It is important that teenagers live a healthy life and that is because they are in an important part of their development. They are growing and developing at a rapid pace and this means that it is important that they are fueling their body with all the nutrients they need to thrive. Teenagers are trying to find their identity away from their parents, and this means that they are exploring the ability to be a bit independent and make some of their own choices. They feel like they are more grown-up than they are a child, and this means that they want to pick their own snacks throughout the day.
It also seems like this would be a great thing for parents, who are excited that their child is not begging them for snacks every day. That they now have a child who can go and get their own snacks when they please. However, they are likely to notice that their teenagers are picking snacks that are not always healthy and this can be concerning. Parents may be looking for a way to encourage their teens to eat healthier snacks, and there are some ways to gently encourage this.
The Reach For Junk
Teenagers are known for reaching for junk food, and there are reasons for that. According to Raising Children, since teenagers are in a period of rapid growth spurts, they are going to be constantly hungry and looking for ways to fill this hunger. They are also going to be more inclined to reach for carbs and junk food. Both because they are filling, and they are comforting. It is much more appealing to teenagers to grab a bag of chips while they play a video game, but the downside is that they are likely going to eat them all without even thinking about it.
Stock The Fridge
According to Child Development Info, the best way to make sure that your teenager makes healthy choices is that there are always healthy options there for them to choose from. This means that mom should always prepare fresh fruits and vegetables in the fridge. Mom can make sure they are washed, peeled and ready to eat and store them in plastic containers in the fridge. If they are there and ready to eat, teenagers are more likely to choose them.
Rules Are OK
Even though they are teenagers and may think that they are fully grown adults, there is no reason why there cannot still be rules when it comes to snacks. According to Kids Health, it is important to set boundaries when it comes to snacks and for teenagers. There should be scheduled times for snacks, and things like chips, cakes and cookies are always the exception and not the rule when it comes to snacks. It is important to continue to instill that these are treats for every now and then and are not the go-to when it comes to snacks. It is always important to model healthy snacking and make sure you are following these rules too. Mom shouldn’t be eating a bag of chips when she tells her teenager to grab an apple.
Sources: Raising Children, Child Development Info, Kids Health