Adolescent Nutrition

Good nutrition is critical during the teenage years to ensure healthy growth and development. A healthy diet must meet changing nutritional needs.

Meeting the unique needs of adolescence

Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development and as a result good nutrition is essential. During adolescence, the need for most nutrients including energy, protein, vitamins and minerals increases. As appetite is also likely to increase, it is important that food choices are made carefully. It can be tempting at this time to increase the intake of snack foods and fast foods that are high in fat,sugar and salt.

The dietary guidelines for children and adolescents are designed to help young people choose foods that will help them stay healthy. They are: Food for Health (PDF file 461kb)

Healthy diet during adolescence

Try to eat:

• lots of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals
• moderate amounts of low fat dairy food and lean meats
• small amounts of foods high in fat, sugar and salt
• and remember to drink plenty of water each day.

Special concerns for teenagers

During adolescence, teenagers grow and develop at different rates and it is sometimes difficult to accept a changing body. Some teenagers develop unrealistic expectations about how their body should look and may need some professional help with this.

Both overweight and underweight can be a concern at this time. A healthy diet will meet the needs of the individual without providing too much or too little energy (kilojoules). Following fad diets to lose weight is not recommended and may be dangerous.

A healthy diet that includes a variety of foods from each food group, coupled with regular physical activity will help teenagers to grow, develop and be healthy.

An Accredited Practising Dietitian can provide expert nutrition and dietary advice to ensure teenagers are meeting their nutritional needs. They can also work with teenagers to improve body image and self-esteem.

For further information see Fad Diets.