Teenagers' bodies continue to develop, grow and change throughout their teen years. The number of calories a teen needs in order to function properly each day depends on gender, age and physical activity level.
Female Caloric Needs
According to the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, females age 11 to 13 who seldom exercise should consume 1,600 calories each day, while those age 14 to 18 need 1,800 calories. Teenage girls between 11 and 13 who are moderately active require 1,600 to 2,200 calories each day, and girls age 14 to 18 need 2,000 calories. Vigorously active teen girls need between 1,800 and 2,400 calories a day.
Male Caloric Needs
Sedentary males 11 to 13 years of age need 1,800 calories each day, while those 14 to 18 years of age need 2,200 calories, according to the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Teen boys who exercise on a regular basis require more calories per day than boys who seldom exercise. Teen boys age 11 to 13 who are moderately active should consume 1,800 to 2,200 calories each day, while those who are vigorously active need up to 2,600 calories a day. Moderately active males age 14 to 18 need 2,400 to 2,800 calories and those who exercise vigorously require up to 3,200 calories each day.
Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet of healthy foods helps teens obtain the vitamins and nutrients they need while maintaining a healthy weight. Whole grains, lean protein, fresh protein and low-fat dairy should be staples in meals throughout the day. Have healthy snacks on hand to avoid eating processed junk food or sugary beverages.
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