Many of the foods that teens turn to when their stomachs start to rumble aren’t the healthiest. Instead of allowing your teen to tend to his hunger with junk foods, encourage him to fill his stomach with healthier options. By doing so, you can likely decrease his risks of becoming one of the many teens who struggles with weight and help him build healthy eating habits that will guide him throughout his life.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a hearty and healthy breakfast option for any teen. It is high in fiber, a vital element in the teen diet that ensures proper digestive health. Purchase your teen different oatmeal flavors for variety. You could also buy plain oatmeal and an assortment of toppings, encouraging him to experiment.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Instead of reaching for another greasy burger, teens can chow down on a grilled chicken sandwich. This sandwich consists predominantly of lean protein, making it a diet-friendly main course. By topping the sandwich with a reduced-fat cheese, you may be able to make it more tempting to teen eaters. Instead of slathering on the mayonnaise, encourage your teen to select a lighter option, such as honey mustard.
Jazzed-Up Apples
Encourage your teen to make an apple a day part of his diet. If your teen will munch on an apple, encourage him to do so, but you can also add flavor by buying fat-free caramel dip or reduced-fat peanut butter to go with it. Doing this will likely make an apple a more enticing option.
Low-Fat Yogurt
Instead of ice cream, cakes or cookies, encourage your teen to feed her sweet tooth with low-fat yogurt. Fill your refrigerator with an assortment of low-fat yogurts in different flavors. To make it more enticing, purchase some mix-ins, such as granola.
Veggies and Dips
For many teens, eating their veggies means ordering lettuce and tomato on their cheeseburger. Make veggies more appealing by pairing them with dip. Buy an array of veggies along with reduced-fat ranch dip, hummus and other tempting veggie toppers. Cut and wash the veggies. Place them in sandwich bags in your refrigerator so they are always ready to grab.
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