How Teens Eat Healthy Nowadays

Healthy eating starts young and carries throughout your life. According to the American Dietetic Association, 84 percent of teens don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. Teens can eat the way they like and still make healthy choices if they are educated. Parents can make it easier by providing good food choices at home and for teens to take with them on the go.

How Teens Eat Healthy Nowadays

• Teens sometimes get a bad rap, however when it comes to their health, today's teens are more educated about nutrition and good health than they were generations ago--even if it's only because of their school health education.However, it does not always mean they are making the right choices.

  Teens can eat better if they have wider selection of good foods at home, school and the various hangout places. Fast food restaurants now list the nutritional content on all menu items and schools and restaurants are offering more choices such as apple wedges or salads to replace french fries as a side dish.

Better Nutrition at Home

• Healthy eating for teens begins at breakfast. It is easy to skip this important meal in favor of sleep and opt for an iced coffee on the way to school. However, parents can break this habit with on-the-go breakfast foods for teens who can eat the food on en route or in homeroom. Some good choices include protein shakes or bars, cereal bars, fruit and yogurt smoothies, or toast and egg sandwiches--something that provides protein will be more filling and minimize "crashes" until lunchtime. Watch out for pre-packaged foods that can be high in sodium, trans fat or sugar.

  Families are also starting to return to values that include organizing schedules so there is a return to the family dinner table. When teens sit down to a meal, they are less likely to snack or overeat junk food after dinner. When a teen comes home from school hungry it is important to have easy-to-fix healthy snacks. Teens are all about convenience, so if snacks are prepared and refrigerated ahead of time, they will likely head for those snacks instead of the bag of chips and soda. Parents can prepare fruits and vegetables by washing, peeling and cutting them ahead of time so they are ready to eat. Grilled chicken cut into chunks and a bowl of washed lettuce in the refrigerator can quickly be made into a healthy salad. The key is to prepare ahead so when a hungry teen is gaping through the refrigerator door they are met with appealing, healthy options.

Better Nutrition at School

• Federal and state laws are favoring a healthy school cafeteria for many schools around the country. In Massachusetts for example, schools are required to provide one-third of the recommended daily allowance for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories. School lunches are nutritionally balanced and offer many choices. However, many health conscious teens are opting to brown bag it to save time, money and take control of their diets. Many schools are removing the soda and candy machines and replacing them with juice, fruit and granola bars.

Better Nutrition Out and About

• It's easier than ever for on-the-go teens to eat healthy. Fast food chains are offering more choices and removing trans fat from their menus. Convenience stores located near schools also offer refrigerated sections with choices of fruit, vegetable plates and other healthy options.

Don't Go Hungry!

• The best way for a teen to eat healthy nowadays is for them to avoid getting so hungry that they grab the first convenient, unhealthy snack. This often leads to poor choices and an endless cycle of caffeine and sugar to boost their energy. Healthy eating prevents obesity in teens and sets them on a path for improved health throughout their lives.

Teen Vegans and Vegetarians

• The "Vegetarian Journal" reports that in 2001 approximately two percent of children ages six to 17 were vegetarians, meaning that they did not eat any meat, fish or poultry. There were 0.5 percent who were considered vegan, meaning their diet also excluded eggs, honey and dairy products. In 2009, a study of the University of Minnesota found that 1 in 200 children are vegetarians. Like any diet, it can be healthy as long as the required nutrients are present, even if it does not include animal products.