What is the best diet for Teenagers?!
Question:
What is the best diet for Teenagers?
I have a friend who weighs 180 at 14 years old, how should I help and she wants to know about a diet that actually works without starving yourself. Thanks.
Answers:
Help her to get outside more - walks, biking, swimming, don't play video games, watch TV, or sit on the computer very often (limit it to 1 hour a day TOTAL) - suggest other physical activities. Diets that actually work include eating MORE - really. Eat 6 times a day - BUT eat healthy things. I have heard that eating by color is the best - BLUEberries, RED apples & berries, anything GREEN, YELLOW, ORANGE - fruit & juice. Limit to once a day anything WHITE - potatoes, rice, bread. Read labels and avoide anything with "high fructose corn syrup" whenever possible.
Always eat enough protein everyday (but not fried) - chicken, fish (including tuna packed in water), eggs (one or two). Try to avoid all processed meats: lunchmeat and hot dogs. Only eat beef and burgers once it a while - pork, too.
Stop drinking soda, juices (other than one glass of orange or apple juice in the morning) and any other drink sweetened with sugar or "high fructose corn syrup" IMMEDIATELY. Drink water and milk - watch out for the "fitness" waters - they are sometimes loaded with sugar. This is the biggest "weight gain" item for teens.
Stop eating when you are no longer hungry - that means stop before you're full. If you plan to snack, and plan your snacks - you'll never get really hungry and so you won't be tempted to gorge on unhealthy things or keep eating after you're full.
The hardest part will be planning to eat - planning the snacks is the most important - that way you won't just open the cupboard and eat anything that's in there.
It would really be best if she could get her parents help since they will need to buy the foods for her. Also, if she could join something like Weight Watchers it would really help - they will teach her how to choose the right foods - but if she can't there are lots of places to go on the Internet for free help.
Good luck to both of you - this is a battle many girls fight - I know how you feel - and I know you can do it!