Introduction
As parents, we want to make sure our children are getting all the essential nutrients they need for good health. But with so much conflicting information out there, it can be difficult to know where to start. This blog post will give you the basics of balanced nutrition, including which vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are most important for growing kids. With this knowledge in hand, you can feel confident that you're doing everything you can to keep your child on the path to good health.
The Importance of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for teens
Balancing nutrition is key for teens as they grow and develop into young adults. Ensuring they get the right amount of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients each day helps young people reach their full potential. In particular, getting enough of these important micronutrients in one's diet ensures healthy growth, including muscular and skeletal development, brain health, emotional and physical well-being, and more. For teens today, understanding which types of foods contain substantial amounts of these vital nutrients - from proteins to omega-3 fatty acids and the full range of vitamins that are essential for balanced nutrition is critical. Drawing on information from certified healthcare providers and other recognized nutrition programs can help teens make informed decisions about which foods will provide them with the proper daily dose of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients to promote not only growth but a lifetime of good health overall. Here is a list of more important essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your teen.
The importance of a balanced diet for overall health and well-being
As a teen, it is important to understand the importance of eating a balanced diet. Eating healthy foods helps support overall physical and mental health and well-being, so it is vital for teens to eat nutrient-rich meals that contain essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Not only do these substances promote growth and development, but they also work together to maintain bodily functions such as digestion and oxygen transport.
When everything works in harmony, teens can expect to have extra energy for everyday tasks and an improved immune system. Balanced nutrition improves cognitive functioning too! Moderately active teenage boys need between 2,200 and 2,800 calories a day, according to the DGA, and moderately active teenage girls need approximately 2,000 calories a day. It may be tempting to reach for convenient processed snacks over healthier options like fruits or vegetables but in the long run, proper nutrition ensures that teens' eyesight continues to improve, their hearts remain strong, their bones are resilient and their bodies stay nourished throughout adolescence and into adulthood.
How to get the right amounts of each nutrient in your teens diet
It's essential that teens get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need to not just survive, but to thrive! Luckily, there are plenty of fun and creative ways to make sure our teens' diets are balanced. First, focus on eating a variety of foods from all the food groups including fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and proteins. Incorporate whole grains such as oatmeal or quinoa for breakfast. Try nuts or nut butter for a snack. Make veggies the stars of lunch by adding them to salads or sandwiches. Keep dinner a mix of protein-rich options such as fish or beans and plenty of colorful vegetables.
Secondly, emphasize plant based proteins like beans and lentils in soups and stews for extra nutrition with fewer calories than animal-based proteins. Finally, kids should stay hydrated throughout the day by swapping sugary drinks for water. Dehydration can negatively affect concentration levels so remind your teens during those warm summer months to hydrate often! Taking these simple steps can help keep teens healthy and strong-- physically & mentally! For more information on nutrition for your teens, click here.
Foods that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
Eating a healthy and balanced diet is an important part of the teen years, as teens begin to figure out their own sense of independence. For teens, it requires knowing what essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs. Vitamins help your body perform specific roles, like aiding in digestion or boosting your mood. Minerals are also involved in various chemical reactions within the body to keep us healthy and functioning. Maintaining proper nutrition is key to keeping teens healthy with plenty of energy to focus on studies or other responsibilities such as sports or part-time jobs.
Eating nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, root vegetables like sweet potatoes, leafy green veggies like spinach and kale; legumes like beans, chickpeas, and lentils; dairy products; lean meats such as fish, poultry and grass fed beef; fruits like oranges and mandarins; seeds and nuts such as flax seed or pumpkin seeds; eggs (or vegan alternatives) will provide teens with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary for a balanced diet. Making sure teens have access to a well-rounded selection of nourishing foods is critical for teens’ overall health during these important formative years. Here are some more foods that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients,
Speak with a doctor or registered dietitian if they have any questions about their nutrition needs
Balancing nutrition as a teen can be a challenging feat. With teens growing significantly in size, hormones fluctuating and forming new preferences; nutrition is always an important part of their health. Considering this, teens should take their diet seriously and if they ever have any questions regarding their nutrition needs it's important to speak with a doctor or registered dietitian to dispel any confusion. With appropriate guidance and proper instruction teens can better understand the basics of balanced nutrition, incorporate the right vitamins, minerals and nutrients into their daily meals for healthier choices down the line.
Conclusion
A balanced diet is essential for teens to grow and develop properly. Getting the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients helps kids stay healthy and perform their best in school and other activities. There are many ways to get the nutrients your body needs, including eating foods that are rich in these substances. This blog post provides information on some of the best sources of essential nutrients for teens. If you have any questions about your nutrition needs, speak with a doctor or registered dietitian. For more tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle, join YFN academy today!
Sources:
Appleby, Maia. “Daily Requirements for Vitamins for Teens.” SFGATE, Hearst Newspapers, LLC., 27 Dec. 2018, https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/best-elliptical-machines-13771768.html.
Harvard Health Publishing. "The Best Foods for Vitamins and Minerals." Harvard Health, Harvard Medical School, 17 Aug. 2021, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-best-foods-for-vitamins-and-minerals.
John Muir Health. “Nutrition for Teens.” John Muir Health, 30 June 2020, www.johnmuirhealth.com/health-education/health-wellness/childrens-health/nutrition-teens.html.
"Nutritional Needs for Adolescence: Important Nutrients for Teenagers." The Nourished Child, 25 Mar. 2022, https://thenourishedchild.com/nutritional-needs-for-adolescence/.
