You’re Starting to Prepare Your Own Meals: A Teen’s Guide to a Balanced Diet

When you were younger, a lot of decisions were made for you, like what you wore and who you spent time with. As you get older, you’ll get to start making some of your own decisions — including what to eat and drink.

Before you start thinking about eating pizza rolls for breakfast and ice cream for dinner, take a breath. This newfound freedom may mean you get to prepare meals that appeal to you, but it’s also important to consider how critical what you eat and drink is for your health.

Not providing your body with the right amount and quality of food is like forgetting to charge your phone, and then being stuck with a low battery. Your body needs energy to function properly and grow, and it gets that energy from what you eat and drink.

Plus, a healthy diet doesn’t just support your well-being now — it sets you up for a healthier life as an adult, too.

As you begin to prepare your own meals, you’ll be in charge of a major part of your well-being. Here’s a look at how what you eat impacts your health and what a balanced diet looks like.

preparing your own meals infographic


Do you have questions about how to maintain a balanced diet? Contact your pediatrician or ask your parent or guardian to set up an appointment.


NEW: Adolescent Medicine at Children’s

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Children’s Physicians has always treated adolescent patients. But to even further meet the unique needs of this age group, we have opened a new department focused solely on adolescent medicine.

Learn More About Adolescent Medicine at Children’s

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