Teens Eating Habits

Teens eating habits are defined by the quickness & most convenient food available to pop in their mouth. Eating can be a bother if it requires extra time to prepare the food. A lot of teens are even going without breakfast before school because of the time factor. Experts have proven that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Tests have shown that a child who eats a well balanced meal before school will have a better performance on their school work. Good eating habits may be developed through the example of parents. Parents should teach their children the importance of eating healthy and making wise choices when it comes to eating out at restaurants or at home. Preparing foods listed on the food pyramid and having these kinds of foods readily available can help teach a teen good eating habits.

A lot of times, teens will have a favorite food they eat every day and refuse to eat a well balanced diet. The food pyramid was developed by nutritionists to teach the proper diet human beings should follow. Parents allow their children to be picky eaters at a very early age. Encouraging children to eat their vegetables for example, is a good thing which can carry into their teen and adult life. It should be the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child eats a variety of foods and not just one category of food. Nutrition is needed from all the food groups in the pyramid.

Snacking in Schools

Vending machines in schools are an easy access for teens and a quick fix for hunger. Unfortunately, foods high in carbohydrates are a temporary cure for the starving student and give a false sense of satisfaction. Some schools across the nation have taken pop machines out of the schools to encourage a healthier life style. Schools that allow pop & junk food vending machines are not supporting good health practices that are taught in the subject matter of health. It is hypocrisy to allow vending machines on campus. The microwave oven has become a necessity for teenagers. Teens may not learn to cook properly but they know how to “zap” a frozen dinner in the microwave! The problem with this is that most frozen foods have preservatives, high calorie content, & little if any nutrition value. The taste does appeal to most teens and is a quick way to grab a bite to eat and run out the door to a friend’s house or sporting event.

Family Dinner

Studies have shown the importance of families regularly sitting down to dinner together. Children are more apt to be model citizens and to stay out of trouble. Dinner time could create a more balanced diet and a greater abundance of communication within family members. Spending quality time around the dinner table with family talking & laughing one with another is a wonderful eating habit to develop that will have positive results for years to come.