Life can be tough for busy parents, especially while trying to hold down a career and take care of a family at once. When you’re exhausted at the end of a tough day, picking up fast food is easier than making a healthy dinner. A little junk food won’t hurt anyone once in a while, but if left unchecked, it’s easy for these occasional indulgences to become regular habits. If you’re not inspiring your teen to eat healthy, who will?

Developing a Healthy Brain with Nutritious Food

While junk food might be convenient, it can also be detrimental to your child’s health and development. A teen’s brain is growing rapidly, and without a regular dose of nutrition, it will struggle. In a 2011 study, the relationship between fast-food consumption and test scores in reading and math were analyzed. Over 12,000 children were included in the study. It was found that those who ate four to six servings of fast food every week had lower math and reading scores than those who ate a healthier diet.

Unhealthy Foods: The Damaging Effects on Teen Self Esteem

A teen’s brain is not yet capable of making the best choices. This is why teen issues happen so regularly. Some behavioral rebellion is expected even for a healthy teen, but when the human brain doesn’t get the nutrition it needs, it’s difficult to concentrate on schoolwork. A teen might become hyperactive, get diagnosed with a disorder and even be medicated without anyone ever examining the diet. Ongoing behavioral issues and repeatedly getting in trouble for the behavior can severely lower teen self esteem. On top of that, a poor diet can lead to weight gain, dental problems, skin breakouts and other issues that can make teens feel badly about themselves.

Helping Teens Thrive with Nutrition

As a parent, it’s your responsibility to provide your children with everything they need to thrive. Try to provide a healthy, home-cooked meal each night, and if that’s impossible, be sure to stock the kitchen with plenty of fresh produce, healthy grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.