Being overweight as a teen can be embarrassing and even lead to depression. Fad diets with false promises may leave you feeling frustrated; however, there is an answer to making weight loss easy. A balanced diet that not only lets you eat all foods but also keeps you losing weight exists. Making changes to your diet will help you reach your weight loss goals.
Significance
Teenage obesity is a growing problem that can be prevented. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 18.1 percent of teens are obese. Being overweight puts your health in jeopardy and you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Teens who are overweight are more likely to stay overweight in their adult years. Changing your food habits will help you lose weight; a healthy weight loss is one to two pounds per week.
Choose Breakfast
As a teen, you must fuel for you body for each day by eating breakfast. According to the website Meals Matter, breakfast eaters eat fewer calories and have better nutrition habits than those who skip a morning meal. When making breakfast at home, you should choose whole grains to keep you full and provide your body with essential nutrients. Protein should also be included in your diet breakfast. Choose whole wheat waffles and a serving of yogurt or whole wheat toast with peanut butter and strawberries. Another healthy breakfast might include half a whole wheat bagel and a half cup of cottage cheese.
Snacks
Having two snacks throughout your day is important in a diet because it will keep your body energized as well as preventing overeating during meals. Snacks can be easily made at home or packed for on the go. MayoClinic.com suggests 100-calorie snacks when you are trying to lose weight, such as one cup of fresh fruit, one fat free pudding, half a cup of popcorn, string cheese and carrots or a handful of almonds.
Building A Meal
Whether you are preparing lunch or dinner at home you should include whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats in your meal. Examples of lean protein are chicken, turkey, beans and even fish, and healthy fats include olive oil, nuts and avocado. Some healthy lunch ideas you can make at home include peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat with veggies, whole wheat turkey wrap with cheese and avocado or even a salad with chicken and whole grain crackers. Dinners you can make fast at home are a whole wheat tortilla with cheese and black beans or half a cup of whole wheat pasta and chicken with veggies.
Member Comments