Wolf in his belly

When the boy is growing he has a wolf in his belly. ~German Proverb
Teenagers seem to eat always or in excess and it might be due to the body's requirement,stress,or for they are still not adjusted to the changes they are experiencing.But it is essential to make sure that they eat the right amount of nourishment for all round development.Among the more common teen eating habits include skipping meals, routine fast food consumption, frequent snacking and dieting. By addressing each of these factors individually one can ensure that your teen is meeting the minimum nutritional requirements. Teens skip meals for a variety of reasons, including irregular schedules, convenience, work and social activities. Up to 50% of teens skip breakfast at one point or another. Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day! What can you do? With regard to breakfast, let your teen know that skipping breakfast can slow their metabolism contributing to weight gain and poor performance. A busy lifestyle or running late are often reasons teens skip meals.Keeping regular sleeping and wakeing hours is a must and waking up early helps prevent the morning rush.
Because of the 'skipping meal' factor, many teens fail to eat three regular meals per day and resort to snacking.Having healthy snack items readily available including yogurt, fresh and dry fruits and vegetables can be beneficial.But snacking should not be encouraged.No parent no matter how well meaning will be able to avoid fast food altogether. Teens are more apt to eat fast food because it is convenient and typically a social affair. Fast food is often jam packed full of fat and empty calories however. What can you do? Educate your teen as much as possible. Help them make smart food choices even when at fast food restaurants. To as great an extent as possible, you should also work to provide wholesome and healthy foods at home.
Teens often diet because of the perception that 'thin is in'. Dieting can lead to dangerous habits including eating disorders in teens. Some signs that your teen may be dieting include: skipping meals, 'binge' eating, fasting or use of laxatives or diet pills. One thing you can do for your teen is encourage a healthy self esteem and body image. Engage your teen in extracurricular activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise.
Remember that your teen will also model the behaviors that they see at home. If you are constantly obsessed about your weight, your teen is likely too. Always aspire to maintain a healthy and balanced approach to eating and your teen is more likely to do the same. One approach is to attempt to eliminate the term 'diet' and replace it with 'healthy eating.' If you regularly incorporate healthy lifestyle and dietary practices into your life your teen is less likely to diet on a consistent basis. Work with your teen to encourage a healthy lifestyle that incorporates sound eating habits and regular exercise. You might both benefit in the process

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