By Elizabeth Beaumont
Food Technology Department
Food is delicious, eating food is one of our most common social activities and essential for our survival.
Adolescents have some very specific food requirements to enable them to get the nutrients to grow and develop into healthy adults. Nutrients are not only required for fuel but also muscle development, blood formation, formation of strong bones and teeth, as well as making all those adolescent hormones.
Identifying, purchasing, preparing and consuming foods which meet these requirements is an important skill for adolescents to learn, and can benefit long-term health, potentially preventing some illnesses and diseases later in life.
Below is a fairly basic table showing some of the foods and nutrients they provide:
The following provide excellent tips for eating and recipes for fuelling your teen:
https://www.healthyfood.co.nz
https://nutritionfoundation.org.nz
