How to Implement a Teenage Diet Plan

With fast food consumption and teenage obesity on the rise; parents are becoming more and more concerned about what makes up the best teenage diet plan. The answer is that there is no perfect dietary program for every teenager, nor will any parent be likely to get their teen to strictly adhere to a healthy eating plan. However, there are ways for a concerned parent to work with their child to establish a good foundation to what may mean excellent eating habits later on.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Encourage good eating habits by being a role model for your teenager. They are more likely to emulate what they see their parents eating versus what they hear their parents saying !

2. Prepare cut up vegetables and leave them accessible on the counter when teens are due home from school or other activities. These are the times of day when kids tend to be ravenous and will eat just about anything !

3. Other than for certain occasions, avoid keeping soft drinks in the house. Teens have plenty of access to these high sugar, nutrient poor, drinks elsewhere without providing them in the home. Encourage water consumption instead.

4. Engage the entire family in exercise. Exercise is a natural weight loss method that is very effective in keeping a teenager's weight under control and offset the sometimes monstrous appetites that they have.
   
   Take hikes or ride bicycles together. Encourage your teen to play recreational sports or even to use the Wii fitness programs currently available.

5. Keep the lines of communication open with your teenager concerning dieting and eating habits. Watch out for weight concerns, desire to diet, and self esteem issues which inevitably will arise at some point in the teen years. Discuss strategies to their concerns and don't give up trying to educate them in the value of a healthy eating lifestyle. They're taking in more than you think.

Tips & Warnings

• Beware of obvious weight loss, mood changes, and major changes in eating habits. These could be signs of potential eating disorders that must be addressed.

[turtledove]

on 6/12/2009 I walk to school with my daughter. We see schoolmates drive by us. We live ONE BLOCK from her school! 5*

[RENorton]

on 5/15/2009 Excellent piece. Very well-written with a lot of useful info. We're going through this now with my 13 year-old stepson, so this article. is very helpful. Thanks!

[sonni57]

on 5/10/2009 Getting teens to eat properly is no small task thanks for the helpful info.

[veryirie]

on 5/7/2009 Introducing healthy eating and exercise habits at home gives your teens that extra security that we all need. Having fruits and veggies ready and waiting is a wonderful idea for after school snacks.