's diet will play a significant role in his current and future health. Getting adequate energy and nutrients is important, though the specific needs of your child may depend on a number of different factors.
Calorie Needs
According to the Family Education Network, most teens need additional energy and nutrition to meet the growth and developmental needs taking place in their bodies. Females need around 2,400 calories and males require between 2,800 and 3,000 calories daily.
Variables
Your teen's daily caloric expenditure will vary in comparison to other teens depending on her activity level, metabolism, body type, age and stage of puberty. Keep in mind that while your child may need extra calories during significant growth spurts, consuming more calories than the body needs can cause unwanted weight gain.
Teens and Nutrition
Eating nutritious, balanced meals is crucial during the teen years. Fruits, vegetables, dairy, lean protein and whole-grains should be the focus of your child's diet, especially foods containing calcium, iron and folate. Inadequate calories and nutrients can cause health and developmental problems.
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