As a teenager, you have special diet requirements due to the sudden growth spurt and changes in your body. Now is the time to exchange the junk food for healthier alternatives. It’ll make you more attractive now and healthier later on.

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Tips for teenage girls

Balance your energy levels. It is important to stay active when you hit your teens. Although your energy needs are high at this age due to all the changes in your body, adolescence can also be a time of weight gain if you’re not careful. Take part in sport and replenish your energy levels by eating moderate amounts of complex carbohydrates. These include starches rich in fibre, like whole-wheat bread, fruit and vegetables.

Call for calcium. Because of speedy muscular, skeletal, and hormonal development, your calcium needs have risen tremendously. Interestingly enough, 45% of your bone mass is added during your teens. So pile up on the milk, yoghurt and cheese – but choose the low fat or fat free alternative if you are concerned about your weight.

Bring on the fruit and veggies. Eating too little of nature’s own medicine can lead to cancer and other diseases later in life. At least five portions of fruits and vegetables are recommended per day.

Iron facts. Due to the onset of your periods, a large amount of iron is lost every month. Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, which may impair your immune response and decrease your body’s resistance to infection. Anaemia is also associated with a lack of energy and concentration ability – not a good thing if you want to keep up those good marks. Try to include iron-rich foods in your diet, like liver, beans, potatoes, oats, raisins and dried peaches.

And fat? If you are concerned about gaining weight, the answer is not necessarily to cut out all the fat in your diet. Some fats are actually good for you. Fish like tuna, sardines and salmon contain beneficial fats and should be consumed on a regular basis. You should, however, try to cut back on pastries, baked products and sweets.

Don’t skip breakfast. Stop that midmorning doughnut craving dead in its tracks by eating breakfast – this way, you won’t gain those extra kilo’s. Plus, there’s no denying it: skipping breakfast has a definite effect on concentration and school performance levels. A nice helping of fruit, cereal and milk or yoghurt will kick-start your day.

A for acne. Vitamin A has been proven to be effective in the treatment of acne. It reduces the production of sebum – the white fatty substance found in the body’s pores. Find all the vitamin A you need in orange and red fruits and vegetables like carrots, melons and tomatoes. Large amounts of vitamin A can, however, be toxic; so don’t overdo it.

Tips for teenage guys

Less fast food! Your mom’s been telling you this for years, but why the tantrum? Fast foods tend to contain lower amounts of the right stuff: iron, calcium and vitamins A, B and C. These foods are usually sky-high in fats as well. If you eat out, try to settle for a healthier option like pasta or a whole-wheat sandwich.

Hold back on the proteins. While protein is absolutely necessary for normal growth and development, you should be wary of overdoing it. Excessive intakes of protein can interfere with calcium metabolism, which can lead to osteoporosis later in life. Too much protein can also increase your fluid needs and this may put you at risk for dehydration while exercising.

Iron, man. Due to the build-up of muscle mass during your teens, the blood volume of your body expands. An increase in blood volume calls for an increase in dietary iron intake. It is possible to boost your diet with iron without including unnecessary amounts of protein. Try to include alternatives to meat like potatoes, dried fruit, dark green vegetables and beans.

Zinc it up. This mineral is crucial to your body’s normal development, especially your sexual maturation. There is also some evidence that zinc can help in the prevention of acne. Work this mineral into your diet by eating moderate amounts of fish and shellfish on a weekly basis.

Fluid, fluid, fluid. It is very important to maintain a fluid balance at all times. If you are active, even more so. Exercise produces heat, and fluid is important for maintaining a body temperature that maximises performance. A good sports drink contains all the right stuff to replace lost electrolytes. Drink at least a cup of fluid every 15-20 minutes during exercise and two cups afterwards. - (Carine van Rooyen, Health24)

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