Nutrition and Your Health During the Teen Years

Nutrition and Your Health During the Teen Years

Nutrition The process by which the body takes in & use food. Not all foods offer the same benefits

Importance of Good Nutrition Enhances quality of life Helps prevent diseases (IEPhytochemicals… lycopene) Provides you w/ the calories & nutrients for max energy (IE. -Carb loading)

Calorie (kilocalorie) Units of heat that measure the energy used by the body & the energy that foods supply the body

Nutrients Substances in food that your body needs to grow, repair itself, & supplies you with energy

What Influences Your Food Choices Physical need & psychological desire between hunger & appetite Taste plays an important part…if you don’t like the taste your probably not going to eat it no matter how healthy it is (IE-Rocky and raw eggs)

Hunger & Appetite Hunger-natural physical drive that protects you from starvation Appetite-is a desire, rather than a need, to eat

Foods & Emotions Food is sometimes used to meet emotional needs (stress/depressed)

Food & Your Environment A number of environmental factors influence food choices… Family, friends, & peers-many habits were shaped as you were growing up (eat everything on your plate!)

Other Influences Cultural & Ethnic Background Convenience & Cost Advertising (Coke vs Pepsi, subliminal messaging? )

Benefits of Good Nutrition Good nutrition is important at all ages, but especially during adolescence, when the body is growing and changing rapidly. Healthful eating provides the you with the nutrients you need for growth & development. Give you energy for sports and other activities Allows you to stay mentally alert. Helps you feel good and look your best

Exploring Issues p. 112 In groups 4…maybe less, but no more than 4 Read then answer the two questions at the bottom.