Teens are fussy, conscious about their weight and more subject to impulse eating than probably any other age group alive (except for maybe toddlers who have been know to eat a single food for months on end and never eat anything else.)
1.
Do not tempt fate by bringing junk food for yourself or other family members into the home if you are trying to keep a teenager healthy
2.
Be aware that your child might be short some essential nutrients and need supplementation with vitamin A, folic acid, fiber, iron, calcium, and zinc
3.
Most teenagers are quite concerned with how their appearance and can be convinced that they will be slimmer and more beautiful if they eat a healthy diet and exercise
4.
Make low-fat versions of junk food menu favorites; there are many recipes to be found online that can help you make healthy versions of junk food favorites like French Fries, Cheeseburgers, Tacos and Fried Chicken
5.
Make food more interesting by cooking ethnic versions; this keeps your teen interested in meal times
6.
Curb cravings for junk foods by making sure that your teen is getting adequate supplementation with vitamins he or she may need
7.
As was true with the pre-teen keep your eye out for the warning signs of symptoms of a teen who may be suffering from anorexia or bulimia and get them treated in an eating disorders program
8.
Never use food as a reward for good behavior or have your teen associate it with love and affection; this can lead to eating disorders
9.
If your child is an emotional eater gets him or her to recognize HALT – never get Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired as that is when he or she is most vulnerable to binging on junk foods
10.
Be aware that a child that is not eating at all may be doing recreational drugs or smoking; nip these habits in the bud by addressing the matter directly as soon as you can as they are so damaging to every aspect of your teenagers growth
When your child hits age 13 you can expect a real growth spurt. The nutritional needs of your child are greatly increased because of the changes in body composition and increased growth rate that is associated with sexual development and the path towards puberty.
Some teens do not change but most experience a dramatic need for all kinds of foods. Many teens are also incredibly active and expend a lot of fuel. Many spend more time at work, have a job, socialize more, exercise more and have more erratic behaviors in general that affect how they eat