Adolescence is a time of rapid growth. In fact, teenagers gain almost 50 percent of their adult weight during the teenage years. Yet they are less likely to eat a dietary food. Adolescence know it’s important to eat right, but many teenager don’t understand a basic nutrition. They skip breakfast and always choose to many high-fat food when snacking at fast food restaurants. Maybe the worst offenders are teenage girls who diet all the time and avoiding healthy food they think are “too fattening.”

Good eating habits begin in early childhood, and that’s when parents should start setting a good example. During the teenage years, however, parents have to be more subtle about guiding food choices. They can’t control what teens eat or don’t eat during the day, but they can offer healthy choices at home. Teens are impulsive eaters, usually munching on what’s right at hand. So stock the refrigerator with healthy snacks. Serve a nutritious dinner and try to make mealtime enjoyable. Also, be flexible about the time you eat dinner, taking into account a teenager’s often hectic schedule.

If your teenager avoids eat healthy foods because they think they’re fattening, nagging won’t help. Many experts believe this is the time for parents to step back, while continuing to offer healthy alternatives. Teens can be encouraged to eat fruits, cottage cheese and yogurt. Skin milk and fruit juice are other good choices. Getting teens to eat right can be a tough task, but don’t give up. Now more then ever is the time to tech them. You are what you eat