As teens get older and start to make more and more of their own decisions, it’s important to arm them with the knowledge they need to make healthy choices about their bodies and the foods they put into them. The following tips and tricks are tools I share with my own teen patients (and their parents) to help them feel empowered to make their own healthy decisions.

Healthy Snacks

Teenagers love snacking, but many popular snack foods – chips, pizza, soft drinks – contain very few valuable nutrients. It’s important to offer healthy snack alternatives so teens can skip the junk food and feel great about the snacks they choose.

Fresh fruit, veggie chips, popcorn, and assorted nuts and trail mixes all make delicious and convenient snack foods. I often recommend Naturebox, a healthy snack subscription service that delivers healthy, satisfying snacks right to your door.

Of course you don’t need a subscription, but I’m a big fan of making healthy choices as easy as possible.

Family Dinners

Instating family dinner nights – even once or twice a week – is a great way to connect with your teens (and younger children) and teach them how to make healthy eating choices at the same time.

Teenagers are still growing, so their bodies need both calories and nutrients. Focusing primarily on nutrient-rich foods – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean protein, and low-fat dairy – will help them feel full without overdoing it on calories, fat, sugar, and salt.

Bonus: planning, cooking, and enjoying a meal together can be a great family bonding experience.

Teen Athletes

Eating nutritiously is especially important for teenage athletes. The best way to regulate their performance on the field is through a sports nutrition plan, which will vary depending on the individual athlete and the sport.

Working with a Functional Medicine practitioner is very wise for athletes of all ages, as these doctors are uniquely trained to help individuals reach their optimal expression of health and vitality. For athletes, this means peak performance.

I have developed many individualized nutrition plans to help my patients reach their peak performance, which were carefully tailored to address their specific needs and goals.

Eating Independence

As teens become more and more independent, parents no longer have control over what their kids are eating. Working to instill the general principals of healthy eating at home will help teens make good choices when they’re out and about.

I also recommend partnering with a doctor to help educate and encourage your teen to take ownership of his/her health.

I would love to help explain the immense power of good nutritional practices to your teenager. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation so we can get to know one another and begin our work together.