Eating healthy will not only improve your child’s physical health but their mental health as well. There are many elements of a healthy lifestyle that go hand-in-hand, for example healthy eating and exercising, but without a diet full of veggies, fruits, proteins and grains (and some dessert from time to time) they won’t have enough energy to get outside and play. Here’s why healthy eating is important to your teen’s health.
Manages Depression and Anxiety
Eating healthy foods fuels our bodies and keeps our energy levels high. We may want to dive into the chips and ice cream when feeling depressed or stressed out, but these sugary and fatty foods just make us lethargic and sick. By fuelling our bodies, we can have enough energy to get outdoors, exercise, participate in school and do other activities that keep our mind sharp.
Forms Healthy Eating Habits
Forming healthy eating habits at a young age can reduce a teen’s chance of developing an eating disorder during their teen and/or adult years. Try not to label foods as “good” and “bad” for you, to avoid binge eating or feeling guilty when you eat a treat.
Strengthens Relationships
Families are busy and it can be a challenge to get everyone around the dinner table at 6 p.m. But studies show that regular family meals improve a teen’s health, confidence, and motivation. Spending quality time together also strengthens relationships and trust within the family.
Image Gail
Improved Mood
Eating healthy foods can boost mood and reduce the risk of developing depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. All the vitamins and minerals in your healthy diet are absorbed into your body and help boost serotonin—a naturally produced feel-good drug—levels in the brain. Increased levels of serotonin also help reduce stress and anxiety.
So take a look into your cupboards and see what foods are building you and your teen up—along with what foods are just weighing you down. Dedicating time and consideration to discovering what is right for your body will help create healthy, positive habits for the future.
Featured image Amanda Tipton
