27. Diet:
Diet can really make a difference to
well-being and health. A lot of people experiment with diet in the
teenage years. I became vegetarian when I was 16 and have remained so
ever since. Others try it and then return to eating meat.
If your teenager experiments with diet
it is important to be well informed. Demanding that they eat certain
food is unlikely to work well. It is better to point out the
importance of getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals.
If
your teen eats a balanced diet they are unlikely to come to any harm.
Some teenagers neglect their health
refusing to eat balanced meals and eating junk food and snacks
instead. This can really be a source of concern for many families. As
with anything, it is important to remain calm. Listen to your
teenager and make sure that you stick to facts rather than letting
your feelings get in the way.
Providing they are eating enough food
they will be fine.
Some teenagers miss meals to try and
lose weight and this can become a real worry for families.
Again,
it is vital that you don't nag or over-react. Some teens will go on a
fad diet that lasts a few days before returning to a normal diet, for
example.
To ensure your teenager is aware of the
facts it can be helpful to encourage them to visit NHS choices.
This provides useful advice and support
and may be better received via a website than via concerned parents
and carers.
If you are seriously concerned about
your teenager's diet it may be advisable to consult your GP for
medical advice and support.
No comments:
Post a Comment