Healthy eating is vital for the teenager’s health and well-being. The nutritional needs of adolescents vary tremendously, but generally increase due to rapid growth and changes in body composition that occur during puberty. Adequate nutrition is vital for ensuring overall emotional and physical health. Good eating habits help prevent chronic illness in the future, including obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Studies of nutrient intakes have shown that adolescents are likely to obtain less vitamin A, thiamine, iron, and calcium than recommended. They also ingest (consume) more fat, sugar, protein, and sodium than is currently thought to be optimal.

While concern is often expressed over the habit of eating between meals, it has been shown that teenagers obtain substantial nourishment from foods eaten outside of the traditional meals. The choice of foods they make is of greater importance than the time or place of eating. Emphasis should be placed on fresh vegetables and fruits as well as whole-grain products to complement the foods high in energy value and protein that they commonly choose.

Irregular meals and skipping meals: The numbers of meals teenagers miss and eat away from home increases from early adolescence to late adolescence, reflecting the growing need for independence and time away from home. The evening meal appears to be the most regularly eaten meal of the day. Girls are found to skip the evening meal, as well as breakfast and lunch, more often than boys.

Snacking is probably a survival technique for teens. Snacking does not have to be a bad habit. It can help maintain energy levels, particularly in active and growing adolescents. However, surviving only on snacks is harmful to health. Fast foods are often packed with fat and “empty calories”. We should make smart food choices even when visiting fast food restaurants.

Adolescents with normal weight often diet because of the perception that 'thin is in'. Girls are bombarded with messages from the media about thinness, images of what is considered a beautiful body, and ways to achieve a lower body-weight... Unsanctioned dieting can lead to dangerous outcomes including eating disorders.

One approach to overcome the problems related to dieting is to attempt to eliminate the term ‘diet’ and replace it with ‘healthy eating’. If you regularly incorporate healthy lifestyle and dietary practices into your life, you are less likely to diet on a consistent basis.