What is a healthy diet for adolescents?
• Children normally have a growth spurt during their adolescent years (12 to 18 years old). A healthy diet for most adolescents (ad-o-LES-ents) is one that provides enough nutrients for growth. A healthy diet also has the right amount of nutrients to keep an adolescent healthy and keep him from having health problems. A poor diet may lead to health problems such as anemia (ah-NEE-mee-uh) (decreased oxygen going to body tissues), eating disorders, or obesity (o-BEE-si-tee) (being overweight). A poor diet may cause other health problems later in life such as obesity, heart disease, or diabetes. Regular physical activity can lower your child’s risk of having some of these health problems. • A healthy diet for adolescents should include different kinds of foods from all the food groups. Meals should have enough protein (such as meat, beans and nuts) to help your child grow. Meals should also have carbohydrates (kahr-bo-HI-drayt) (bread, pasta and cereal), fruits, and vegetables. Meals shou
