The teenage period is the age for growth and development of the body and mind.
In fact, during the teenage period that many body systems and function reach their peak.
The importance of healthy diet for teens cannot be stressed enough.
The body needs all the help it can get and the best way to facilitate proper growth and development is through eating healthy food.
Research has shown that even teenagers are susceptible to heart diseases, hypertension, obesity and anemia due to unhealthy diet.
The first sign of anemia in teens is constant fatigue and shortness of breath.
This can be prevented by eating iron-rich food like green leafy vegetables.
Eating fatty food contributes to obesity, which in turn can lead to hypertension and heart disease.
Milk, eggs and meat should form 20 percent of a teenager's diet while the balance should be made up of fresh fruits, vegetable and whole grains.
Three meals a day is a must during teenage life.
Breakfast should be treated as the most important meal of the day.
It plays an important role in physical and emotional development.
In addition, it gives the teenager the fuel required to start the day and sustain the energy levels until lunch time.
Today due to easy availability of junk food in schools and colleges, peer pressure and sheer laziness, teenagers are careless about their health.
However, eating healthy will not only help them grow normally but also help with studies and physical activities.
Parents should endeavor to teach teenagers the importance of healthy eating and should make an effort to oversee what they are eating.
In addition, parents should act as role models to ensure that teenagers eat healthily.
Of course, teenagers can indulge in junk food once in a way but it should not become a part of their regular diet.