Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves coming up with a
SIMPLE way to help your teen athlete eat healthier.
This message will NOT self-destruct in 5 seconds.
As a parent, that IS your mission—whether or not you accept it. And it might seem to be, everything, but simple.
Between the junk food that always seems to be present, the fast-paced lifestyle that many teens choose, and the conflicting information on what healthy eating REALLY looks like, it can seem like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.
One way to bring clarity to this challenge is to understand the definition of nutrient-dense foods.
They are real foods—not chemically processed. Generally, very rich in necessary vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and healthy fats.
Choosing foods that are HIGH in nutrient-density is a similar notion to “getting the most bang for your buck.” It’s all about consuming foods that give you the most amount of health benefits, with the least amount of caloric intake.
With that in mind let’s take a look at 5 nutrient-dense foods, what they offer, and easy ways to incorporate them into your teen’s weekly snacks and meals.
1) Berries—Nature’s Candy
Getting your athlete to eat more berries, is probably not THAT difficult because these colorful fruits satisfy the need for something sweet—and most teens are regularly reaching for sweet.
But don’t underestimate the power of nature’s answer to candy. Thanks to a large dose of phytochemicals called anthocyanins, berries can boost athletic health in these ways:
- Quicker recovery due to anti-inflammatory properties
- Helps keep blood sugar levels more balanced, so there is no “crashing” during practice
- Improved memory
Besides packing them as a snack, you could try this “fun breakfast,” to start the day off right.
Overnight Oats