As a teenager, there are numerous reasons you may have for dieting. You may be trying to lose weight for athletics, or you may simply want to become healthier. No matter what your reasoning is, it is vital that you diet correctly. It is important to understand that your body is still growing. If you do not provide you body with the nutrition and calories it needs, your overall growth can become hampered. By following some simple tips, your diet can be healthy and successful.
Make Your Goals Realistic
One of the most important things you can do when dieting is set goals that are attainable. Setting unrealistic goals that are nearly impossible to meet will simply frustrate you and possibly lead to completely giving up your diet. A realistic goal should be to lose approximately one pound per week. This goal also prevents you from dropping your calories too low. No matter what your goals are, do not allow your daily caloric intake to fall below 1,300 calories as you would likely not be getting the proper nutrition, nor would you feel satisfied.
Consume Water or Drinks with No Calories
When you are thirsty, your brain can send signals that confuse your body and makes you think you are hungry. These confusing signals may cause you to overeat when drinking a glass of water would have done the trick. If you don't care for water or are looking for something with flavor, add a slice of lemon or orange to your water. If that still doesn't work for you, brew a cup of peach or mango herbal tea, which both provide big shots of flavor and no calories.
Consume Several Small Meals Throughout the Day
In order to lose weight, you must burn more calories that you consume each day. This can prove to be a challenge if you feel like you are constantly hungry. By eating four to five small meals per day, you will constantly be providing your body with the energy it needs while preventing the onset of hunger. Simply divide your calories into small meals or snacks and consume them starting with breakfast and ending with dinner, which should be your final meal of the day.
Keep Healthy Convenience Foods Handy
Keeping snacks that can be eaten immediately or food staples that can be used to make a meal in just a few minutes can help fight the urge to turn to fast food, pizza or other unhealthy choices. Even if you have to pre-cook some of your diet staples, such as boneless, skinless chicken breasts and brown rice, it will help to have them on hand. Some other examples include frozen vegetables, whole grain bread, tortillas or pitas, pre-washed greens, canned beans, nuts and fat-free microwave popcorn.
References
- "The Diet for Teenagers Only"; Barbara Schroeder; 2005
- "Healthy Weight Loss For Teens"; Alexander Marriot; 2010
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