Teens Need More Veggies

A recent study done in the United States has confirmed what  many people have suspected – that less than 10% of high school students in the USA are getting the daily recommended servings of fruit and vegetables.

The study was conducted in 2007 and was based off a report of around 100,000 high school students. They found that only 13% of the high school students get at least 3 servings of fruit and vegetables a day and only 32% get two servings of fruit. Less than 10% of the high school students got enough of both fruits and vegetables combined.  Some states such as Arkansas and North Carolina were way below these averages but other states like Vermont had a much higher percentage. It is possible that in the states that ranked higher had more farmers markets than most other states. Schools in the states that ranked the best were also more likely to have healthier food choices at the high schools.  A diet rich in fruits and vegetables keep your teen healthy by providing essential vitamins and nutrients to help their bodies function properly, provide antioxidants to fight off disease and will give them more energy throughout the day. It has been proven that teens who eat more fruits and vegetables are happier overall and have an easier time concentrating in class.

Make sure your teen is educated on the importance of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables every day and also make sure that you provide them with a healthy lunch, or that healthy foods are available at home for them to pack their own healthy lunch and snacks. Plan meals that are rich in fruits and vegetables and get them used to eating healthy so that it becomes a part of their daily routine.