Nutritional Needs For Teenagers

Nutrition

oi-Anjana NS

By Anjana Ns

Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 11:30

Why nutritional needs for teenagers? well, it is the adolescent time that involves growing autonomy and teens are more into eating outside food than home food. So we are about to discuss a few nutritional needs that children ranging between 13-18 require. Take a look the list of the nutritional needs for teenagers.

Myths:

1. One of the prime steps to develop healthy eating in teenagers is by giving enough independence they ask for. They may try all the fad diets and would one day realise that there is nothing like home food.
2. As the teenagers are more concerned about there physique, it is the duty of the parents to educate them more on high protien and carb rich foods, diet and fitness.

Nutritional Needs For Teenage Boys:

It is the adolescent period when boys require good nourishment and according to body nature of boys during 13-18, it is said that they put on up to 9kg (20lb) weight and grow up to 12cm in a year.

And for the nourishment, they would require at least 4,000 calories a day consisting of all the balanced diet nutrients. They need to eat food stuffs that are high in protien and fiber. Although boys avoid vegetables and whole grain carbohydrates, they need to be prepared in a way that the children would like to eat.

Nutritional needs For Teenage Girls:

Since girls undergo a lot of changes during there adolescence (like periods etc) they would good amounts of calcium and Iron which is high in milk and green leafy vegetables. According to the body nature of girls in teens (ranging from 11-18), it is said that they may grow upto 10 cm in a year and put on upto 8 kgs weight.
Many girls suffer from painful and irregular periods due to deficiencies in nutrition.

Junk Foods:

As per the reports in a study conducted at a renowned university, it is said that more 50% of the teenagers are into eating junk foods like sweets, packaged snack foods, perforated drink that aren't very healthy as they contain artificial colors, transfats, salts, preservatives, sugar that can worsen stomach ailments even more.

So What Nutrients Do Teenagers Require?:

Calcium, iron, magnesium, boron, vitamins D & K, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, selenium that are available naturally in fresh fruits, vegetables, pulses, grains and dairy products etc.

Food Supplements:

Supplements taken in small doses (according doctor's prescribe) is good. Calcium tablets available like soft chews, glucose in juicy crystals can reasonable avoid imbalance in food.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.