Nutrition is a critical topic as it directly impacts teens’ health, well-being, and academic performance. The quality of food provided to teens can either promote healthy eating habits or contribute to dietary problems.
Many school cafeterias offer meals that are high in processed ingredients, sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats. One of the main reasons for this is budget constraints, which often lead to choosing cheaper, processed food options over healthier, fresh ingredients.
To better understand nutritional choices, meals in the Boone County District can be checked by visiting boone.nutrislice.com/menu.
It’s a valuable resource to help become aware of what is being put into the body.
Soft drinks, flavored milk, and sugary desserts contribute to excessive sugar intake which not only affects immediate energy levels but can also lead to long-term health issues such as obesity, diabetes and dental problems.
Many teenagers may not be aware of how much they eat, often leading to overeating.
Factors such as social situations, emotional eating and lack of mindfulness about portion sizes can contribute to this.
Highly processed foods such as pizza, pretzels, packaged bread, breakfast cereals, chips, and processed meats are common place at breakfast and lunch.
According to the Center of Disease Control, high amounts of sodium can cause high blood pressure which can lead to anxiety and depression, and increased risk of heart disease.
For instance, just one quarter of the recommended daily sodium intake (2,300 mg) is in a five count wing (570 mg) from the cafeteria at lunch.
Similarly, an egg and cheese croissant served for breakfast in the cafeteria also contains one quarter of the daily recommended sodium intake.
In contrast, fresh fruit and vegetables contain around 100 mg of sodium combined.
The Nutrition Source of Harvard emphasizes that unhealthy fats like fries, fast food, fried foods and chips can increase disease risk even if consumed in small quantities only.
Healthier fats found in foods like nuts, yogurt, fish, cheese, and other dairy products are much better choices.
Concluding what has been said, actively participating in understanding and improving nutritional choices through the awareness of food quality lays the groundwork for healthier habits that can benefit teens well beyond just school.
By choosing nutritious options and being mindful of what is being consumed, students don’t just enhance immediate health; they also pave the way for a lifetime of well-being and better performance in all aspects of life.
