Teenagers are full of energy, and it is important to give them the proper diet to help maintain them. If you have an energetic teenage boy at home, this post on a healthy teenage diet plan is for you. Studies have shown that teen boys need more calories as compared to teen girls (1). Although both of them need the same nutrients, the kinds of food that the boys need to consume can be different from the ones for the girls. Continue reading this post as we tell you more about the diet for teenage boys, its importance, and a diet plan that you could put to use.
Nutrients A Teenage Boy Needs
All nutrients are vital for a child’s growth, and they should have a balanced diet to achieve that. The primary nutrient groups are proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Proteins, carbs, and fats are the energy sources for the body, while vitamins and minerals are essential for the overall development of a teenage boy. Vitamins and minerals can be obtained from the same foods that also supply protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
1. Protein
Protein is the building block of muscles, and 50% of body weight is made of protein (1).
The most common sources of protein are meat, eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes, and dairy products.
Focus on providing lean meat to your teenage boy since it contains adequate protein but low-fat content.
2. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are of two types: complex and simple (2) (3) (4). Complex carbohydrates burn slowly and provide sustained energy. Examples include wheat flour, rice, grains with fiber, and starchy vegetables, such as potatoes.
Simple carbohydrates are sugars found in sweetened products such as cakes and beverages but are also found in healthier sources such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy.
Carbohydrates provide the energy that teen boys need for their everyday activities. Complex carbohydrates should make 50 to 60% of a teenage boy’s carbohydrate intake.
3. Fats
Fats could be monounsaturated, polyunsaturated fats, or saturated fats.
Monounsaturated fats are the healthiest of all and are found in foods such as olive oil, peanut oil, peanut butter, and nuts like cashews, walnuts, and almonds.
Polyunsaturated fats are found in oils from seeds of sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, and sesame seed.
Saturated fat contains the most amount of cholesterol. It is found in dairy, red meat, coconut, and palm oil.
Fats are essential for the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat should not make for more than 30% of a teenage boy’s diet; and saturated fat content should not be more than 10% of the total fat intake.
4. Vitamins
A teenage boy can get sufficient vitamins by consuming an assortment of fruits and vegetables.
Teenagers usually tend to get less vitamin D than needed. Foods fortified with vitamin D (health drinks and cereal) and some exercise in the morning sun should prevent the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency.
5. Minerals
Minerals are micronutrients that are needed in minimal quantities.
If your teenage boy has a healthy balanced diet, then obtaining the daily recommended amount of minerals from the food they eat will not be difficult. Essential minerals they should get through food include calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and iodine.
It is essential to provide the right amount of servings of different foods to ensure that your boy can get all the vital nutrients he needs.
What Is An Ideal Diet Plan For Teenage Boys?
Below is an ideal diet plan to meet the daily calorie requirements (2800 calories) of a teenage boy.
- The total of the servings should not exceed 7 ounces (200 grams) Source: US Department of Health and Human Services (5) It is good to know the size of each portion/serving before learning about the number of servings your teenage boy needs. Below is the quantity per serving of a food group: Source: US Department of Health and Human Services (5) The above diet should allow a teenage boy to have requisite calories and nutrients for healthy growth. While parents strive to provide nourishment through meals, children often desire a tasty, between-the-meals snack, which could lead to extra calorie consumption.
Is It Okay For Teenagers To Have A Snack?
Yes, children, especially teenagers, are quite likely to feel hungry between meals. There is nothing wrong with snacking as long as it is healthy like a fruit, a bowl of nuts, or any other homemade finger food. Processed foods with added sugar and saturated fats can be bad. Some healthy snacks ideas for teenage boys could be (6) (7):
Ready-to-eat fruits that require no peeling of skin or have skin that is easy to peel. A few examples are apples, pears, bananas, and grapes.
Vegetables that can be enjoyed raw or boiled, with some seasoning. Examples include raw carrots, boiled celery, and broccoli seasoned with spices.
If the teenager wants something exciting, then you can consider making a homemade vegetable omelet or cook a small bowl of vegetable spaghetti.
Even healthy meals could accumulate excess calories when not restricted. Eating nutritious food is healthy when you eat in the right quantities.
How Many Meals And Snacks A Day Is Healthy?
Three meals and three snacks a day is an ideal combination to maintain a teenage boy’s healthy body weight (8). Skipping breakfast is not ideal since it provides the required calories to jump-start the day. It may even minimize the risk of overeating or binge eating later in the day.
Give them a diet rich in fiber Ask them to avoid sugary and carbonated drinks Encourage them to follow regular physical activity Allocate a limited screen time Watch their portion sizes
