Nutrition for Teenagers

Whether you're a teen, a parent/carer or someone who works with this age group, this webinar will help you understand the unique nutritional requirements for growth and development during this life stage. Taken by Registered Dietitian Collette O'Brien.
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This webinar contains general nutrition advice and is based on the most up to date nutrition guidelines at the time of recording. Speak with your medical professional if you have been given specialized dietary advice or have any individual concerns.

FAQs

My teenager's eating habits are not good and I worry about their nutrition. Should they be taking a vitamin supplement?
Many parents worry about their teenager's eating habits. Consider the following...
• Rather than focusing on a vitamin supplement, encourage him/her to have regular meals e.g. breakfast, lunch and evening meal.
• Focus on providing a variety and balance of nutritious foods for all the family to enjoy
• Encourage all family members to sit and eat together as often as possible
• Get them involved in making the shopping list and deciding what meals are to be cooked for the week ahead.
If you do have concerns about his growth and development speak to your G.P

My teenager doesn’t eat a breakfast before school. What advice can I give them?
This is common in young people. Start with small goals
• Check that they aren't eating late at night as they may feel too full to eat in the morning
• Encourage him/her to consider having a breakfast twice a week to begin with.
• The night before place some choices on the table as a visual reminder e.g. banana, apple, plain pancake, cereal with milk, crackers or bread which can be toasted.
• If time is limited these can be eaten as a ‘Grab and go’ option
• Consider if there is a Breakfast Club at school
• If he/she hasn’t eaten a breakfast, encourage a mid-morning snack at school
If eating well at other meals, try not to pressurise or get into a battle. If you do have concerns about their health and eating habits speak to your G.P.

For more information:
British Dietetic Association https://www.bda.uk.com/food-health/fo...
NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/
Safefood – 101 square meals for recipes and food safety advice https://www.safefood.net/101-square-m... https://www.safefood.net/food-safety
Safefood Start campaign - https://www.safefood.net/campaigns/start
NHS Better Health healthier families - https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/
Choose to live better - https://www.choosetolivebetter.com/

The Public Health Dietitians Group (PHDG) Northern Ireland are a small group of Registered Dietitians, Nutritionists and support staff who work across the five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland, commissioned by the Public Health Agency.