It's no easy task to get your teenager to eat everything. Nor is it going to be easy to make sure that everything they eat is healthy. If at this point we haven't succeeded in this task... Don't despair! There are still options and possibilities for your child to discover the need for a balanced diet.
In fact, this is the opinion of the AEP, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, which is especially interested in convincing parents to practice healthy eating with their children to avoid health problems such as obesity or diabetes, and also to ensure that young people grow up in healthy environments, which, in turn, is good for their psychological stability.
Find out how to get your teenager to eat all kinds of food
Having said that, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of how to make this period of great changes in the lives of young people more bearable thanks to the right diet.
Beware of influences
One of the biggest influences your child will have throughout his life is his friendships. If the youngster hangs out with other kids who don't eat well, and only eat junk food, he is likely to do the same, compare himself and find it relatively normal.
The same goes for advertising, which usually focuses on foods with excess fat and sugar. Such offers fill your email and social media connections.
So, always within our means, let's try to create an optimal environment around the child, with people who eat well, enjoy all kinds of foods, and stay balanced. The sooner we start, the more likely we are to succeed.
Adequate breakfast
Let's start with breakfast. It is necessary that adolescents always have breakfast, and that it has the three main pillars of nutrition, which are cereals, fruit and dairy products. If they eat a good breakfast, they will not be so hungry later in the day.
How can we do it? It is as simple as betting on a glass of milk, a piece of tomato toast and a piece of fruit. Let's look for the ingredients he likes the most and, if we have to bet on cocoa in the milk, let's throw it in.
Failing that, you can also try to get him to eat a bowl of cereal and muesli. It is balanced and includes dairy and the necessary. if he likes it better, let's go for it.
Meals, lunches and dinners
At this point it is necessary to avoid industrial pastries, which is not easy. Nor should sweets be introduced, as they contain many fats and empty sugars.
The ideal would be a lunch with a sandwich and a piece of fruit, but it is not easy. We can go for a natural orange juice, which is usually more to the taste of teenagers. Then, at lunch and dinner, they will eat more calories.
Adolescents should be taught to eat wisely. At this stage, they need a lot of energy, so they require a large amount of food. However, it must be something that appeals to their eyes and also to their sense of smell.
In many cases, children tend to go for pasta, hamburgers, hot dogs and excessively fatty foods. So, we must learn to show them healthier foods in an appetizing way, mixing them with tasty and appropriate sauces, for example.
And all this while making teenagers eat without entertainment. Let's prevent them from using their cell phones, keeping the TV on during the meal, etc.
Getting your teenager to eat everything is not an easy task, but it is not impossible either. If you want more advice, don't hesitate to contact the professional team at Logos International School. Our experts can help you.