Teens:stubborn, sweet and sometimes just as difficult as toddlers when it comes to eating. However, proper nutrition is crucial not only for girls, but certainly also for boys. Good guidance from you as a parent is indispensable. In this article you will find some handles to help you with that.
The intermediate phase from toddler to teenager (this actually includes the entire primary school period) is characterized by a changing need for energy-rich food. After the toddler age, care should be taken that the child does not ingest unnecessary fats, sugars and the like, as this can have adverse effects on the child's health. After the toddler period, the number of meals can be reduced to 3 main meals with 2 snacks.
If the child has developed good eating habits during the toddler phase, he will maintain these eating habits and it will be pleasant for both the parents and the child to sit at the table together, without undue stress. It can happen that children in primary school decide for themselves what they do and do not want to eat. Remember that a child doesn't have to like everything, neither do parents. Make sure that the child gets enough nutrients.
Once children have finished primary school and are teenagers, the need for extra energy will increase again. Teenagers need extra calories and protein for a healthy and strong body and protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D for bone development.
Teenagers are more likely to eat out during this phase and make their own food choices. In many cases, this means that they will opt for (fatty) snacks instead of choosing important meals, which they conveniently skip.
Some teenagers will try to find their own identity through their diet, which can result in vegetarianism or adherence to certain diets. Being overweight or extremely underweight can play an important role for teens during their teenage years. Parents should be alert to this and guide their children without coercion and above all with a lot of love.
The growth phase begins on average two years earlier in girls than in boys. Keep this in mind as a parent. During the growing period of a teenager, calcium is especially important. You can find this in milk, cheese, yogurt, fish, bread and green leafy vegetables. Calcium in combination with sufficient exercise is necessary for building strong bones and preventing osteoporosis later in life.
Provide plenty of healthy snacks at home, such as fruit and vegetables. This somewhat compensates for the eating behavior of the teenager outside the home.
Teens often choose to skip breakfast. However, this is highly unwise and should be made clear to your teen with some caution. Especially after a night, in which the body has to process all kinds of things, it is important to provide the body with new energy through food and drink.
Does a teenager really not want to eat? Try offering a replacement breakfast in the form of yogurt with muesli or cruesli and a cup of fruit juice. You can also send a piece of fruit for the way to school. However, there is still a need for a teenager to eat something in the morning. Sometimes it also helps to have dinner together in the morning. What applies to a toddler also applies to a teenager:as a parent, set a good example and don't skip breakfast yourself.
As a mother of two teenagers, I know better than anyone what it is like to have two picky eaters in the house. When my son was 15 he also started developing an eating disorder. Not only girls have to deal with this, boys can also have to deal with an eating disorder. Fanatical exercise was accompanied by minimal food, until I called him to order and made it clear to him that this was no longer the case.
He has since started exercising differently:with more policy and various branches of sport (jogging, strength training, cycling and swimming) and he has realized that good and balanced food and sports go hand in hand. Does this mean he doesn't eat sweets, never eat sweets, don't drink soda, or never eat fast food? Definitely not, but it happens sporadically.
Because we have all made the switch to eating more consciously (eating healthier, making more yourself, no longer buying certain foods), my daughter is also much more involved with nutrition. Proof that you as a parent have a great influence on your children. By the way, that doesn't mean she'll never eat sweets again. A sweet or something tasty every now and then is allowed. Or, for example, choose to make a snack such as chips yourself.
What do you do to properly guide your teen in making the right choices for healthy eating?
