Teen girls can spend a huge amount of time looking at themselves in the mirror and focusing on what they perceive as imperfections. Weight is a common issue for girls this age, and you may be worried that your daughter may engage in unhealthy eating habits if she dislikes the way she looks. Knowing more about how to maintain a healthy weight can help you teach your daughter ways to improve her self-image. Speak with your daughter's doctor to determine what her healthy weight is depending on her height and age and then incorporate these practices into her life.
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
One of the most important steps your teen daughter can take to reach and maintain a healthy weight is to eat healthy foods. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and supply many different nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Take your daughter grocery shopping with you and allow her to choose a variety of fruits and vegetables to eat during the upcoming week. Work together to wash and chop them so she has a quick snack when she gets hungry. Prepare at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal and encourage your daughter to fill up on them rather than eating large amounts of meat or starches.
Restrict Treats
An occasional treat will not negatively impact your teen daughter's weight or health, but regular consumption of sugary or fatty foods can lead to an increased risk of health problems like obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Encourage your teen daughter to drink water or unsweetened tea rather than soda and other sugary beverages. Offer fruit with yogurt in place of candy, cookies and cake. Whole wheat crackers are a high-fiber way to replace potato chips. Look through cookbooks to find healthy treat recipes your teen daughter may enjoy as another way to replace unhealthy treats.
Eat As A Family
Eating together as a family is a powerful way to influence your teen daughter's eating habits. If you eat regular family meals with your daughter, she is more likely to eat fruits, vegetables and grains. She is also less likely to eat unhealthy snacks, which will help her maintain a healthy weight. Family meals also give you an opportunity to model healthy eating habits as well as talk with your daughter about how to make nutritious food choices. Spending this time together is one way to influence your daughter's weight and help her build the self-confidence to take good care of her health.
Exercise
Regular physical activity is an important way to help your teen daughter achieve a healthy weight as well as maintain that weight throughout her teen years. Children who are physically active during childhood are more likely to continue exercising throughout adulthood. Allow your teen daughter to choose an activity that interests her, such as cheerleading, dancing, swimming or volleyball. Going to the gym with her is another way to encourage exercise while spending time together. Workout DVDs, walks after dinner or dancing contests are additional ways to get your teen moving to help her maintain a healthy weight.
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