There are many bad habits among teenagers that must be changed. For example, many teenagers don't eat breakfast. Yet, breakfast is an important meal of the day because it is essential for our health.

Many Teenagers often dine out and consume fast and junk food.

This kind of food often includes :

• hamburgers that provide a lot of calories and salt;

• crisps or French fries that are rich in saturated fat and salt;

• sugary snacks, rich in calories;

• soft drinks ( such as Coke, Red bull, Fanta, etc.) that are rich in sugar, caffeine and additives which can cause obesity and other health problems.

JUNK FOOD

Junk foods are foods that are rich in saturated fat, added sugar, carbohydrates and are devoid of essential nutrients.

These foods are processed and enriched with additives and other chemicals that make them very palatable, up to create addiction. Junk food includes packaged or non-packaged food products such as French fries, pizza, burgers, cakes, candies and sugary snacks and drinks such as coke, red bull, soda, etc.

THE DISADVANTAGES OF CONSUMING JUNK FOOD

The main disadvantages are that they increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, depression, cancer and other metabolic disorders, but they also may cause a real addiction to junk food. In fact, the presence of fat and sugar in these foods stimulate the production of dopamine, which causes a sense of happiness when we eat them. So, we need to avoid this food and we must choose healthy food.

JUNK FOOD VS HEALTHY FOOD

But what is the difference between junk food and healthy food?

Junk food is rich in simple carbohydrates, refined sugar, salt and saturated fat and It is often consumed because it is cheap and convenient for travelling.

Healthy food, instead, means eating fresh, natural products like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and good fats that provide essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber that are important to prevent diseases.

Fibre, in particular, lowers the level of cholesterol and glucose in the blood. Healthy food also promotes the development of the body tissues, the cell regeneration and the proper functioning of the nervous system.

HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR TEENS

Healthy eating along with physical activity helps us to decrease the risk of diseases such as diabetis or heart diseases.

Breakfast is very important because it provides energy. Most teens, instead, often skip it.

There are many foods that are healthy such as fruit and vegetables as they contain nutrients such as water, sugar, vitamin C, proteins that we find in meat and fish, calcium ( in dairy products) and fiber.

Teenagers have to do lots of physycal activity because it is important to control our weight, to strenghten our muscles and it is also good for our mind.

We also need to drink water because it is good for our body and health.

webgrafia:

Stefania Tatulli: https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-foods-every-teen-should-avoid-3572266

https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/junk-food-vs-healthy-food-advantages-disadvantages-and-healthier-food-choices

Angelo De Bari: https://www.verywellhealth.com/teens-bad-food-habits-2610256

https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-foods-every-teen-should-avoid-3572266

https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=638&language=English

Roberto Tesoro: https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-foods-every-teen-should-avoid-3572266

Isabella Centrone: https://toodlehub.com/healthy-eating-habits-for-teens/

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/take-charge-health-guide-teenagers

Created by De Bari Angelo, Tesoro Roberto, Tatulli Stefania, Centrone Isabella. Leader/Coordinatore del gruppo: Stefania Tatulli.