Teenagers typically enjoy fun comfort foods that are easy to share with friends. A healthy diet and exercise are equally important for a healthy body, especially one that is still growing. Most food companies that target teenagers offer junk food and sodas. Healthier teenage eating habits can set the stage for a healthy diet for the rest of their lives.
Homemade Pizza
Your teenager can invite friends over to cook a homemade pizza. Use whole-grain crust from a mixture of whole-wheat flour and ground flaxseed. Flaxseed meal is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, according to the American Dietetic Association. Use organic toppings like pizza sauce and vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, black olives, green peppers and any other vegetables that your teenager enjoys. Add organic low-fat cheese on top. Serve this with a large salad and use olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sea salt and herbs as a salad dressing.
Vegetarian Hamburger
A vegetarian hamburger can replace a beef hamburger that is high in saturated fats. Another option is to use a turkey-based burger. Serve the burger on a sprouted, whole-grain bun to add fiber, which aids in digestion and may lower cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Add plenty of vegetables to the burger like green-leaf lettuce, sprouts, tomatoes and onions. Add hummus instead of the standard condiments to provide your teenager with extra vitamins, minerals and protein. Bake sweet potato fries for extra vitamin A and fiber.
Popcorn
Instead of butter on popcorn or making microwavable popcorn, both of which are less healthy options, make it on the stove-top with a small amount of olive oil and sea salt. Top it by sprinkling it with fortified nutritional yeast, which has a buttery flavor and contains nutrients like vitamin B12.
Ice Cream
Instead of milk-based ice cream that contains a high amount of saturated fats, provide your teenager with a light coconut milk-based ice cream, which has a similar flavor and texture as ice cream made with dairy.
Natural Soda
Replace sodas in the house with canned natural sodas or ingredients so your teens can make their own sodas. Standard sodas contain a huge amount of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, all of which aren't conducive to good health. You can buy canned natural sodas at most health-food stores. For a homemade soda, buy carbonated spring water and your teenager's favorite juices.
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