FCI Staff Writer Sacramento 
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August 16, 2021,
Young bodies can be very forgiving when it comes to what you consume.
Older bodies not so much.
Question for you as a young person. Just because your body will allow you to eat junk food, substances that you know are not good for it, but tasty to you, should you consume it?
The answer to the question becomes even more important if you are an athlete.
In terms of what to eat, let’s start with the basics.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (nutrition.gov), “Healthy eating is important at every age. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. When deciding what to eat or drink, choose options that are full of nutrients and limited in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.”
Good advice.
Yes, you’ve probably heard it all before but sometimes a reminder is helpful, especially on a hungry stomach.
You see, many teens are hearing, but apparently not listening.
As reported by CNN, “Ultra-processed foods — such as frozen pizza, microwave meals, packaged snacks and desserts — accounted for 67% of calories consumed in 2018, up from 61% in 1999, according to research published in the medical journal JAMA Tuesday.”
Their news team adds that children and teens in the United States now get more than two-thirds of their calories from ultra-processed foods, an analysis of almost two decades worth of data has found.
Given how competitive high school sports is becoming, in the arms race to get scholarships, good nutrition to aid in peak performances is more important than many think.
Frequent snacking among young people account for approximately two-thirds of their recommended daily limit of added sugar and one-third of the daily limit for solid fats and refined grains, according to information from an important National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) presented at Nutrition 2021 Live Online.
We would like to turn your attention to a dynamic group that is trying to reverse that trend.
Teen Athletes Prepare For Fall Sports With Good Nutrition, Physical Activity: Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics Celebrates Kids Eat Right Month™
News provided by
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Aug 04, 2021, 11:52 ET
CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As teen athletes start to return to fall sports and get excited watching the delayed 2020 Olympics underway in Tokyo, some of them might push themselves to the limit to get back into competition mode. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages parents and caregivers to guide teens on how to safely resume sports and properly fuel their bodies to continue growing and maturing.
In August, the Academy and its Foundation celebrate the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles for children and their families during the annual Kids Eat Right Month™.
“Proper nutrition aids in the development of healthy bones, increased endurance and muscle strength,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Julie Stefanski, a Baltimore-based Academy spokesperson. “The nutrition and physical activity recommendations for teen athletes differ based on the physical demands of the sport as well as the age and sex of the athlete.”
A registered dietitian nutritionist, especially one who is a specialist in sports nutrition, can provide individualized nutrition guidance for athletes, says Stefanski, who is a certified specialist in sports dietetics. RDNs are the food and nutrition experts.
Stefanski recommends that parents and caregivers brush up on nutrition and physical activity basics to help their teen resume their chosen sport:
Food Is Fuel
Daily meals should include high-quality calories from fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean protein foods and heart-healthy fats, Stefanski says. Eating a variety of healthful foods daily, and nutrient-rich snacks, helps athletes’ bodies repair, recover and refuel.
Teen athletes should eat carbohydrate-rich foods for energy and protein-rich foods to help build muscle. They should stay hydrated throughout the day and drink more fluids before, during and after a workout.
“Getting acclimated to the heat takes time so it’s important for coaches to prioritize water breaks, and emphasize the importance of fluid intake,” Stefanski says.
Start Those Engines
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many teens have not participated in as much physical activity over the past year. Even if not all sports resume this fall, older children and adolescents should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2nd ed.).
“Teens should listen to their bodies when resuming their exercise routines. Encourage them to take it slow to rebuild their endurance and strength and avoid injuries,” Stefanski says.
“With proper guidance, teens can practice strength, or resistance training, with free weights, elastic bands or tubes, weight machines or their own body weight. Strength training not only improves body composition and cardiac fitness, but it also improves bone density.”
For more information, see the Kids Eat Right Month Media Materials for the 2021 campaign graphic, infographics and more information. To find a registered dietitian nutritionist near you, use the Academy’s online Find a Nutrition Expert service.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity dedicated exclusively to supporting nutrition and dietetics professionals by empowering them to help consumers live healthier lifestyles. It makes an impact with Academy members and throughout the profession with its scholarships, awards, research grants, fellowships, public education programs and disaster relief efforts. Through philanthropy, the Foundation empowers current and future food and nutrition practitioners to optimize global health. Visit the Foundation at www.eatrightFoundation.org.
SOURCE Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Related Links
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OPENING PHOTO fcielitecompetitor.com fciwomenswrestling2.com articles, grapplingstars.com femcompetitor.com Kampus-Production-pexels.com-photo-credit.
https://www.nutrition.gov/topics/nutrition-age/teens
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/10/health/ultra-processed-food-kids-teens-diet-wellness/index.html
https://www.fcielitecompetitor.com/
https://fciwomenswrestling.com/
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