Why is it important for a teenager to eat healthy foods?

          As a teenager, our eating habits may determine our general well-being as we age. It is important for a teenager to eat health because we are growing - developing physically and mentally. By choosing to eat a healthy diet, we can help prevent long-term diseases, improve cognitive functions and mood, provide nutrients and energy for day-to-day activities, and promote healthy eating habits for the future. 

          Teenagers are some of the most active people. They're constantly moving around, juggling school, friends and often sports. In order to provide energy and nutrients for such an active lifestyle, teens need to eat a wide variety of healthy foods. 

          Adolescence is the time where changes are happening to a child's body. These changes carry over to adulthood. For example, some teens do not receive adequate amounts of calcium. As a result, they develop weak bones. As people age, they will naturally begin to lose calcium from their bones. For someone who already has weak bones to begin with, they are at a heightened risk for developing Osteoporosis, which results in fragile bones and easy fractures. 

          A healthy diet consists of adequate macronutrients (nutrients that we need in large amounts) and micronutrients (nutrients we need in smaller amounts). Macronutrients consists of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Micronutrients are separated into two categories - minerals and vitamins.